All Academics

Update on Shakespeare Santa Cruz

I applaud the successful efforts of the many friends and supporters of Shakespeare Santa Cruz who, as of noon today, have raised $416,417 since their first public appeal on December 14.

Math professor Alexander Gamburd wins Presidential Early Career Award

Alexander Gamburd, professor of mathematics at UCSC, has won a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the White House announced today.

Stronger coastal winds due to climate change may have far-reaching effects

Future increases in wind strength along the California coast may have far-reaching effects, including more intense upwelling of cold water along the coast early in the season, "dead zones" in coastal waters, and increased fire danger in Southern Californi

Three UCSC professors elected AAAS Fellows

Three UCSC professors have been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Ocean acidification could have broad effects on marine ecosystems

Concern about increasing ocean acidification has often focused on its potential effects on coral reefs, but broader disruptions of biological processes in the oceans may be more significant, according to Donald Potts, professor of ecology and evolutionary

New California Academy of Sciences worth a visit--or two, or three

The newly reopened California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is receiving rave reviews and giving many UCSC professors their own cause for celebration.

UCSC Wind Ensemble to perform at Carnegie Hall

The UC Santa Cruz Wind Ensemble is set to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall on February 15, 2009.

Dick Cheney's indictment signals need for a federal civil grand jury

We need a civil grand jury at the federal level to investigate allegations of government wrongdoing that reach beyond the limited judicial boundaries of state jurisdictions.

Nurturing Change: Nidya Ramirez works to empower those most in need

Alumna Nidya Ramirez feels a responsibility to help people in difficult circumstances --including immigrants, the poor and working class, refugees, children, and abused women.

Not the same old game: Michael Mateas leads the gaming revolution

Michael Mateas, a lead faculty member in UCSC's hot new computer game design program, predicts that the interactive structure of computer gaming will soon transform media as diverse as movies, visual art, fiction, documentaries, teaching materials, and ev

Sharing a love of opera: Directors Nicole Paiement and Brian Staufenbiel make student opera sing

Excellence in student opera," may not be the first thought that comes to mind when people hear "UC Santa Cruz." But that's changing almost as rapidly as Don Giovanni's amorous conquests.

UCSC to host international renewable energy program

Last summer, U.S. and Danish students learned firsthand about renewable energy technologies being implemented in Denmark through a program organized by UCSC faculty. Next year, the campus will host the four-week summer program, along with NASA Ames Resear

Oceans of data: Dan Costa tags along with marine animals

Dan Costa, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, studies how marine animals ranging from fur seals to dolphins to penguins make a living in the open ocean.

UCSC receives $150,000 grant for Jewish Studies program

UC Santa Cruz has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the David B. Gold Foundation to support a new project in the campus's Jewish Studies Program.

Undergraduate Danielle Soto elected to Pomona City Council

Graduating senior Danielle Soto is preparing to take a seat on the Pomona City Council.

Griggs, Reguerin named Community Heroes for 2008

Gary Griggs, director of UCSC's Institute for Marine Sciences, and Pablo Reguerin, deputy director of the Educational Partnership Center, have been named Community Heroes for 2008 by the Community Assessment Project of the United Way of Santa Cruz County.

Magnetic nanotags allow sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers

A team led by researchers at UCSC and Stanford has developed a compact prototype detector that uses magnetic nanotechnology to spot cancer-associated proteins in a human blood serum sample with much higher sensitivity than current detectors.

Confessions of a non-foodie at Thanksgiving

As talk turns to free-range turkey and heritage vegetables harvested by unionized labor, anthropologist Melissa Caldwell says Thanksgiving is about more than the food.

UCSC feminist studies professor featured in fall issue of Ms. magazine

UCSC feminist studies professor Bettina Aptheker is featured in the fall 2008 issue of <i>Ms.</i> magazine.

Astronomy professor Douglas Lin receives Outstanding Faculty Award

The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences has given its 2007-08 Outstanding Faculty Award to Douglas Lin, professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Biologists John and Vicki Pearse receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The Western Society of Naturalists has awarded its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award to UCSC biologists John and Vicki Pearse.

UCSC earns top ranking for scientific impact of astronomy research

UCSC is the top-ranking university in the country for the quality of its research in astronomy and astrophysics, according to a new analysis of papers published in scientific journals and how often those papers are cited by other scientists.

Mysterious microbe may play important role in ocean ecology

An unusual microorganism discovered in the open ocean may force scientists to rethink their understanding of how carbon and nitrogen cycle through ocean ecosystems.

Princeton awards Madison Medal to astronomer Claire Max

Princeton University will present the James Madison Medal, one of its top honors for alumni, to Claire Max, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz who has developed techniques to enable astronomers to more clearly observe the universe.

November 14 symposium marks a productive first year for UCSC's Chemical Screening Center

In its first year of operation, the UCSC Chemical Screening Center has enabled researchers to identify a variety of potentially useful compounds, including promising leads for the development of new drugs to treat infections, cancer, and neglected disease

Joy and hope greet Obama victory

The campus community greeted news of President-elect Barack Obama's victory with joy and enthusiasm on Wednesday morning.

