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2019 Physical and Biological Sciences

December 30, 2019
The mysterious case of the ornamented coot chicks has a surprising explanation
The bright colors of the chicks of American coots help their parents choose favorites, according to a new study.
December 19, 2019
How genetics and social games drive evolution of mating systems in mammals
From monogamy to promiscuity, a new model explains the evolution of diverse mating systems based on the conflict between cooperative and competitive behaviors.
December 17, 2019
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz gives TED talk at National Academy of Sciences
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, is among a select group of scientists who delivered TED talks at the National Academy of Sciences in November.
December 17, 2019
Structural analysis reveals an unexpected mechanism for a cancer drug
Palbociclib is clinically approved for treating breast cancer, but it doesn’t work the way scientists thought it did.
December 17, 2019
Biologist Doug Kellogg receives Outstanding Faculty Award
Doug Kellogg, professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology, has received the 2018–19 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
December 12, 2019
New system will capture and reuse scarce helium for critical lab instruments
As helium becomes increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain, a new recovery system will help ensure a reliable supply of the element needed for powerful research instruments.
December 10, 2019
California’s sea otter population could triple by recolonizing San Francisco Bay
A new study highlights the importance of estuaries as prime habitat for the endangered southern sea otter.
December 09, 2019
Students power resurvey of UC Santa Cruz natural reserves
Student teams are conducting surveys of the birds, plants, fish, fungi, insects, vascular plants, mammals, bryophytes, and lichens at all four of the campus’s Natural Reserves.
December 05, 2019
Island 'soundscapes' show potential for evaluating recovery of nesting seabirds
Conservation biologists are taking a holistic approach to acoustic monitoring for evaluating the effectiveness of restoration efforts.
December 03, 2019
Composition of gas giant planets not determined by host star, study finds
Research led by astronomers at UC Santa Cruz and Carnegie Institution for Science has implications for understanding how planets form.
December 03, 2019
Study reveals dynamics of crucial immune system proteins
New findings show how a key part of the immune system functions and suggest potential applications in disease diagnostics and therapeutics .
December 02, 2019
Nine UCSC speakers join TEDx Santa Cruz extravaganza Dec. 7
Nine UCSC affiliates will join novelist Jonathan Franzen and a host of other speakers for TEDx Santa Cruz, a daylong extravaganza focused this year on the "Art of Hope," on Saturday, Dec. 7.
November 26, 2019
Earth scientist Andrew Fisher elected 2019 AAAS Fellow
Andrew Fisher, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
November 26, 2019
Coastal fog linked to high levels of mercury found in mountain lions, study finds
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have discovered elevated levels of mercury in mountain lions, the latest indication that the neurotoxin is being carried in fog, deposited on the land, and making its way up the food chain.
November 26, 2019
UC Santa Cruz researchers funded to develop new technology for monitoring toxic algae
As the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms increases along the California coast, ocean scientist Raphael Kudela is working to improve the technology for monitoring them.
November 21, 2019
Fish in California estuaries are evolving as climate change alters their habitat
Comparison of current stickleback populations with fish collected in the 1970s shows the populations are evolving as California's climate becomes hotter and drier.
November 20, 2019
Physics doctoral student excited to learn about condensed matter
Before coming to UC Santa Cruz, Jennifer Sittler worked on the Large Hadron Collider, writing code to increase the accuracy of results.
November 19, 2019
Rachel Carson College: Training the green generation
UC Santa Cruz’s eighth college is a haven for sustainability-minded, environmentally conscious students hoping to lead and empower others .
November 19, 2019
List of most highly cited researchers features 18 UCSC scientists and engineers
The 2019 Highly Cited Researchers list includes 18 scientists and engineers at UC Santa Cruz.
November 07, 2019
Lick Observatory continues popular program for Spanish-speaking community
‘La Noche de las Estrellas’ at Lick Observatory brings science to Spanish-speaking students and their families.
November 05, 2019
Mathematician Viktor Ginzburg named Fellow of American Mathematical Society
Ginzburg, professor and chair of mathematics at UCSC, is among 52 mathematical scientists from around the world who have been named Fellows of the American Mathematical Society for 2020.
