2013  Prospective Student News

Life lessons and a fast break for success

For UCSC student James Townsend, basketball not only provided lessons in hard work, perseverance, and self control—it was also his ticket off the streets.

Game designer Brenda Romero among top ten game developers of 2013

Program director for the M.S. in games and playable media is featured on a list of the "Top 10 Game Developers of 2013."

UCSC computer engineer Katia Obraczka elected IEEE Fellow

Katia Obraczka, professor of computer engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Algebra Academy gives eighth graders a pathway to college

The intensive program, a unique collaboration between Graniterock, UC Santa Cruz, and CSU Monterey Bay is designed to boost math education at rural schools

A nonconformist in a school of mavericks

Emeritus professor of chemistry Frank Andrews, in his 53rd year of teaching, includes classes that help students maximize their potential and feel valued.

Hidden workshop turns out complex equipment for UCSC scientists

Born tinkerers, two 'old-school' UCSC machinists take rough sketches and turn them into 'works of art.'

UCSC ranks 12th for students studying in year-long programs abroad

The number of UCSC students studying abroad as part of year-long programs totaled 81, earning the campus a No. 12 ranking for the number of students engaged in "longer duration" study at foreign institutions.

Hitachi sponsors UCSC research in cancer genomics and data storage

Two areas of expertise at UCSC, genomics and data storage, are brought together under a new research agreement sponsored by Hitachi.

UCSC internships for high school students yield success in science contests

A summer internship program for high school students has consistently produced successful entries in nationwide science competitions.

UC President Napolitano visits campus, talks with students, staff, and faculty

Janet Napolitano, the new University of California president, visited UC Santa Cruz for two days of talks with students, staff and faculty, and to participate in the public launch of UCSC's first comprehensive fundraising campaign.

UCSC’s first ‘Ed Talks' draws crowd in downtown Santa Cruz

An enthusiastic audience of 250 community members gathered at the “Top of the Ritt” in downtown Santa Cruz last night to celebrate UCSC’s very first evening of “Ed Talks”—three TED-style talks by acclaimed UC Santa Cruz faculty.

UCSC astrophysicist Charlie Conroy wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has awarded a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering to astrophysicist Charlie Conroy.

UC Santa Cruz economists praise Yellen's nomination as Fed chair

UC Santa Cruz economists who have worked with Janet Yellen, President Obama's nominee to head the Federal Reserve, said she is an outstanding economist who believes in analytical, balanced, and transparent policy making.

First Research Frontiers Day features social science research on contemporary issues

The UC Santa Cruz Division of Social Sciences and Office of Research will present Research Frontiers Day, Friday, October 25, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring 12 faculty mini-lectures showcasing contemporary research.

Pan-Cancer studies find common patterns shared by different tumor types

The Pan-Cancer Initiative, a major effort to analyze the molecular aberrations in cancer cells across a range of tumor types, has yielded an abundance of new findings.

Students flock to campus during move-in week

New students and families flocked to UC Santa Cruz this week, getting to know the scenic campus and meeting roommates during move-in week.

Photos from move-in 2013

Photos of new students and families as they get to know the scenic campus and meet roommates during move-in week.

UCSC Farm hosts Fall Harvest Festival Sunday, September 29

Bright orange pumpkins, roasted red peppers, and apples galore mark the changing seasons at the 19th annual Fall Harvest Festival, Sunday, September 29 at UC Santa Cruz’s 30-acre organic farm.

UCSC hires game industry veterans to run professional degree program

Award-winning game designers Brenda Romero and John Romero will direct the new master's degree program in games and playable media.

UC Santa Cruz prepares to welcome new, returning students for fall 2013

UC Santa Cruz students are scheduled to begin moving into university housing Wednesday, September 18, in anticipation of fall quarter for the 2013-14 school year. "Move-in" for students living on campus will continue through Sunday, September 22.

