News & Events
April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023
Naming system for transfer RNA fragments will increase research productivity, standardization
April 12, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Todd Lowe and his group created a new naming scheme for tRNA fragments aimed at standardizing research.
Colombian all-female team uncovers naturalist Elizabeth Kerr’s long-forgotten legacy
April 11, 2023
Many fields of study have long been dominated by men but a team of eight female Colombian researchers are committed to uncovering the story of naturalist pioneer Elizabeth Kerr, whose legacy had remained invisible despite her vast contributions to ornithology.
Two major stem cell research projects supported with more than $2.6 million in funding
April 6, 2023
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will provide more than $2.6 million in total funding for two major stem cell research projects led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz, the organization announced.
Milestone land acknowledgement event brings campus, local tribe and community members together
April 4, 2023
On Wednesday, April 12, the campus will host its first Land Acknowledgment event, recognizing the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and its place in the local history of the land and the creation of UC Santa Cruz. The event will aim to answer the community’s questions about land acknowledgments, and the importance of such events moving forward.
New program advises UCSC Ph.D. students on their path to entrepreneurship and venture capital
March 30, 2023
Many student-led innovations never make it out of the lab. A new program at UC Santa Cruz aims to change that by mentoring Ph.D. students in the life sciences on alternative career pathways outside academia: entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Humans and housing density are the leading cause of death for local pumas
March 27, 2023
Two new studies involving UC Santa Cruz researchers are shedding light on the challenges facing local pumas where humans are encroaching on their natural habitats.
Pedroza received Russell Sage Foundation Pipeline Grant
March 25, 2023
Assistant Professor Juan Manuel Pedroza aims to learn more about these challenges and speak to them, with the help of a recently awarded grant from the Russell Sage Foundation.
Grant funds Sarker's aquaculture sustainability research
March 25, 2023
Pallab Sarker received a foundation grant fund from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, amounting to $170,947 over three years to strengthen his lab’s ecological aquaculture work.
JWST’s first direct spectrum of planetary-mass object reveals dynamic atmosphere
March 22, 2023
The most detailed spectrum ever for a planetary-mass object outside our solar system covers an unprecedented range of wavelengths, providing a wealth of new insights.
Computer engineering research prompts bug fixes, updates to major GPU frameworks
March 21, 2023
A new suite of GPU tests developed by Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Tyler Sorensen and his students led to changes to an important GPU framework for programming web browsers.
Scientists, policy leaders, and insurance experts meet to address climate risks
March 21, 2023
The Coastal Climate Resilience Symposium held at the Seymour Center focused on integrating nature-based solutions into risk management and insurance.
Collaboration with NASA uses eDNA technology to monitor biodiversity
March 21, 2023
UCSC scientists collected environmental DNA samples in South Africa as part of the BioSCape project.
Young Supernova Experiment releases first set of transient survey data
March 15, 2023
UC Santa Cruz astronomers organized the survey, which has discovered thousands of cosmic explosions and other transient events of interest to astronomers and astrophysicists.
Researcher solves nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma
March 14, 2023
Dejan Milutinovic has solved a nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma called the wall pursuit game, with implications for better reasoning about autonomous systems such as driverless vehicles.
Minke whales are as small as a lunge-feeding baleen whale can be
March 13, 2023
Research on the feeding behavior of Antarctic minke whales found that a smaller whale could not capture enough food to survive using the lunge-feeding strategy of baleen whales.
Winning Grad Slam presentation highlights disease threat to Hawaiian birds
March 13, 2023
Ecology and evolutionary biology graduate student Christa Seidl will compete in the UC systemwide Grad Slam in May, presenting her research on avian malaria.
Where is your squid coming from? Most likely unregulated waters, according to a new international study
March 10, 2023
Scientists and policymakers have voiced growing concerns about the decline of global squid stocks, but little has been done to date to target squid fishing activities that are expanding into unregulated spaces, according to a new international study.