October 31, 2019
Public invited to view Norris Center art-science residency projects
Several examples of art-science collaborations will be on view at the Museum of Art and History on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 10-5 p.m. and at the Norris Center for Natural History on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16 from noon to 5 p.m.
October 30, 2019
Simulations explain giant exoplanets with eccentric, close-in orbits
A giant-impacts phase in the evolution of planetary systems can explain the observations of close-in giant planets with eccentric orbits.
October 30, 2019
Mathematician Harold Widom honored by American Mathematical Society
Harold Widom and Craig Tracy will receive the 2020 Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research.
October 30, 2019
Powerful new supercomputer supports campus research in physical sciences
UCSC faculty are using the new system for research in astrophysics, climate science, materials science, chemistry, and other fields.
October 29, 2019
Mangroves reduce flood damages during hurricanes, saving billions of dollars in property losses
A new report finds that mangroves provide valuable flood risk benefits and play a critical role in protecting coastal communities in Florida.
October 28, 2019
DESI opens its 5,000 eyes to capture the colors of the cosmos
UC Santa Cruz astronomers have played leading roles in the collaborative effort to install a new sky-surveying instrument now beginning final testing.
October 25, 2019
Pediatric cancer study shows usefulness of gene expression analysis
Analyzing gene expression in tumor cells from children with cancer is more likely to reveal targets for therapy than analysis of DNA mutations, according to a new study led by UCSC researchers.
October 24, 2019
Boosting diversity, inclusion, and representation in science journalism
Science Communication Master's Program empowers the next generation of science journalists with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
October 22, 2019
When exoplanets collide
Scientists thought they found clues pointing to a collision between two exoplanets ten years ago. Now they found more evidence of a catastrophic collision.
October 21, 2019
Biophysicist David Kliger investigates how a protein goes wrong and causes blindness
Abnormal versions of the protein rhodopsin lead to blindness in people with the genetic disease retinitis pigmentosa.
October 18, 2019
Whole genome sequencing could help save pumas from inbreeding
The first complete genetic sequences of individual mountain lions point the way to better conservation strategies for saving threatened populations of the wild animals.
October 11, 2019
Student-led iGEM team aims to fight world hunger with synthetic biology
The team of 16 UCSC undergraduates is working to solve a real-world problem while building the skills they will need to be successful researchers.
October 09, 2019
Reef fish caring for their young are taken advantage of by other fish
Biologists have reported the first evidence of brood parasitism in coral reef fish, finding unrelated young fish in groups of young being protected by their parents.
October 09, 2019
Norris Lecture features expert panel on saltwater intrusion October 23
The 2019 Ken Norris Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, October 23, addresses saltwater intrusion along the Monterey Bay: Is our groundwater too salty?
October 01, 2019
Biologist Upasna Sharma wins NIH Director’s New Innovator Award
The prestigious $1.5 million grant will fund Sharma’s research on how environmental effects can be passed down from parents to their offspring.
September 26, 2019
Galaxy found to float in a tranquil sea of halo gas
Analysis of radio pulses that passed through a galactic halo reveals a surprisingly quiescent halo with very low density and weak magnetic field.
September 25, 2019
Climate report describes escalating impacts on oceans, ice, and snow
UCSC ocean scientist Raphael Kudela is a lead author of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, which provides new evidence for the benefits of limiting global warming.
September 25, 2019
Alumna Stacy Jupiter wins coveted MacArthur Fellowship
Stacy Jupiter, a marine scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society who earned her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz in 2006, is among the 26 new MacArthur Fellows for 2019.
September 24, 2019
New website highlights UCSC's "living labs"
A new website provides easy access to programs offering opportunities for hands-on learning at UCSC.
September 23, 2019
ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students
Fourteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $158,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation.
September 19, 2019
Two UCSC professors elected Fellows of American Physical Society
Applied mathematician Pascale Garaud and physicist David Williams were honored by APS for their exceptional contributions to physics.
September 19, 2019
Sustainable aquaculture initiative lands $245,000 federal grant
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a $245,000 federal grant that will support her team’s work driving efforts to make aquaculture more sustainable.