California's sea otter numbers continue slow climb

California sea otter numbers are up, according to the latest population survey led by federal, state, and UCSC scientists.

NSF grant supports training of math and science teachers at UCSC

$1.45 million Noyce Scholarships grant supports UCSC's teacher training partnerships with high-need school districts and community colleges

Engineering Summer Bridge program celebrates 10 years serving new students

A week-long residential program eases the transition from high school to college for engineering students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Sea otters promote recovery of seagrass beds

Recolonization of Elkhorn Slough by sea otters led to recovery and expansion of seagrass beds due to cascading effects on the food web.

UCSC ranked among best colleges for computer science and humanities majors

UCSC is highly ranked among the nation's top computer science and humanities programs for "lifetime return on investment."

'Science Notes 2013' now available online

Science Notes 2013, published by UCSC's Science Communication Program, features compelling writing, art, video, and podcasts.

Science and Justice Training Program explores ethics of scientific research

A subtle but significant shift in how national science policy makers regard the outcomes of scientific research has created opportunities for innovative programs such as the Science and Justice Training Program (SJTP) at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC establishes Department of Technology Management

UCSC has established a new Department of Technology Management in the Baskin School of Engineering.

2013-14 Campus Food & Garden Guide now available

The 2013-14 Campus Food & Garden Guide, produced annually by the UCSC Food Systems Working Group and the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, is now available.

UCSC receives highest score on Princeton Review's 'Green Honor Roll'

UC Santa Cruz is one of 22 colleges and universities to receive Princeton Review's highest score (99) in its sixth "Green Ratings."

Psychology professor Phillip Hammack wins early career award

UC Santa Cruz associate professor of psychology Phillip Hammack is one of two winners of the 2013 Erik Erikson Early Career Award from the International Society of Political Psychology.

UCSC acquires powerful new astrophysics supercomputer system

State-of-the-art computer systems have been instrumental in making UCSC one of the world's leading centers for computational astrophysics and planetary science.

Regents appoint Janet Napolitano as UC's first woman president

The University of California Board of Regents July 18 appointed Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a two-term governor of Arizona, as the 20th president of the University of California.

New child-study room a bridge to research and teaching

The Early Childhood Education Center was able to remodel its observation room as part of a $165,000 grant from the Claire Giannini Fund, allowing advanced developmental psychology students a place to practice scientific observation.

Latin American and Latino Studies professor wins career enhancement fellowship

Sylvanna Falcón, assistant professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded a yearlong Career Enhancement Fellowship for junior faculty administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

Campus honors 'best of the best' with year-end teaching awards

Seven faculty members from UCSC received the 2012-13 Excellence in Teaching Awards during a recent campus ceremony.

Anthropology's Triloki Pandey wins excellence in teaching award

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Triloki Pandey has been named winner of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award given by the American Anthropological Association and Oxford University Press.

Cover coup

A childhood dream of gracing the cover of National Geographic comes true for Rob Irion.

UC Santa Cruz to offer new Spanish Studies B.A. degree

Beginning this fall, students at UC Santa Cruz can now declare a major in Spanish Studies, leading to a new bachelor of arts degree.

UC Santa Cruz ranks tops in research influence, 11th overall among universities under 50

UC Santa Cruz ranks at the very top – 99.9th percentile – in research influence, and 11th overall among the 100 top universities in the world less than 50 years old, according to an annual analysis by Times Higher Education.

Economist's new book reveals underpinnings of economic disasters

In a newly revised book, UC Santa Cruz economist Daniel Friedman argues that aligning morals and markets so they work together is the premier challenge of our world today.

High school student's work in UCSC lab earns Intel Science Fair prize

Eesha Khare, a student at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, won a $50,000 science fair prize for work carried out in Yat Li's chemistry lab.

UCSC ham radio club takes part in annual Field Day exercise June 22-23

Faculty and students from the Baskin School of Engineering will take part in the national Emergency Communications Field Day.