New project will develop safer, highly accurate GPS alternative
March 9, 2023
Ricardo Sanfelice, UCSC professor of electrical and computer engineering, and his team of graduate students and researchers are designing a new and resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system.
First images released from James Webb Space Telescope’s largest general observer program
March 9, 2023
Mosaic images from the COSMOS-Web program offer a treasure trove of early galaxies, including dazzling examples of spiral galaxies, gravitational lensing, and evidence of galaxy mergers.
Marine mammal reproduction rests on a precarious tipping point of ocean resources
March 8, 2023
A study of northern elephant seals reveals a threshold at which a small decrease in the amount of prey females can find during foraging migrations could lead to a sudden drop in reproductive success.
SpikeGPT: researcher releases code for largest-ever spiking neural network for language generation
March 7, 2023
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jason Eshraghian and two students recently released the open-sourced code for the largest language-generating spiking neural network ever, named SpikeGPT.
Graphene quantum dots show promise as novel magnetic field sensors
March 6, 2023
Physicists found that speeding electrons trapped in circular loops in graphene quantum dots are highly sensitive to external magnetic fields.
Shrinking age distribution of spawning salmon raises climate resilience concerns
February 27, 2023
Study suggests changes in hatchery practices could help increase population stability for Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon, the backbone of California’s salmon fishery.
Major expansion of Lick Observatory education programs will benefit Bay Area students
February 21, 2023
Scientific Teaching through Astronomy Research (STARs), a suite of new outreach and education programs at UC’s Lick Observatory, will reach a diverse population of K-12 and college-age students.
RNA Rescue challenge invites players to solve puzzles and advance RNA therapeutics
February 21, 2023
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new puzzle challenge for the online game Eterna, enlisting players to help design a novel RNA drug to treat hemophilia A.
UCSC professor building collaborations to shape future minds through ethnic studies
February 15, 2023
Many believe we are at a pivotal moment in this country regarding anti-racist reforms, police abolition, and restorative justice. And according to Rekia Jibrin, an assistant professor in critical studies of education within UC Santa Cruz’s Education Department, engaging local communities is vital to bringing about transformative change.
Bots and Broadway: Technology and theater go hand-in-hand for UCSC professor
February 9, 2023
Using AI-generated text to produce dialogue during a live performance may seem like a wild idea to some, but not to performance and new media professor Marianne Weems. Weems, co-founder and artistic director of New York-based multi-dimensional theater company The Builders Association, is used to pushing the envelope with her ground-breaking work at the intersection of technology, media, and theater arts.
Funding opportunity to develop university innovations
February 3, 2023
The Innovation & Business Engagement Hub is now accepting applications for its new Innovation Catalyst Grant; a proof-of-concept program focused on providing targeted gap funding, training, mentorship, and support to UC Santa Cruz researchers in order to help de-risk and/or validate the implementation and adoption potential of early-stage technology innovations.
UC Santa Cruz leads DOE program to train computational high-energy physicists
February 3, 2023
The Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) at UC Santa Cruz is leading a consortium of western research universities and national laboratories in a new program to train the next generation of computational high-energy physicists.
Astronomers observe light bending around an isolated white dwarf
February 2, 2023
The first detection of gravitational lensing for a single, isolated star other than our sun comes 100 years after a landmark experiment using the sun to confirm Einstein’s prediction.
Three UCSC faculty win prestigious NSF CAREER awards
February 1, 2023
The CAREER Awards are NSF's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.
University launches new center, Campus + Community, to facilitate engaged scholarship
January 31, 2023
After more than 50 years of engagement in the region, UC Santa Cruz is launching a new center to coordinate campus and community connections for action-oriented scholarship that advances social justice.
Disclosing foreign collaborations in research projects
January 30, 2023
In order to comply with evolving federal regulations related to disclosing foreign collaborations and other support, the Office of Research has updated Cayuse to include screening questions. These questions are meant to trigger information that needs to be disclosed on all applications and progress reports for projects with federal funding.