September 17, 2019
Elephant seal 'supermoms' produce most of the population, study finds
High mortality rates for young elephant seals means long-lived females dominate the reproductive output of the population.
September 05, 2019
Physicist Joel Primack honored by American Physical Society
The 2020 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize recognizes Primack for his outstanding contributions to physics and cosmology.
September 05, 2019
Switzer Environmental Fellowship awarded to UCSC graduate student
Melissa Cronin, a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology, has been awarded a Switzer Environmental Fellowship from the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation.
September 05, 2019
Marine scientist Adina Paytan to receive A.G. Huntsman Medal
Adina Paytan, a research professor in the Institute of Marine Sciences, has been honored with the 2019 A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in the Marine Sciences presented by the Royal Society of Canada.
September 05, 2019
Postdoc Hanh Lam awarded prestigious NIH grant
Hanh Lam, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, has received the NIH Pathway to Independence Career Development Award.
September 03, 2019
UCSC’s Genomics Institute settles into new Delaware Avenue headquarters
The move to 2300 Delaware Ave. coincides with the formal establishment of the Genomics Institute as an Organized Research Unit at UC Santa Cruz.
August 26, 2019
Finding his way—with a little help
All alumnus Patrick Bailey needed was some support, which he found in the Summer Research Experience program at UC Santa Cruz; this year, he defied the odds by earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, and is now doing cancer research.
August 20, 2019
Shasta dam releases can be managed to benefit both salmon and sturgeon, study finds
An optimal scenario for releasing water into the Sacramento River can meet the needs of endangered winter-run chinook salmon, threatened green sturgeon, and downstream water users.
August 13, 2019
Two UCSC graduate students win HHMI Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study to two UC Santa Cruz graduate students, Apple Cortez Vollmers and Donna Poscablo.
August 12, 2019
In Memoriam: Umihiko Hoshijima
Umihiko (Umi) Hoshijima, a postdoctoral researcher in ecology and evolutionary biology, died August 7 in a diving accident while working on a research project near Glacier Bay, Alaska.
August 08, 2019
UCSC researchers awarded a record number of patents last year
UC Santa Cruz researchers were awarded 26 new patents in the last fiscal year, a record number for the campus.
August 07, 2019
Researchers enlist citizen scientists to count animals on Año Nuevo Island
Volunteers will use drone photos uploaded to the Zooniverse platform to count birds, seals, and sea lions for an unprecedented census of the island.
August 06, 2019
The compelling mathematical challenge of the three-body problem
For mathematician Richard Montgomery, falling cats and orbiting planets have led to fruitful lines of research.
July 30, 2019
Conservation biologists find new applications for AI tools
Deep learning algorithms can be trained to recognize anything from the types of vegetation in a coastal wetland to the sound of a bird hitting a power line.
July 29, 2019
In Memoriam: Michael Nauenberg (1934–2019)
Michael Nauenberg, professor emeritus of physics, passed away at his home on July 22, 2019.
July 23, 2019
St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant funds Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative
Emily Beazley Kures for Kids Fund Hero Award provides $400,000 for efforts at UC Santa Cruz to bring comparative genomics analysis to pediatric cancer patients.
July 22, 2019
Lick Observatory commemorates Apollo 11 experiment on 50th anniversary
Dedication of a plaque at Lick's Shane Telescope on August 1 honors the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment that measured the distance to the moon 50 years ago.
July 17, 2019
Breakthrough Listen launches new optical search with VERITAS Telescope Array
SCIPP physicist David Williams will help lead effort using four 12-meter telescopes to search for nanosecond flashes of light from extraterrestrial civilizations.
July 16, 2019
Dream job: Combining science and illustration
Ph.D. student Jessica Kendall-Bar is fascinated by how wild marine mammals sleep, and also passionate about using art to explain science.
July 03, 2019
Plants don’t think, they grow: The case against plant consciousness
Botanist Lincoln Taiz and colleagues argue against the suggestion that plants have neurobiology or consciousness.