Earth scientist Gregory Rau is finalist for ConocoPhillips Energy Prize

Gregory Rau, a senior researcher at UCSC's Institute of Marine Sciences, was chosen as a finalist for the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize for his energy and carbon management proposal.

Expert on origins of life to give free public lecture November 13 at UCSC

Biochemist David Deamer will discuss the origins of life in a free public lecture on Thursday, November 13, at UCSC.

Aspiring teachers to learn novel approach to science instruction

Aspiring teachers will learn cutting-edge techniques for teaching science to young children in a collaboration led by UC Santa Cruz.

Anthropologist Melissa Caldwell to address Nov. 8-9 international conference on global food security

Food policy expert Melissa Caldwell will discuss the global food crisis during an international conference sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Alumnus John Rickford explains how linguists are working to solve the black/white achievement gap in American schools

More than 100 people filled the Stevenson Fireside Lounge on October 22 to hear Stanford linguistics professor and UCSC alum John Rickford discuss his research on the persistent achievement gap between black and white students in reading and the language

Black men tell tales of transformation in new book Ain't I a Feminist?

Black men tell tales of transformation in the new book <i>Ain't I a Feminist?</i> by Aaronette White, associate professor of psychology.

Next president must scrutinize counterterrorism initiatives, says alumna Dana Priest

Alumna Dana Priest discussed national security issues before a capacity crowd in the Namaste Lounge on Friday.

Serendipitous observations reveal rare event in life of distant quasar

Thanks to the sharp eyes of a UCSC undergraduate, astronomers have obtained a surprise view of a never-before-observed event in the birth of a galaxy.

Biologist Daniel Costa appointed to Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health

Daniel Costa is a leading authority on marine mammals, seabirds, and the impacts of humans on marine environments. His appointment to the Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health recognizes Costa's important contributions in these areas and provides

Biologist John Thompson honored for contributions to ecology

John Thompson, Distinguished Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will receive the 2009 Per Brinck Oikos Award for contributions to the science of ecology.

Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, an assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics, is the ninth young scientist at UCSC to receive a prestigious Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering.

Study finds high mortality of endangered loggerhead sea turtles in Baja California

A new study underscores the enormous impact of bycatch (marine life accidentally killed by fishing operations) on sea turtles.

Physicists Sriram Shastry and Peter Young honored by American Physical Society

The American Physical Society has awarded two of its annual prizes to physics professors at UC Santa Cruz.

How children learn to 'think like scientists' is focus of prof's work at Children's Discovery Museum

Psychology professor Maureen Callanan is partnering with Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose to explore the ways kids learn to "think like scientists."

A library for the 21st century: McHenry turns a page

As a generation born into the information age hits the books--or the Internet--campus libraries are adapting to the needs of a new, hyperconnected student.

Four social scientists honored for teaching and research

Four social scientists were honored for teaching and research today (Tuesday, October 7) during the annual fall convocation hosted by the dean of the Division of Social Sciences.

Focus on Faculty: Mary Silver, Professor of Ocean Sciences

Oceanographer Mary Silver has had a lifelong love affair with the sea--and with teaching.

43 Things you might not know about UC Santa Cruz

In honor of the campus's 43rd year, here are 43 things we bet you didn't know about UC Santa Cruz. We think many of them will surprise and delight you--and maybe even inspire you to send us a few of your own.

Baskin School of Engineering will showcase faculty research on Friday, October 17

Advances in sustainable energy, information systems, DNA sequencing, and video-game design are among the highlighted topics in a day of UCSC engineering faculty presentations.

Mr. President . . .

The 44th president will have tremendous challenges before him. UCSC experts offer their advice on topics ranging from education to climate change.

Settlement provides $457,000 in financial aid for students in computer game design major

Students at UC Santa Cruz majoring in computer game design are the lucky beneficiaries of a settlement reached in a class action lawsuit involving video gaming employees at Sony.

Biologist Marm Kilpatrick honored by American Ornithologists' Union

The American Ornithologists' Union has awarded its Ned K. Johnson Young Investigator Award for 2008 to UCSC biologist A. Marm Kilpatrick.

UCSC wins NSF grant to train more math and science teachers

Regional schools in need of qualified math and science teachers will benefit from a $750,000 grant to UCSC from the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholars Program.

Valley networks on Mars formed during long period of episodic flooding, study finds

A new study suggests that ancient features on the surface of Mars called valley networks were carved by recurrent floods during a long period when the martian climate may have been much like that of some arid or semi-arid regions on Earth.

Robin Toma: executive director of Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

UCSC graduate Robin Toma says the values of social justice and equality he gained at Santa Cruz have guided his decisions and shaped his life's work.

Catherine Cooper honored for contributions to field of human development

Psychology professor Catherine Cooper traveled this summer to Germany, where she was honored for her contributions to the field of human development.

Helping minority entrepreneurs succeed would reduce wealth inequality, economist says

African Americans aren't getting the same boost from self-employment that Asians and whites enjoy, and the racial disparities demand new policy initiatives, says economist Robert Fairlie.