NIH grant funds research on a powerful new approach to drug development
January 30, 2023
A new NIH MIRA grant funds biochemist Scott Lokey’s efforts to develop complex, membrane-permeable molecules as next-generation therapeutic agents.
Five student teams embark on tech for social good projects
January 23, 2023
Five student teams will take on tech for social good projects with funding from the UCSC CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and the UCSC Institute for Social Transformation.
Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies
January 23, 2023
Data from Antarctica show more humpback whales get pregnant after years with abundant krill than after years when krill were less plentiful.
UCSC leads new multicampus initiatives on climate change and bilingualism
January 23, 2023
UC Santa Cruz faculty are leading two new collaborative programs funded by grants from UC’s Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI) program.
Vulnerability of red sea urchins to climate change depends on location
January 20, 2023
Scientists found that red sea urchin populations are adapted to local environments, but some populations will suffer more than others as conditions change in the future.
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences to open new, off campus galleries
January 17, 2023
The state-of-the-art facility will showcase the Institute of the Arts and Sciences’ groundbreaking exhibitions and programs, highlighting the work of major national and international artists working to address the most pressing issues of our day at the intersection of the arts and social justice.
Researchers produce first-ever toolkit for RNA sequencing analysis using a ‘pantranscriptome’
January 17, 2023
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz introduce the first-ever method for analyzing RNA sequencing data genome-wide using a “pantranscriptome.”
Study finds active galactic nuclei are even more powerful than thought
January 16, 2023
A new study indicates that scientists have substantially underestimated the energy output of active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes because their light is dimmed by dust.
Sensorium, a new project of UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure, to be an unprecedented experience of the world ocean
January 12, 2023
A new project in development by UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure will give the public a transformative opportunity to interact with the world’s ocean ecosystem in a fully immersive work of environmental art entitled Sensorium.
Earth scientist James Zachos honored for climate change research
January 11, 2023
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Climate Change category recognizes Zachos and fellow paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas of Yale University.
Astronomers find the most distant stars in our galaxy halfway to Andromeda
January 9, 2023
A search for variable stars called RR Lyrae has found some of the most distant stars in the Milky Way’s halo a million light years away.
Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age, study finds
December 26, 2022
By reconstructing the sea level history of the Bering Strait, scientists found that the strait remained flooded until around 35,700 years ago, not long before humans began migrating into the Americas.
UCSC researcher explores drug use, harm reduction in San Francisco’s Latino/x community
December 17, 2022
It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has devastated our country, especially within communities of color. Latino/xs have seen some of the highest drug addiction rates, which have only increased due to the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, San Francisco was the county with the third-highest opioid-related death rate among Latinos in California.
New study presents vision of machine learning leveraged for precision medicine
December 16, 2022
In a new perspective published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics Marcella Gomez details a vision for how the field can move beyond static data to create systems that measure and monitor the real-time responses of the body to a variety of factors and use a machine learning algorithm to produce, and even in some instances carry out, a treatment plan.
Biochemist Laura Sanchez receives Allen Distinguished Investigator award
December 15, 2022
Sanchez is among 16 new Allen Distinguished Investigators awarded a total of $10 million in research funding to support cutting-edge projects in protein lifespan and nutrient sensing.
Breaking up is hard to do: Separation of Fiji and Vanuatu tied to Samoan seamounts
December 14, 2022
New analyses of volcanic rock samples collected in the 1980s link the geologic histories of these South Pacific islands to explain their current locations and character.
UC Santa Cruz scholar receives major new grant to support inclusive community development throughout California
December 13, 2022
As state and federal agencies are investing increasing funding in pandemic recovery, infrastructure development and initiatives to address climate change, a collaboration of renowned scholars led by UC Santa Cruz are working with community groups to ensure equity and inclusion are at the heart of these efforts.
Social Sciences dean wins prestigious research award, visiting fellowship in Germany
December 9, 2022
Social Sciences dean Katharyne Mitchell will be busy packing her bags for the holidays, but not for the reason you may think. She’s heading to Göttingen, Germany, as a visiting scholar for the next six months at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Economic Diversity.