July 01, 2019
UC Santa Cruz establishes interdisciplinary Southeast Asia research center
A $1 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation will establish a new Center for Southeast Asian Coastal Interactions (SEACoast) at UC Santa Cruz that will bring together scholars from the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences to address the region's challenges.
June 28, 2019
Students chowing down tuna in dining halls are unaware of mercury exposure risks
Survey reveals most students are not aware that eating large amounts of tuna exposes them to neurotoxic mercury, and some are consuming more than recommended.
June 28, 2019
UC Santa Cruz among the world’s best in two new global rankings
UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses were named among the world’s best universities in two separate rankings this week.
June 27, 2019
Astronomers make history in a split second with localization of fast radio burst
In a world first, an international team of astronomers has determined the precise location of a powerful one-off burst of cosmic radio waves known as a fast radio burst.
June 26, 2019
Corals can survive in acidified ocean conditions, but have lower density skeletons
A two-year transplantation experiment near a natural low-pH submarine spring evaluated growth and physiological response of different coral species to ocean acidification.
June 11, 2019
Physicist Anthony Aguirre goes deep in 'Cosmological Koans' book
In his new book, physicist Anthony Aguirre explores deep questions about the nature of reality, using an approach inspired by Zen koans to take the reader on a thought-provoking tour of the cosmos and the core ideas of modern physics.
June 09, 2019
Steck Award honoree delves into the mysteries of supernovae
Tin Long Sunny Wong has been gazing at the stars and studying celestial bodies since he was a middle-school student in Hong Kong. This year, his study of supernovae earned him a Steck Family Award, honoring the most outstanding senior research project
June 09, 2019
Awards recognize extraordinary teachers
The annual Excellence in Teaching Awards recognized seven exceptional instructors who were selected from more than 430 nominations.
June 05, 2019
UCSC scientists study rare beaked whale stranded at Scott Creek Beach
The Hubb's beaked whale is one of the rarest and least studied marine mammal species in the world.
June 05, 2019
Campus prepping for commencement ceremonies
More than 5,200 UCSC students are earning undergraduate and graduate degrees for work completed during the 2018–19 academic year. Nearly 2,700 undergraduates have applied to participate in college commencement ceremonies.
June 04, 2019
Gifts accelerate research, from the galactic to the microscopic
Gifts from Ken and Gloria Levy support biomedical discovery that may help cancer patients as well as research on dark matter halos, some of the universe’s largest structures
June 03, 2019
2017 North Korean nuclear test was order of magnitude larger than previous tests
A new assessment of the explosion's size was led by UC Santa Cruz seismologist Thorne Lay and undergraduate researcher Dimitri Voytan.
May 30, 2019
Seismologist Emily Brodsky receives multiple honors from professional societies
The American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America are both recognizing Brodsky for her scientific contributions.
May 30, 2019
Alumni Excursion: Sea change, up close and personal
A curated trip called "The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Life" offered attendees a detailed look into how UC Santa Cruz researchers are contributing to the discussion of climate change and its direct impact on marine ecosystems.
May 28, 2019
Study reveals structure of a 'master switch' controlling cell division
Understanding the structure of the FoxM1 protein and how it works could guide development of new cancer-fighting drugs.
May 24, 2019
Physicist Michael Dine joins panel on string theory at World Science Festival
Michael Dine, a professor of physics at UC Santa Cruz, will take part in the World Science Festival now under way in New York City.
May 24, 2019
Astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz appointed to endowed chair for diversity in astronomy
The May 22 investiture ceremony honored Ramirez-Ruiz as the inaugural holder of the Vera Rubin Presidential Chair for Diversity in Astronomy.
May 23, 2019
Astrophysicist Natalie Batalha will give annual Mandel Lecture on June 5
Free public talk will focus on Batalha's research on exoplanets and the search for life on other planets.
May 13, 2019
NSF grant supports training of math and science teachers at UC Santa Cruz
The $1.45 million grant continues NSF support for UCSC's Cal Teach program, funding an integrated pathway to recruit and train new teachers for the Central Coast region.