Major grant funds UCSC researchers using big data to predict cancer outcomes

UCSC bioinformatics experts received a $3.5 million NIH grant to develop tools to analyze cancer genomics data.

Health sciences grad Aaron Surrey earns Sutter medical school scholarship

Health sciences grad Aaron Surrey will receive the 7th annual Primary Care Physician Award.

Anthropology professor Anna Tsing wins $5 million Danish research award

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Anna Tsing is one of six international scholars to win a $5 million Niels Bohr Professorship from the Danish National Research Foundation.

Summer conferences at UCSC: science, enrichment, music, and changing lives

This summer's line-up of summer conferences appeals to all tastes, age groups and disciplines, but expect to see an unusual influx of youthful faces this year.

Large-scale biodiversity is vital to maintain ecosystem health

New analysis by ecologists at UC Santa Cruz demonstrates that high levels of biological diversity are necessary to maintain ecosystem health in larger landscapes over long periods of time.

Genomics pioneers look to future, form global alliance for data sharing

UCSC bioinformatics expert David Haussler is on organizing committee for global alliance to enable secure sharing of genomic and clinical data.

New College Nine mural is a collaboration with OxfamUSA

A colorful, new mural graces the entrance to College Nine, alongside another that students painted last year bearing a message of peace.

'I recognize I can make a difference'

Student Carson Watts's experience in a Ghanaian slum confirmed his career path of sustainable development.

UCSC commencements, June 14-16, feature myriad speakers

A member of Congress, an eminent historian, several alumni, professors, and the daughter of the Oakes College founding provost are among the speakers who will address UCSC graduates during commencement ceremonies June 14-16.

UCSC graduate honored for “green” leadership skills

Focus the Nation, a non-profit organization, has recognized UCSC graduate Dominic Coccia as one of the nation’s top rising young leaders in sustainable energy.

Engineering students present senior design projects

Corporate Sponsored Senior Project Program gives students an opportunity to work on real-world engineering problems.

Popular Community Studies major reinstated at UC Santa Cruz

The popular Community Studies major, suspended in 2010, has been reinstated at UC Santa Cruz beginning fall 2013.

Farm & Garden Market Cart opens at UCSC entrance Tuesday, June 4

The chance to “buy fresh, buy local” and support new organic farmers and gardeners starts again Tuesday, June 4, when organically grown berries, vegetables, and flowers go on sale at the UCSC Farm & Garden’s Market Cart.

Free monthly guided tours of the UCSC Farm begin Sunday, June 2

Free, guided tours of one of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful locations—the 30-acre organic farm at UC Santa Cruz begin Sunday, June 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

UCSC offers professional degree in games and playable media

A new master's degree program in Games and Playable Media is being offered from the UCSC Silicon Valley site in Santa Clara.

Forum addresses academic free speech and issues of anti-Semitism

An educational forum on academic free speech is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room on the UC Santa Cruz campus. It is free and open to the public.

Puma capture demonstrates success of non-lethal intervention

The capture in downtown Santa Cruz and resettlement of a young male mountain lion is one of the first tests of a new state policy that calls for using non-lethal methods when mountain lions are discovered in populated areas.

PG&E rewards UCSC for “green” energy savings at BioMedical building

Pacific Gas & Electric teamed up with UC Santa Cruz to help design energy-efficient labs in the new BioMedical Building.

UCSC to be honored for eco-friendly improvements at Earth and Marine Sciences building

The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference will honor the campus next month with a 2013 Best Practice Award for improving energy efficiency at the Earth and Marine Sciences building on campus.

2013 Commencements and Graduation Celebrations

Commencements and other graduation celebrations for the Class of 2013 will begin on Thursday, June 13.

Sharing a love of the outdoors

Staff member Kathy O'Hara Ferraro takes students on canoe and backpacking tours and also organizes an annual film festival that helps fund the Recreation Program and UCSC Wilderness Orientation scholarships.

Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center sponsors three events in May

UCSC's Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center is sponsoring three public events in the month of May, including a performance co-sponsored by the campus's Rainbow Theater.

Three ENVS graduate students receive NSF graduate research fellowships

Three Environmental Studies doctoral students have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships for 2013.

CASFS Apprenticeship program hosts premiere of 'Symphony of the Soil'

“Symphony of the Soil,” a feature film that depicts the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource, will have its Santa Cruz premiere on Saturday, May 11th, 2013, at the Nickelodeon Theater.

26th annual Bike Week begins May 3

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to host the 26th Annual Santa Cruz County Bike Week, May 3 - 11, 2013. The Bike Week program aims to provide a safe, supportive and festive environment for local commuters to try traveling by bike.

Alumna Dana Priest updates security report in light of Boston bombings

Washington Post reporter Dana Priest (Merrill, '81, politics) has updated a television report on the national security industrial complex in light of the Boston Marathon bombings.

34th annual Multicultural Festival takes place on campus on May 18

The 34th annual Multicultural Festival at UC Santa Cruz will take place on Saturday, May 18, with a day of rich cultural performances, food and music. The event, on the Oakes College Lower Lawn, will take place from noon to 6 p.m.

Astrophysics internships bring community college students to UCSC

The astrophysics program is reaching out to community college students through a new summer internship program.

UCSC's Talent Show debuts, showcases students' artistic flair

They made a Britney Spears song sound hip. They sent machetes flying, flung yo-yos, and danced fingers over the keys of a grand piano. On a recent Friday night in the Stevenson Event Center, 20 of UC Santa Cruz's most creative student performers came together for the premiere of UCSC's Talent Show.

Interactive storytelling symposium on May 10 explores the future of games

The Interactive Storytelling Symposium will bring together experts from academia and the computer game industry to explore the future of games.

Judge David Sotelo named Social Sciences distinguished alumni winner

When David Sotelo graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1983 (Merrill, politics) he was older than most undergrads, married, and the father of two small boys. Today, Sotelo is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge and winner of the 2013 Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award at UCSC.

Wilderness on the edge of town: Younger Lagoon a 'living lab' for students

Younger Lagoon Reserve is a postage-stamp-sized parcel of wilderness. Students sharpen their minds while they get their hands dirty: learning, researching, and making a difference too.

UCSC alumna wins prestigious 2013 Guggenheim

UCSC 1993 graduate Brenda Shaughnessy has been awarded a 2013 Guggenheim Fellowship for the creative arts in poetry. She returns to campus for Alumni Weekend events, including a free public reading on April 25.

Mathematics lecturer Richard Mitchell wins teaching award

Richard Mitchell, a lecturer in mathematics, has received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association.

Uncommon People / Rachel Wheat and Yiwei Wang: Crowdsourcing for research

Grad students turn to a crowdfunding website to fund their bald eagle research.

Uncommon People / Juan Ledesma: Persistence and faith

Juan Ledesma, the son of agriculture laborers, arrived in Santa Cruz from Hartnell Junior College with a $25,000 S-STEM scholarship from the National Science Foundation, and a love for physics and medicine.

Fall 2013 freshman class at UC Santa Cruz is one of the most selective

After receiving a record number 38,515 applications, UC Santa Cruz has offered admission to fewer than half of freshman applicants, making fall 2013 one of its most selective classes.

It's a Slug's life

Students have created activities ranging from mock trial to tango—gaining social outlets while learning valuable life lessons as part of a vibrant campus community.

Working hand in hand

Every year, hundreds of UCSC student interns and volunteers do important work in the community that surrounds them.

Engineering opportunities

Senior engineering students create design projects to address real-world problems—some with sponsorships from high-profile companies.

Dream job

A student writes about her experience caring for, and learning from, UCSC's marine mammal "animal ambassadors"

Puma tracking in Santa Cruz Mountains reveals impact of habitat fragmentation

In the first published results of more than three years of tracking mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains, UC Santa Cruz researchers document how human development affects the predators' habits.