Astronomers report most distant known galaxies, detected and confirmed by Webb telescope
December 9, 2022
Spectroscopic observations with the James Webb Space Telescope confirm four early galaxies dating back to less than 400 million years after the Big Bang, three of which are the most distant confirmed to date.
Colombia, a global biodiversity hotspot, faces rising threats to bird species from expanding human footprint
December 7, 2022
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters used satellite mapping data to analyze how changes in human footprint on the landscape between 1970 and 2018 overlapped with distributions of 1,469 Colombian bird species. The study is the first of its kind to expand focus from forested regions, like the Amazon and Chocó, to all of Colombia’s terrestrial habitats.
Computer engineer embarks on bold project for a new vision of distributed shared memory
December 6, 2022
With the support of a new NSF grant, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Peter Alvaro is embarking on a project, called Memory at Scale On Networks (MaSON), to achieve a bold vision for a novel operating system and network that support a new overall model for programming big data systems.
Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative secures planning grant for six-county region
December 6, 2022
Spurred by California’s Regional K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program, educational leaders from Santa Cruz to Ventura formed the Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative to address the urgent, systemic educational inequities and economic needs in the region.
Undergraduates in UC Santa Cruz’s Human Rights Investigations Lab fight for migrant rights
December 6, 2022
UC Santa Cruz’s Human Rights Investigations Lab, housed in the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas, has been assisting those seeking asylum in the United States and fighting back against the controversial Title 42 immigration policy.
Integrated platform promises to accelerate drug discovery process
December 1, 2022
Novel approach integrates complex datasets from screening of natural products libraries, improving characterization of bioactive molecules and their mechanisms of action.
Long-standing genomic mystery about the origins of introns explained in new study
November 29, 2022
A new study led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) points to introners, one of several proposed mechanisms for the creation of introns, as an explanation for the origins of most introns across species.
Braingeneers develop novel method to automate the growth of brain tissue organoids on a chip
November 28, 2022
A team of engineers and scientists at UC Santa Cruz has developed a new method for remote automation of the growth of cerebral organoids – miniature, three-dimensional models of brain tissue grown from stem cells.
New JWST data reveal more details of exoplanet WASP-39b's atmosphere
November 22, 2022
A 'mystery molecule' seen in the initial spectrum has been identified as sulfur dioxide produced by photochemical reactions in the planet's atmosphere.
Batalha testifies at Congressional hearing on the initial scientific findings of the JWST
November 22, 2022
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most powerful telescope humans have sent to space and, Batalha asserts, it is ushering in a new era of exoplanet science.
Growing Our Own - From research opportunities to the professoriate
November 22, 2022
Solidifying its commitment to increasing the diversity of its faculty, both underrepresented minorities and female faculty, last year, the University of California launched the Growing Our Own initiative.
Webb telescope draws back the curtain on universe’s early galaxies
November 17, 2022
Initial findings from JWST Early Release Science programs include the discovery of two exceptionally bright galaxies in the early universe.
Offshore wind farms may harm seabirds, but scientists see potential for net positive impact
November 17, 2022
A new study presents a framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds.
Remote-controlled microscopes bring complex biology education to students worldwide
November 16, 2022
As detailed in new research, UC Santa Cruz researchers have developed a method for using remote-controlled, internet-connected microscopes to enable students anywhere in the world to participate in designing and carrying out biology experiments.
UC Santa Cruz earns Agricultural Experiment Station designation
November 16, 2022
The designation marks more than 50 years of industry-leading research in organic agriculture and sustainable farming practices at the campus and opens doors to expand community impact.
UCSC marine sciences professor to lead new Center for Coastal Climate Resilience
November 14, 2022
Longtime UC Santa Cruz marine sciences professor Michael W. Beck is adding a new role to his resume: director of the campus’ recently announced Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.
Engineer deploys research on 'mud batteries' for powering sustainable agriculture
November 14, 2022
UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Colleen Josephson published new research on the current state and future potential of microbial fuel cells for powering sustainable agriculture systems.