May 10, 2019
First Faculty Ethics Bowl at UC Santa Cruz to focus on the future
What role should thinking about the far future—1,000 years ahead and beyond—play in research on campus? That’s the key question that will be discussed at "Ethics and the Far Future"--the first UC Santa Cruz Faculty Ethics Bowl.
May 09, 2019
Anne Kapuscinski receives 2019 Ocean Award for innovation
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a 2019 Ocean Award for innovation from Boat International magazine and the Blue Marine Foundation.
May 08, 2019
Ancient galaxies reveal new clues about a cosmic transformation
The unexpected brightness of early galaxies may explain "reionization," a transformative epoch in the history of the universe.
May 08, 2019
Chemist Alexander Ayzner wins NSF CAREER Award
Major grant supports Ayzner's research on soft self-assembling systems for harvesting energy from light.
May 07, 2019
NIH grant funds research on role of prion proteins in neurodegenerative diseases
The prestigious NIH MIRA grant funds biochemist Glenn Millhauser to expand his research on the function of prion proteins and their role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's.
May 06, 2019
Biology undergraduate wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
Joey Wong, a junior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in linguistics, has been named a 2019 Goldwater Scholar.
May 02, 2019
Astronomers assemble wide view of the evolving universe
A team led by UC Santa Cruz astronomer Garth Illingworth used 16 years of Hubble Space Telescope observations to create a new portrait of the distant universe.
May 02, 2019
Two UC Santa Cruz professors elected to the National Academy of Sciences
Physicist Michael Dine and biologist Susan Strome were elected to the NAS in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
May 01, 2019
Microscope expert develops powerful new tools for biologists
With Sara Abrahamsson's arrival in the Baskin School of Engineering, UC Santa Cruz is becoming a hotbed of advanced microscopy and microscope development.
April 30, 2019
Alumni Weekend 2019: Slugs in the mist
More than a thousand people, including 560 alumni, converged on the hilly forested campus for Alumni Weekend 2019, complete with thought-provoking lectures, snacks, free Slug Taxis, a fond farewell, and dancing into the night.
April 30, 2019
U.S. coral reefs provide flood protection worth $1.8 billion annually
New report finds coral reef barriers provide flood protection for more than 18,000 people and $1.8 billion worth of coastal buildings, infrastructure, and economic activity yearly.
April 29, 2019
Air Resources District funds air pollution research and teaching at UC Santa Cruz
Partnership between UCSC and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District supports a new course on air pollution and research on high-tech sensors to detect pollutants.
April 29, 2019
Sandra Faber receives American Philosophical Society's Magellanic Premium Medal
Faber was honored for her transformative research on galaxy formation and evolution.
April 29, 2019
Explore the "superbloom" in Santa Cruz County
A new Field Guide to Plants of UC Santa Cruz makes exploring the landscapes of the campus—and the county—fun and rewarding.
April 25, 2019
Biologist Olena Vaske wins major grant from American Association for Cancer Research
The 2019 AACR NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research will support Vaske's research on pediatric cancer genomics.
April 23, 2019
Can a drone weigh an elephant seal?
Undergrad’s innovative research may lead to new methods of weighing seals, expanding our understanding of the mammals and the oceans
April 19, 2019
Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni
PBSci Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate alums.
April 19, 2019
UC Santa Cruz hosts summer program on machine learning in astronomy
The Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics brings together an international group of scientists and students for a six-week program of learning and research.
April 18, 2019
From scholarship to achievement, five grads make their mark
The five recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni Award exemplify the diverse ways in which the former graduate students have translated their scholarship into an appreciable impact in various fields.
April 17, 2019
Astronomer Natalie Batalha elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The academy's class of 2019 also includes UCSC alumnus Joe Palca, as well as Michelle Obama and Jonathan Franzen.
April 16, 2019
Biologist Joshua Arribere wins prestigious Searle Scholars grant
Funding from the Searle Scholars Program will support Arribere's research on cellular quality control mechanisms that catch mistakes in gene expression.
April 08, 2019
Iron volcanoes may have erupted on metal asteroids
NASA's upcoming mission to the asteroid Psyche could look for signs of past eruptions, and evidence of 'ferrovolcanism' may also turn up in iron meteorites.