Signs installed, cabin restored in Cowell Lime Works Historic District

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District celebrated installation of six new interpretive signs Friday and phase one of the restoration of one of the remaining lime workers cabins.

Second Gabe Zimmerman scholarship winner is sociology major

Carson Watts, an Oakes College sociology major and politics minor, has been selected as the second winner of the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship at UC Santa Cruz.

CO2 at work during last global 'hot spell' but hardly alone

UC Santa Cruz ocean sciences professor Christina Ravelo is part of an international team that is using ocean floor sediment samples to compile data on past periods of global warming in order to understand today's climate changes.

Domhoff's power structure research featured in urban affairs session

A plenary session is devoted to the groundbreaking research into urban power structures by UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of Sociology G. William Domhoff when the Urban Affairs Association holds its 43rd annual conference this week in San Francisco.

Sea lion defies theory and keeps the beat

Scientists trained a sea lion to bob her head in time with rhythmic sounds, the first example of beat keeping in a non-human mammal.

UCSC and industry partners launch center for data storage research

The Center for Research in Storage Systems was established through NSF's Industry/University Cooperative Research Program.

Scholarship program wins archaeology society's president's award

UCSC professor Diane Gifford-Gonzalez's effort to create a scholarship fund for students from underrepresented groups has won the President's Recognition Award from the Society for American Archaeology.

Baskin School of Engineering hosts meeting on women in technology

Members of the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Pacesetters Program met at UCSC in February.

Historic Hay Barn to be reinvented as environmental center

Thanks to a $5 million gift, the historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz will be reinvented as the centerpiece of a revived campus entrance and new home for many of UCSC's innovative environmental sustainability programs.

DNA study clarifies relationship between polar bears and brown bears

A new genetic study of polar bears and brown bears upends prevailing ideas about the evolutionary history of the two species.

UCSC ranked among top 10 graduate schools for game design

The graduate programs in game design at UC Santa Cruz were named among the top 10 in the nation by the Princeton Review.

Slug Stand-Up lets students express themselves through comedy

The four members of UCSC's Slug Stand-Up comedy squad bare their souls while trying to keep stage-fright in check, but they say everything is worth it just to make people laugh.

The Rosa Parks African American Theme House: Discovering similarities, embracing differences

Students from diverse backgrounds learn about struggles of race, gender, and class while becoming a family to each other.

Student robotics competition on March 13 features Star Trek theme

Robotic "starships" built by UCSC engineering students will face off in a free public demonstration on Wednesday, March 13.

Restaurant worker advocate visits Santa Cruz for reading, book signing

Saru Jayaraman, author of Behind the Kitchen Door, will speak and sign copies of her book Thursday, March 21, 7-9 p.m. at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz in an event co-sponsored by the UCSC Center for Labor Studies, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and Friends of the UCSC Farm and Garden.

12th annual Earth Summit branches out with workshops, displays, food

The 12th annual Earth Summit at UC Santa Cruz will take place Friday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room. It is free and the public is invited.

UNESCO releases lecturer's book online as free download

State legislators, UCSC administrators talk budgets at legislative meeting

Voter approval of Proposition 30 in November gives UC Santa Cruz and the UC system a welcome respite to years of budget cuts but it is not a panacea, state legislators and university administrators agreed Friday.

UCSC night at the Santa Cruz Warriors draws enthusiastic crowd

Over 200 members of the UCSC community came out to support the Santa Cruz warriors this past Friday.

Alumna killed in line of duty; info on memorial, support for families

Detective Elizabeth Butler (Kresge, '96, community studies), who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday, February 26, put her skills working with people into action on the streets of Santa Cruz. A memorial is set for March 7.