UCSC scientists find microplastics in Monterey Bay water, anchovies, and seabirds
November 14, 2022
Microparticles recovered from some seabirds exhibited estrogenic activity with potential to disrupt hormone functions.
Death of a star reveals midsize black hole lurking in a dwarf galaxy
November 10, 2022
By studying intermediate-mass black holes, scientists hope to improve their understanding of the growth of supermassive black holes in massive galaxies.
UCSC researchers win NOAA grants to study climate change patterns in California's marine sanctuaries
November 9, 2022
Two UC Santa Cruz researchers will be delving deeper into coastal and climate resiliency efforts within California's marine sanctuaries as part of two recent grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Report outlines plans for major research effort on subduction zone geologic hazards
November 7, 2022
An ambitious interdisciplinary initiative aims to advance understanding of the processes that trigger earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions where tectonic plates converge.
Global analysis shows where fishing vessels turn off their identification devices
November 2, 2022
A new dataset of intentional disabling of Automatic Identification System devices by fishing vessels provides insights into illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity.
Physicist Jairo Velasco Jr. wins $1.25 million award from Moore Foundation
October 27, 2022
The Moore Foundation’s Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative supports outstanding U.S. experimental physicists pursuing transformative research.
Social Documentation MFAs to share thesis documentaries at live screening event November 9
October 25, 2022
UC Santa Cruz’s annual Social Documentation (SocDoc) exhibition returns live and in person for the first time since 2019, free to the public this November 9th from 7-10pm at the Del Mar Theatre in downtown Santa Cruz.
Food system researcher unpacks the narratives driving a race for new protein sources
October 20, 2022
UC Santa Cruz professor and food system expert Julie Guthman's latest paper explores the cultural mythologies around protein that are being spread through marketing and fundraising efforts for novel protein products.
Research to identify biological hotspots in the oceans will help reduce human impacts
October 19, 2022
A grant from the Office of Naval Research funds research using elephant seals to find marine hotspots while providing support for undergraduate researchers, an assessment of ethical considerations, and training to create inclusive environments for field research.
UCSC faculty, staff, and students support Salton Sea restoration planning
October 19, 2022
An independent review panel supported by UC Santa Cruz recently completed its work evaluating restoration options to address environmental, public health, and economic issues in the Salton Sea region.
Student researchers investigate toxic lead exposure in golden eagles
October 18, 2022
A gift from the Webster Foundation to UCSC’s Predatory Bird Research Group supports student interns helping to study lead poisoning in eagles and monitor peregrine falcons.
National Science Foundation grant will help establish ethics and equity best practices for emerging forms of science and technology
October 17, 2022
Sociology Professor Jenny Reardon, founding director of the Science & Justice Research Center at UC Santa Cruz, won a nearly $400,000 grant to study ethics and equity in the design of science and engineering projects.
micha cárdenas wins prestigious Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize from National Women's Studies Association
October 17, 2022
UC Santa Cruz Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Performance, Play and Design, and Associate Professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Dr. micha cárdenas has been awarded the National Women's Studies Association’s Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize for her book Poetic Operations: Trans of Color Art in Digital Media.
Biomolecular engineering professor wins American Cancer Society award to develop technology for cancer early detection
October 12, 2022
Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Daniel Kim won a four-year, $792,000 Research Scholar award from the American Cancer Society to support his work in developing RNA liquid biopsy technology to diagnose cancer early on.
UC Santa Cruz named 2022 Fulbright HSI Leader
October 11, 2022
UC Santa Cruz has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader for the second year in a row by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Unseen California arts initiative uses NRS reserves as canvas
October 10, 2022
A new arts initiative aims to connect both professional artists and UC students with the UC Natural Reserve System.
Applications now available for the 2023 UCSC CIDER Pilot Training Program
October 6, 2022
The UCSC CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research has opened applications for the 2023 Drone Pilot Training and Mentoring Program.