Linguistics professor receives grant to help preserve endangered language

UCSC professor of linguistics Sandra Chung has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation for a collaborative project to help preserve the endangered Chamorro language.

UCSC art professor presents exhibit in subways and galleries of Japan

"Are We There Yet?" is the title of UCSC assistant art professor Dee Hibbert-Jones' new public artwork and interactive sound installation--on exhibit in Japan throughout September.

UC Santa Cruz team developing a high-tech dictionary for the classroom

Dictionaries in the classroom may go the way of typewriters if researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have their way.

NSF grant provides scholarships for UC Santa Cruz engineering students

A new scholarship program will provide financial and academic support for students in the Baskin School of Engineering, thanks to a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

New space telescope reveals entire gamma-ray sky

NASA's newest observatory, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), has begun its mission of exploring the universe in high-energy gamma rays using instruments developed by UCSC physicists.

Linguistics grad program at UCSC celebrates outstanding 22 years

This fall, UCSC's Ph.D. program in Linguistics enters its 22nd year of education, research and scholarship. In celebration of that milestone, the campus will host the "UC Santa Cruz Linguistics Alumni Conference" on September 12-13.

Anthropologist explores plausibility of bulbs and tubers in diet of early human ancestors

Anthropologist Nathaniel J. Dominy painstakingly measured the mechanical properties of nearly 100 plant species across sub-Saharan Africa as part of his investigation of the diet of early human ancestors.

Large Hadron Collider set to unveil a new world of particle physics

The field of particle physics is poised to enter unknown territory with the startup of a massive new accelerator--the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)--in Europe this summer.

UCSC grad student receives Princess Grace award

UCSC graduate student Kimberly Bautista has been awarded a 2008 Princess Grace Honorarium. She is one of 44 recipients across the country who were recognized for distinction in the fields of theater, dance and film.

Educational Partnership Center offers array of summer programs

This summer, many middle and high school students took advantage of a wide variety of academic enrichment programs offered by the UCSC Educational Partnership Center.

Free poetry reading at Chadwick Garden on June 28

Enjoy the beauty of early summer in the historic Alan Chadwick Garden on Saturday, June 28, when a bevy of accomplished poets will read their work at "A Garden of Poetry and Music."

Linguistics students give demo of spoken dialogue systems at NASA Ames

Linguistics merged with computer science last week at a hands-on demonstration of spoken dialogue systems by UCSC students at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View.

UC students travel to Denmark for renewable energy summer program

Faculty at UCSC have organized a renewable energy program that will bring together U.S. and Danish students for four weeks this summer in Lolland, Denmark.

UCSC humanities dean wins international award

Georges Van Den Abbeele, dean of humanities at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has been awarded the 2008 Blaise Pascal Medal for Social Sciences by the European Academy of Sciences.

UCSC grad students contribute 'Bureau of Disruptions' exhibit to San Jose global digital arts festival

UCSC alumnus wins annual student-journalism award from Chronicle of Higher Education

Sam Laird--a 2007 UCSC graduate with a degree in American Studies--has been awarded the fifth annual "David W. Miller Award for Student Journalists" by the <i>Chronicle of Higher Education</i>. Laird received the $2,500 prize for three articles he had pu

Sharon Daniel honored by Tribeca Film Institute for artistic excellence

Seismologist Thorne Lay elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Thorne Lay, professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UCSC, has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Grateful Dead donates archives to UC Santa Cruz

At a press conference in San Francisco on April 24, members of the Grateful Dead announced that the band will donate its archives to the University of California, Santa Cruz.

UCSC students team up with public radio producer Nikki Silva

For eight lucky students last quarter, award winning independent radio producer Nikki Silva offered the ideal blend of inspiration, instruction, and encouragement.

UCSC alumna Dana Priest wins Pulitzer Prize for Walter Reed exposé

Dana Priest, the <i>Washington Post</i> reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 for her work exposing the government's secret 'black site' prisons, has won journalism's highest honor again, this time for her exposé of the mistreatment of wounded veteran

Engineering Hope: UCSC bioelectronics engineer designs prostheses that promise to change lives

Wentai Liu is an electronics wizard whose work is enabling the development of devices once found only in the realm of science fiction--miniaturized electronic implants to restore vision, movement, and other biological functions lost to disease or injury.

Rx for Health Care: Graduates of UCSC's innovative health sciences program are good medicine for California's ailing health-care system

Diego Inzunza grabbed a laptop on his way past the laboratory inside Plazita Medical Clinic, where jaunty Mexican music danced from a large speaker on the counter. Holding the computer open like a clamshell in one hand, the 21-year-old UC Santa Cruz stude

UC Santa Cruz honors Joseph Berney with Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award

Innovative educator and social justice advocate Joseph Berney has received the 2008 Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award from the Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Undergraduate applications to UC Santa Cruz soar

More high school seniors and prospective transfer students than ever applied to study at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for fall 2008.

Undergraduate offers empowerment classes for girls at three Santa Cruz middle schools

In a unique town-gown collaboration, a UCSC undergraduate has teamed up with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education to offer empowerment classes to girls at three local middle schools.