UCSC community reports record-breaking holiday season of giving

The UC Santa Cruz community stepped up once again to support those in need, with record-breaking donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank, the United Way of Santa Cruz County and the Student Volunteer Center’s Giving Tree program.

UCSC arts alumnus wins Academy Award

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Rick Carter won an Oscar Sunday for production design on Steven Speilberg’s acclaimed film, Lincoln. This marks the second academy award for the former UCSC art major.

Award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team to compete in San Francisco

The award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team will compete against other regional college teams February 28-March 3, 2013, at the UC Berkeley Model UN Conference in San Francisco.

Crafting a way to help those less fortunate

After witnessing a tragic incident, UCSC student Radhika Mitra founded a nonprofit that aims to give artisans in developing countries the tools they need to be financially successful.

Student research project attracts European partners and NSF funding

Research on Mediterranean seagrass leads to international collaboration and a grant to extend students' findings.

"Science on Tap" aims to engage public in science

A new "science cafe" is starting up in Santa Cruz, designed to connect the Santa Cruz community to the latest research happening at UCSC.

UCSC astrophysicist Charlie Conroy wins Sloan Research Fellowship

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to Charlie Conroy, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Overcoming the odds: Student learned English by playing video games

The son of migrant workers, Juan Morales's path to UC Santa Cruz was anything but typical.

UCSC places in top 20 on Peace Corps’ volunteer list

UC Santa Cruz is tied for fifth place among California universities and in the top 20 nationally for the most Peace Corps volunteers in 2013, according to the Peace Corps' annual ranking of top volunteer-producing colleges.

Astronomer Sandra Faber honored in White House ceremony

President Barack Obama presented astronomer Sandra Faber with the National Medal of Science in a White House ceremony on Friday.

Students help local teens navigate the college admission process

The undergrad-led program UCAN aims to help high school students negotiate the sometimes tricky path to higher education.

Sociology alumnus named number two executive at International Crisis Group

Joost Hiltermann, who received his Ph.D. in sociology from UC Santa Cruz in 1988, has been named chief operating officer of the International Crisis Group based in Brussels.

Black History Month includes many events at UCSC

UCSC's African American Resource and Cultural Center is promoting a full schedule of activities planned for February, celebrated as Black History Month.

Free screening of 'Doctors of the Dark Side' set for Jan. 30 at UCSC

A free screening of "Doctors of the Dark Side," the award-winning documentary that examines the critical role of psychologists and physicians in the torture of detainees in U.S. controlled military prisons, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 30 at the Merrill Cultural Center, on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

UCSC agroecology expert to speak on genetically engineered crops Feb. 12

UC Santa Cruz environmental studies professor Deborah K. Letourneau will speak on “Genetically Engineered Crops and the Environment: Risky Business?” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at the Red Restaurant and Bar in downtown Santa Cruz. It is free and open to the public.

UCSC sees sharp increase in undergraduate applications for fall

More than 46,000 prospective undergraduates – the most ever – have applied for admission to UC Santa Cruz for the fall 2013 quarter.

Novel technique reveals dynamics of telomere DNA structure

New findings reveal structural properties of chromosome-capping telomeres, a potential target for anti-cancer drugs.

U.S. team poised to begin drilling into subglacial lake in Antarctica

UCSC scientists are part of a team in Antarctica to investigate one of the last unexplored aquatic environments on Earth.

Three-day workshop covers fruit tree care from planting to harvest

A 3-day workshop will give you the tools you need to successfully cultivate fruit trees on a backyard or small-orchard scale.

Popping the question is his job

In a survey of young people, researchers at UC Santa Cruz report that both women and men tend to hold traditional views when it comes to marriage proposals.

Monk seal book wins AAAS/Subaru prize for young adult science book

A book about Hawaiian monk seals by marine biologist Terrie Williams has received a prize for excellence in science books.

Low extinction rates made California a refuge for diverse plant species

The remarkable diversity of California's plant life is largely the result of low extinction rates over the past 45 million years, scientists say.