Press Releases

Fossil finger bone yields genome of a previously unknown human relative

DNA extracted from a fossil finger bone has yielded the genome of a previously unknown group of human relatives.

Farm apprentice shares national award in White House presentation

Karen Washington, a 2008 graduate of the apprenticeship class of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz was honored at the White House December 17 for her work with urban gardens in the Bronx.

History grad teaches English and blogs from China

This month, UC Santa Cruz grad Matthew Palm (Kresge, History, '10) writes in his periodic blog from China about his teenage students and the impromptu English speeches he asked them to give.

Recharge pond study reveals dynamics of water infiltration

An infiltration pond in California's Pajaro Valley has become a laboratory where scientists are working to improve techniques for recharging the region's depleted aquifer.

Men's hoops: Slugs take down Whittier Poets

After a tough defeat to Whitworth College, the UCSC men's basketball team rallied back to defeat the Whittier Poets 53-47 on Saturday, December 11.

UCSC professors urge passage of the DREAM Act

Eleven UC Santa Cruz professors and lecturers are among more than 300 university scholars across the nation who have signed an open letter urging passage of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.

UCSC scientists help California coastal communities prepare for sea level rise

Sea level is rising, and California's coastal communities will need to prepare for the gradual inundation of low-lying areas, as well as increased erosion rates and damage from storms.

Bering Sea was ice-free and full of life during last warm period, study finds

Deep sediment cores retrieved from the Bering Sea floor indicate that the region was ice-free all year and biological productivity was high during the last major warm period in Earth's climate history.

UCSC is included in two new Forbes magazine 'best of' lists

UCSC is included in two recently released surveys Forbes magazine conducted as part of its "America's Best Colleges" web features.

Life thrives in porous rock deep beneath the seafloor, scientists say

Researchers have found compelling evidence for an extensive biological community living in porous rock deep beneath the seafloor.

SocDoc student documents Myanmar's young people

UC Santa Cruz social documentation graduate student Rian Dundon slipped into Myanmar last April, blending in with the backpack crowd. His photographs from his time there are now featured in a photo essay on Time.com.

Appointment of Humanities Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nirvikar Singh to the Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies. The chair--established through the Sikh Foundation by Hardit and Harbhajan K. Singh in memory of their son, Sarbjit Singh Aurora--supports research and teaching in Sikh and Punjabi studies from a multicultural and global perspective.

President Obama nominates alumna Kathryn Sullivan for commerce post

President Barack Obama has nominated UCSC alumna Kathryn Sullivan for the post of assistant secretary of commerce.

Study predicts distribution of gravitational wave sources

A study led by a UCSC undergraduate predicts for the first time where detectable sources of gravitational waves are likely to occur in the local galactic neighborhood.

History graduate heading to Scotland on prestigious Marshall Scholarship

Five months after she graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in history, Cynthia Thickpenny has won a Marshall Scholarship--one of the most prestigious awards that American undergraduates can receive.

Genome 10K Project announces first 101 species for genome sequencing

The Genome 10K Community of Scientists and BGI (formerly the Beijing Genomics Institute) of Shenzhen, China, have announced a plan to sequence the genomes of 101 vertebrate species within the next two years.

Professor taps protégés for new book exploring national identity

Eight of the 11 essays in a new book co-edited by UC Santa Cruz sociology professor Herman Gray are contributed by scholars who studied with him.

UCSC celebrates its 45th anniversary with 45+5 Prominent and Influential Alumni

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the arrival of the first students at UC Santa Cruz, the campus is showcasing 45 highly accomplished graduates and five younger alumni of promise.

Butterflies featured at Museum of Natural History Collections open house

The extraordinary collection of butterflies at the UC Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Collections will be on display as part of an open house set for Sunday, December 5 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Natural Sciences II and Interdisciplinary Sciences building.

UCSC researcher teaches young scientists to engage with the public

Marine scientist Adina Paytan considers science education and public outreach to be just as important as her research.

New analysis explains formation of bulge on farside of moon

A bulge of elevated topography on the farside of the moon may be the result of tidal forces acting early in the moon's history.

Alum's company named philanthropic corporation of the year

Earthbound Farm, founded by UC Santa Cruz graduate Drew Goodman and his wife Myra, has been selected as the outstanding philanthropic corporation of 2010 for the Central Coast as part of National Philanthropy Day, Friday November 12.

UCSC leads work on first major upgrade for LHC

U.S. physicists have begun work on a new particle detector that will be the first major upgrade for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's most powerful particle accelerator.