Research on shear strength of rock has implications for carbon sequestration
October 5, 2022
With a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Energy, seismologist Emily Brodsky will address seismic challenges involved in carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and other areas.
Honoring our innovative and creative faculty
October 4, 2022
The Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards is a new program that celebrates our talented faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners for their outstanding contributions to innovation and creativity that catalyze transformative change and societal impact.
UCSC welcomes 41 outstanding new faculty members
October 4, 2022
With the start of the 2022-23 academic year, UC Santa Cruz welcomes 41 new senate faculty members. The research and creative scholarship and expertise brought to our campus by these new faculty colleagues will strengthen existing areas of work and open discovery opportunities.
Collaboration between engineering and astrophysics will develop cutting-edge spectrometers-on-a-chip
September 28, 2022
Two researchers have won an NSF grant that will allow them to pursue the emerging technology of spectrometers on a chip – tiny devices for separating and measuring light at ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths which can enable advances in astronomy when used as part of telescope instrumentation.
UCSC chemistry department garners three NIH MIRA grants
September 23, 2022
These grants provide five years of funding for research programs at UCSC on protein synthesis, biosynthetic strategies, and biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer.
UC Santa Cruz’s Research Center for the Americas to be named in honor of Dolores Huerta
September 21, 2022
UC Santa Cruz will rename the Research Center for the Americas, which is celebrating 30 years of groundbreaking research, in honor of social justice icon Dolores Huerta, whose legacy has influenced the center’s work and values.
Saturn’s rings and tilt could be the product of an ancient, missing moon
September 16, 2022
A “grazing encounter” may have smashed the moon to bits to form Saturn’s rings, a new study suggests.
Record of Antarctic ice sheet response to climate cycles found in rock samples
September 15, 2022
The effects of global climate cycles on Southern Ocean temperatures drove cycles of melting and freezing in the East Antarctic Ice Sheet every few thousand years, according to a new study.
Study reveals the molecular origin of the genetic disease cystinosis
September 15, 2022
New understanding of how the transporter protein cystinosin functions may lead to better treatments for a devastating genetic disease.
UC Santa Cruz recognized for longstanding commitment to undergraduate teaching in latest rankings
September 12, 2022
UC Santa Cruz is ranked among the top 10 public universities for excellence in undergraduate teaching, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report. UCSC also ranked as a leading university for social mobility and among top public universities.
Innovative climate resilience projects supported by 2022 CITRIS Campus Seed Funding awards
September 8, 2022
Four winning projects have been funded through the The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz’s Campus Seed Funding program to pursue research relating to climate resilience.
UCSC partners in NSF research hub to use nature to protect coastal communities
September 7, 2022
A $20 million NSF grant funds the new Climate Risks and Equitable Nature-based Solutions Hub, focusing on coral reef and mangrove ecosystems.
With Pivot Fellowship, astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska turns to oceanography
September 7, 2022
A new program from the Simons Foundation supports successful researchers who have a deep interest, curiosity, and drive to make contributions to a new discipline.
New study confirms ‘rippled sheet’ protein structure predicted in 1953
September 2, 2022
UCSC scientists reported three crystal structures of periodic rippled beta sheets, a novel protein structure with potential applications in biomedicine and materials science.
NASA releases Webb telescope's first exoplanet image
September 1, 2022
UCSC astronomers led the analysis of the first exoplanet images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Applied mathematician wins DOE grant to improve the safety of particle accelerators
August 31, 2022
UCSC Professor of Applied Mathematics Dongwook Lee has won a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which will fund his research on improving computer models for safety mechanisms within particle accelerators.
New book explores citizenship rights and Black anti-racist politics in Italy
August 31, 2022
Associate Professor of Sociology Camilla Hawthorne’s latest book, Contesting Race and Citizenship, explores how Black Italians are fighting for change against the country’s restrictive citizenship laws.
JWST makes first unequivocal detection of carbon dioxide in an exoplanet atmosphere
August 25, 2022
UCSC astronomer Natalie Batalha leads a team that detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-39b using the James Webb Space Telescope.