April 05, 2019
New genus of marine organisms named in honor of ocean scientist Jon Zehr
A newly described genus of marine microorganisms has been named in honor of Professor of Ocean Sciences Jonathan Zehr.
April 04, 2019
Chemist Jevgenij Raskatov honored for peptide research
The American Peptide Society and the Boulder Peptide Society have both recognized Raskatov for his scientific achievements as an early-career investigator.
April 03, 2019
Coral study traces excess nitrogen to Maui wastewater treatment facility
Nutrient pollution has been blamed for algal blooms and degradation of coral reefs along Maui's west coast.
April 02, 2019
High-impact science and cutting-edge teaching
Those who attend UC Santa Cruz’s Alumni Weekend April 26–28 can immerse themselves in cutting-edge science and get to the heart of innovative learning techniques during two Saturday afternoon events.
March 27, 2019
Inspired Expeditions: A travel program for the curious
UC Santa Cruz’s new travel program pairs travelers with expert professors for enhanced perspectives into some of the world’s most fascinating places.
March 27, 2019
Postdoctoral fellowship supports planetary science research
The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship will fund Xinting Yu's research at UC Santa Cruz on formation of clouds and hazes on exoplanets.
March 25, 2019
Summer programs draw visitors to Lick Observatory for music and stargazing
Tickets go on sale in April for the observatory's popular summer evening programs.
March 21, 2019
Biologist Daniel Costa appointed director of the Institute of Marine Sciences
Daniel Costa, distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, has been appointed to serve as the next director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, beginning in July 2019.
March 21, 2019
Climate change and drought threaten small mountain streams in the Sierra Nevada
Aquatic life in small headwater streams is especially vulnerable to the effects of prolonged drought, according to a study of mid-elevation streams in the Sierra Nevada.
March 20, 2019
Deforestation in Brazil could significantly increase local surface temperatures
New model quantifies how forests influence reflected sunlight and evapotranspiration, leading to changes in local surface temperature with deforestation.
March 20, 2019
New study shows effects on offspring of epigenetic inheritance via sperm
In experiments with worms, researchers showed that epigenetic marks on sperm chromosomes affect gene expression and development in offspring.
March 18, 2019
Scientists review Sundance movies for Science magazine
PBSci Dean Paul Koch was among five scientists reviewing movies with science or technology themes at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
March 14, 2019
Sixth annual Climate Conference links science and justice
For the first time, the annual UC Santa Cruz Climate Conference will bring together prominent ocean scientists and leading social-justice advocates to discuss the environmental and equity dimensions of the crisis.
March 12, 2019
Review of noise impacts on marine mammals yields new policy recommendations
After a comprehensive review of current knowledge, a panel of scientists has published new recommendations regarding marine mammal noise exposure.
March 10, 2019
Leading the charge for change
Alumna Amita Kuttner, a current graduate student in the Physics Department, is running as a Green Party candidate for a seat in Canada’s House of Commons in order to make policy around climate change—a quest sparked by a devastating loss
March 05, 2019
Federal funds invested in research infrastructure
UC Santa Cruz will invest nearly $6 million in its research tools this academic year, thanks to awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes for Health.
March 01, 2019
UCSC to bring art/science LASER series downtown for special evening at Rio Theater
On Tuesday, March 12, the Institute of the Arts and Sciences at UC Santa Cruz will bring its local LASER—now in its sixth year of quarterly talks on campus—downtown for a special evening at the Rio Theater.
March 01, 2019
'Fusion' exhibit a collision of art, physics
Conceived by UC Santa Cruz physics lecturer Stephanie Bailey, the show features work created by 17 pairs of artists and physics graduate students.
February 22, 2019
Seymour Center honors alumnus John Laird with Global Oceans Award
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center will honor Laird at the Global Oceans Gala on Saturday, March 23.
February 21, 2019
Biologist Olena Morozova Vaske appointed to endowed chair in pediatric genomics
At an investiture ceremony, Vaske was honored as the inaugural holder of the Colligan Presidential Chair in Pediatric Genomics.