New book investigates violence against women in Latin America

A new book, coedited by Rosa-Linda Fregoso, professor of Latin American and Latino studies at UC Santa Cruz, investigates the escalation of violence against women in Latin America over the past two decades.

Iron stimulates blooms of toxin-producing algae in open ocean, study finds

Marine scientists have found that toxin-producing algae are common in the open ocean, where the addition of iron can stimulate rapid growth of the harmful algae.

UCSC veterans group hosts special event

On the eve of Veterans Day, UC Santa Cruz will host a special event this Wednesday featuring local World War II veteran Charlton "Charlie" Scarborough and her daughter, Judy. The pair will share experiences from their recent Honor Flight journey to visit to Washington, D.C.

Research on thin-film solar cells heats up at UCSC

Sue Carter, a professor of physics at UCSC, is pursuing a variety of strategies to develop cheaper and more efficient solar cells.

Latino Literary conference at UCSC, Nov. 5-6

The third biennial conference of the Latino Literary Cultures Project will take place at UC Santa Cruz on Friday and Saturday, November 5-6.

Microbiologist to discuss bacteria for bioenergy on Tuesday, November 9

Caroline Harwood, a distinguished microbiologist from the University of Wisconsin, will discuss microbial production of hydrogen gas as a biofuel in a lecture at UCSC on Tuesday, November 9.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz benefit set for Nov. 20-21

Shakespeare Santa Cruz will present two benefit performances of Shakespeare’s Labors In Love, an original piece written and performed by Oregon Shakespeare Festival actors, Nov. 20-21. and 21.

Alum's video tribute to the Giants is a hit

Proud Banana Slug and hardcore San Francisco Giants fan, Ashkon Davaran (Porter '02, Theater Arts) has a grand slam viral hit with his YouTube video tribute to the Giants and their fans, set to a wacky re-mix of the 1981 Journey hit "Don't Stop Believin'."

Ethics lecture examines moral boundaries of scientific research

"Advances in Biotechnology and Medicine: Stretching the Moral Boundaries" is just the beginning of a new series of ethics lectures that will be presented by the UCSC Humanities Division.

Humanities Division honors freshman writing students with new award

After more than three decades of guiding teachers and teaching college students, senior lecturer emeritus in writing Don Rothman has established an endowment to honor exceptional freshman students and their writing teachers.

Astronomer Greg Laughlin will discuss the search for Earth-like planets on November 17

UCSC astronomer Greg Laughlin will discuss "The Search for Other Earths" in a free public lecture on Wednesday, November 17.

Limiting salmon fishing may help ecosystems and economies

A group of conservation biologists led by a researcher from UC Santa Cruz and Canada’s Raincoast Conservation Foundation has proposed limiting the fishing of Pacific salmon off British Columbia in order to improve the ecosystems of protected coastal areas where spawning occurs and help coastal economies.

Student veterans are featured in newspaper cover story

An increasing number of veterans who have served in the country's military are enrolling at UC Santa Cruz as students. And in the past two years, UCSC has raised the bar for veteran services with the campus's Veterans Education Team Support (VETS) program.

Jean-Michel Cousteau: 'I am convinced we can change'

Ocean environmentalist Cousteau expresses both concern and hope for the future of the world's oceans in a discussion of the BP oil spill with alum and NPR science correspondent Richard Harris

Founders Day Dinner honors achievement, UCSC's roots

The fourth annual campus signature event drew a black-tie crowd to the Cocoanut Grove to commemorate UCSC's founding, recognize outstanding achievement

Researchers investigate marine mammal behavior and responses to sound

A team of researchers recently completed a two-month research project off the Southern California coast, part of a collaboration to study marine mammal behavior and responses to sounds in the ocean.

Professor's new book explores the political discourse of Russia's elite

In a new book, UC Santa Cruz politics professor and post-Soviet-era expert Michael Urban interviewed 34 prominent members of the administrations of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin.

Bill Ladusaw and Jim McCloskey elected fellows of Linguistic Society of America

Astronomer Mark Krumholz wins NSF CAREER Award

Mark Krumholz, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UCSC, has won a prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation.

Patricia Zavella awarded career achievement prize

Patricia Zavella, chair of the Latin American and Latino studies department at UC Santa Cruz, has been named co-winner of the 2010 Prize for Distinguished Achievement in the Critical Study of North America by the Society for the Anthropology of North America. North America.