Political parties use gerrymandering to counteract shifting voter preferences in key battleground states
August 25, 2022
Research that focused on battleground states suggests that whichever party controls the redistricting process in the state legislature engineers an 11 percentage point increase in its probability of winning a U.S. House race in the next election. And these advantages often run counter to the will of voters.
Missing carbon monoxide in planetary disks was hiding in the ice
August 22, 2022
In planetary disks, carbon monoxide is lurking in large chunks of ice, solving the decade-old question, ‘Where is the CO?’
Economics Professor Robert Fairlie takes home the Bradford-Osborne Research Award for the second year in a row
August 19, 2022
The annual award recognizes the best peer-reviewed paper on diversity and entrepreneurship, and Fairlie was honored for his years-long research on the lack of access to capital for Black-owned startups compared to white-owned startups.
Envisioning food systems change with new Center for Agroecology Executive Director Darryl Wong
August 11, 2022
The UC Santa Cruz news team interviewed the Center for Agroecology's new executive director, Darryl Wong, to learn more about the center’s goals for the future and the perspective he’ll bring to the role.
Incoming UC Santa Cruz class exemplifies academic excellence and diversity
August 10, 2022
UC Santa Cruz anticipates welcoming approximately 5,100 new Banana Slugs this fall, concluding an admissions cycle that reflected increased interest in the campus. Campus leaders are carefully managing student enrollment and working to provide more on-campus housing for students because of a statewide housing crisis that is particularly difficult in Santa Cruz.
Locally supportive climates may do little to aid mental health for LGBTQ+ youth amidst broader societal stigma
August 8, 2022
New research shows little difference in mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth between some of California's most and least supportive communities for sexual and gender diversity. The findings also indicate factors that may contribute to this trend.
UC Santa Cruz teams with TiE Global to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life
July 28, 2022
UC Santa Cruz and TiE Global are establishing the Destination Silicon Valley program to leverage the Silicon Valley presence of both organizations and create new learning opportunities for university-based entrepreneurs from across the world, including University of California students and innovators, and others from TiE’s 59 chapters.
Data from elephant seals reveal new features of marine heatwave ‘the Blob’
July 28, 2022
Instruments carried by migrating elephant seals measured deep warm-water anomalies that lasted much longer than the surface warming.
Eric Palkovacs appointed Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives
July 26, 2022
Center for Reimagining Leadership
July 26, 2022
Center for Reimagining Leadership has been established, effective July 1, 2022. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will be the faculty director of the center.
Hallmark cancer gene regulates RNA ‘dark matter’
July 19, 2022
A new study finds that a key genetic mutation that occurs early on in cancer alters RNA “dark matter” and causes the release of previously unknown RNA biomarkers for cancer early detection.
Researchers track juvenile elephant seals for insights into mortality rates
July 19, 2022
An outreach program to bring science and scientists into K-12 classrooms is part of a study investigating the differences between male and female elephant seals.
UC-HBCU grants support UCSC faculty collaborations with HBCUs
July 18, 2022
A summer research program and a historical archaeology course won funding from a UC initiative to support partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
DOE supports UCSC ‘spin chemistry’ research with $1.2 million grant
July 15, 2022
Chemistry Professor Yuan Ping leads a project to develop computational tools for spin dynamics applications in chemistry and materials science.
Alternate reality game launching Fall ‘22 will measure resilience of first-year students
July 12, 2022
“LUX,” a non-traditional research project to measure the resilience of its players, will officially launch this fall, recruiting participants from the incoming first-year class..
New study dives deep into the sustainability of an alternative aquaculture feed ingredient
July 12, 2022
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a new life cycle sustainability assessment documenting the environmental benefits and impacts of using the marine microalga Schizochytrium sp. to replace fish oil as an ingredient in aquaculture feed.
Narwhals show physiological disruption in response to seismic survey ship noise
July 8, 2022
Scientists deployed monitoring devices on narwhals to record heart rates, breathing, and diving behavior during seismic air gun pulses from a ship in the fjords of Greenland.