February 20, 2019
In memoriam: Irene Osterbrock
Widow of late Lick Observatory director was tireless UC Santa Cruz advocate, volunteer, supporter of graduate students, and arts patron
February 20, 2019
Fat bats withstand the effects of white-nose syndrome, study finds
New findings explain how some populations of little brown bats are persisting, even after initial population declines caused by the debilitating fungal disease.
February 13, 2019
Grad student Sara Gonzalez wins policy award from Ecological Society of America
Sara Gonzalez, a Ph.D. student in ecology and evolutionary biology, is among the recipients of the Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Awards from the Ecological Society of America.
February 12, 2019
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins AAS/HEAD Mid-Career Prize
The 2019 HEAD Mid-Career Prize recognizes Ramirez-Ruiz "for his key contributions to our physical understanding of transient phenomena involving compact objects."
February 11, 2019
Diverse scents of woodland star wildflowers driven by coevolution with pollinators
Scientists found a surprising diversity of floral scent compounds produced by different species of woodland stars and even by populations of the same species in different locations.
February 07, 2019
Novel electrocatalyst outperforms platinum in alkaline hydrogen production
A ruthenium-based catalyst developed at UC Santa Cruz has potential applications in sustainable hydrogen production for clean energy and in industrial processes.
February 05, 2019
Three UCSC undergrads honored for presentations at national astronomy meeting
Three UCSC undergraduates were among the winners of the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Awards at the American Astronomical Society meeting.
January 31, 2019
Study of brine discharge from desalination plant finds good news and bad news
Brine discharged from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant raises offshore salinity levels more than permitted, but researchers found no direct local impacts on sea life.
January 31, 2019
Mathematician Dan Cristofaro‑Gardiner wins IAS von Neumann Fellowship
Dan Cristofaro‑Gardiner, assistant professor of mathematics at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded a prestigious von Neumann Fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
January 29, 2019
Why beaked whales return to Navy sonar range despite frequent disturbance
A new study using underwater robots reveals dense patches of deep-sea squid attract beaked whales to a Navy sonar test range off Southern California.
January 29, 2019
MaNGA data release includes detailed maps of thousands of nearby galaxies
Major data release from Sloan Digital Sky Survey includes galaxy maps, new data access and visualization tools, and a huge 'stellar library'.
January 18, 2019
Waves in Saturn's rings give precise measurement of planet's rotation rate
Saturn's ring system acts as a sensitive seismograph, enabling scientists to measure the giant planet's vibrations and determine its rotation rate.
January 18, 2019
Planetary scientist Francis Nimmo honored by Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has awarded the 2019 Harold Jeffreys Lectureship to Francis Nimmo, professor of Earth and planetary science at UC Santa Cruz.
January 17, 2019
In Memoriam: Arnold Klemola (1931–2019)
Arnold Klemola, a long-time staff researcher at UC Observatories, passed away on January 5, 2019. He was 87.
January 16, 2019
Scientists to inaugurate a new type of gamma ray telescope at Whipple Observatory
The prototype Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (pSCT) is designed as a pathfinder telescope for the Cherenkov Telescope Array.
January 15, 2019
Idled farmland presents habitat restoration opportunities in San Joaquin Desert
Land no longer suitable for agriculture could be reclaimed as habitat for dozens of endangered species, according to a new analysis.
January 15, 2019
Seed-funding innovation
The UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees seeks interesting new projects to fund.
January 14, 2019
Upper-ocean warming is changing the global wave climate, making waves stronger
The energy in ocean waves has been increasing as a consequence of climate change, according to a new study.
January 09, 2019
Biologist Jeremy Sanford awarded prestigious $1.85 million grant from NIH
MIRA grant funds Sanford to extend his studies of the mechanisms of RNA processing and RNA-binding proteins, which are involved in inherited diseases and cancer.
January 02, 2019
NSF funds innovative stable isotope equipment at UC Santa Cruz
The new equipment will support research across a wide range of disciplines, ranging from oceanography and earth science, paleontology, anthropology, ecology and fundamental biochemical cycle research.