UCSC scholars join researchers statewide on a massive genomic study of California’s biodiversity
July 6, 2022
The California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP) is a state-funded initiative with a single goal: to produce the most comprehensive, multispecies genomic dataset ever assembled to help manage regional biodiversity.
Two from UC Santa Cruz awarded Fulbright grants
July 6, 2022
Two PhD candidates at UC Santa Cruz have been offered prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Destruction and recovery of kelp forests driven by changes in sea urchin behavior
June 29, 2022
A long-term study of kelp forest dynamics on California’s Central Coast highlights the critical role of sea urchin behavior, not just the size of the urchin population.
Autistic adults have become increasingly visible in media, books, television, and more in the past decade, but challenges with representation persist
June 29, 2022
Researchers documented a shift toward more numerical representation for adults in popular portrayals of autism, which have historically focused on children.
These red flags can let you know when you’re in an online echo chamber
June 28, 2022
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have identified specific elements of tone and style in online speech that are linked to hyperpartisan echo chambers. These language markers could also prove useful for flagging spaces where disinformation may be likely to emerge.
Study finds chaos is more common in ecological systems than previously thought
June 27, 2022
The idea that chaos is rare in natural populations may be due to methodological and data limitations, rather than the inherent stability of ecosystems.
Reefense project aims to meld biology and engineering in novel structures for coastal protection
June 22, 2022
UCSC scientists are part of a DARPA-funded team to develop innovative solutions for coral reef restoration in Florida and the Caribbean to protect coastal infrastructure.
Study shows mangrove and reef restoration yield positive returns on investment for flood protection
June 17, 2022
A robust analysis demonstrates that nature-based solutions to reduce the damage caused by coastal flooding are cost-effective.
Polar bears in Southeast Greenland shed light on the species’ future in a warming Arctic
June 16, 2022
The most genetically isolated population of polar bears on the planet, they have limited access to sea ice and use ice from Greenland’s glaciers to survive.
100,000-year-old polar bear genome reveals ancient hybridization with brown bears
June 16, 2022
Scientists found that all brown bears today have some polar bear ancestry due to genetic admixture that occurred during a warm interglacial period more than 100,000 years ago.
Microbiologist Jacqueline Kimmey named Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences
June 14, 2022
Kimmey’s lab is investigating how susceptibility to infections is influenced by the daily biological cycles known as circadian rhythms.
Hunting in darkness, elephant seals use sensitive whiskers to find prey
June 13, 2022
Researchers used miniature video cameras to study how free-ranging elephant seals use their whiskers to track down prey in the darkness of the deep ocean.
Simulations reveal hydrodynamics of planetary engulfment by expanding star
June 13, 2022
A new study using hydrodynamical simulations reveals the forces acting on a planet when it is swallowed by an expanding star, as will eventually happen to the inner planets of our solar system when the sun becomes a red giant.
Zimmer to develop Responsible AI course
June 13, 2022
Zimmer will join colleagues from around the U.S. to plan classes that better explore the impact of artificial intelligence on our world.
UC Santa Cruz joins in forming alliance to increase Hispanic opportunity
June 9, 2022
Joining with 19 leading universities, UC Santa Cruz today announced the formation of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, which aims to increase opportunity for those historically underserved by higher education.
Proposal for new program, Pathways to the Professoriate in the Arts and Humanities, selected for funding by UC President’s Office
June 7, 2022
A new cross-divisional initiative to prepare graduate students in the Arts and Humanities at UC Santa Cruz from historically underrepresented groups to go on to the professoriate has been selected for funding.
UC Santa Cruz named No. 2 public university for ‘making an impact’
June 6, 2022
Princeton Review has named UC Santa Cruz the No. 2 public university in the nation for students focused on making an impact on the world. The honor underscores the university’s commitment to encouraging positive social impact and is an increase from last year’s No. 3 spot.
Karen Miga named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022
May 23, 2022
Karen Miga, assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz, was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2022 by TIME. The honor was announced on May 23.