Engineering dean Art Ramirez awarded APS McGroddy Prize

The American Physical Society has awarded the 2011 James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials to Art Ramirez, dean of the Baskin School of Engineering.

Elephant seals improve maps of Antarctic seafloor

Oceanographers are using data collected by elephant seals to improve their map of the seafloor on Antarctica's continental shelf.

UC Santa Cruz social scientists honored for teaching, research

Three social scientists at UC Santa Cruz were honored for outstanding teaching and research Thursday, October 14 at the annual fall convocation breakfast hosted by dean of the Social Sciences division, Sheldon Kamieniecki.

SF mayor honors alumnus Peter Bratt with Latino heritage award

Filmmaker Peter Bratt, a UC Santa Cruz alumnus, and his TV star brother Benjamin were named recipients of the 2010 Latino Heritage Month Award in the arts by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

UC Santa Cruz Literature professor nominated for National Book Award

Karen Tei Yamashita, professor of literature and co-director of the Creative Writing Program at UC Santa Cruz, has been nominated for a 2010 National Book Award.

Provocative works by extraordinary artists reveal ‘Human Conditions’

Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Vito Acconci, Robert Rauschenberg…these are just a few of the extraordinary artists that will be featured in Human Conditions, a new exhibition running through November 20 at UCSC’s Sesnon Gallery.

UC Santa Cruz welcomes students, families to preview days

The next two Saturdays, UC Santa Cruz will welcome prospective students and their families to Preview Day, the annual campus open house, to explore the campus and connect with UCSC faculty and staff.

Baskin School of Engineering highlights research advances on October 21

Innovative approaches to solving problems in the critical areas of biotechnology, energy, and human-centered design will be presented by faculty in the Baskin School of Engineering at the school's annual Research Review Day.

Two faculty members honored with Dickson Emeriti Professorships

Two UCSC faculty members have been honored with emeriti professorships for the 2010-11 academic year: George Brown, professor emeritus of physics, and Donald Wiberg, professor emeritus of electrical engineering.

UCSC research funding hit record levels in 2009-10

UCSC researchers attracted a record $148 million in external grants and contracts to the campus in the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Researchers use hi-res detector to map neural circuits of the retina

Using a sophisticated neural recording system developed at UCSC, researchers were able to trace for the first time the neural circuitry in the retina.

Engineer Wentai Liu honored with Popular Mechanics Breakthroughs Award

Popular Mechanics magazine has awarded a 2010 Breakthroughs Award to Wentai Liu, professor of electrical engineering at UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering.

Chemistry department hosts exciting science show on Sunday, October 17

Two of chemistry's most colorful ambassadors will perform dazzling feats of physical science in an interactive chemistry show at UCSC on Sunday, October 17.

Netflix CEO: Luck, 'maniacal determination' played into company's success

Speaking to a crowd of 400 at Tuesday's What's Next lecture co-sponsored by UCSC, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings shared success tales and early horror stories.

Family ties bind desert lizards in social groups

UCSC researchers have found that a species of lizard in the Mojave Desert lives in family groups and shows patterns of social behavior more commonly associated with mammals and birds.

Ocean protection expert to give Keeley Lecture on Environmental Policy

Amber Mace, a leading expert on ocean protection policy, will present the fifth Fred Keeley Lecture on Environmental Policy Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the UC Santa Cruz Music Recital Hall.

Acclaimed author and journalist Gurcharan Das to deliver 2010 Maitra Lecture at UCSC on Oct. 17

The UC Santa Cruz Foundation presents the 10th annual Sidhartha Maitra Memorial Lecture--featuring acclaimed Indian author and columnist Gurcharan Das--on Sunday, October 17, at 3 p.m. in the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall.

Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner to speak at UCSC on Friday, October 15

Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner, M.D.--who discovered the infectious proteins that cause "mad cow disease" in cattle, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, and other neurodegenerative diseases--will discuss the latest developments in this field in a lecture on Friday, October 15.

Founders Dinner on October 22 to honor discovery, philanthropy, artistic endeavor

UC Santa Cruz will host its fourth annual Founders Day gala dinner at Santa Cruz's Cocoanut Grove on Friday, October 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Jean-Michel Cousteau joins NPR's Richard Harris for a "Report from the Gulf" on Friday, October 22

Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of the Ocean Futures Society, and Richard Harris, science correspondent for National Public Radio, will discuss the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, October 22.

Sam Farr to speak at UCSC reception for exhibit on sustainable agriculture and organic farming

U.S. Representative Sam Farr will be the guest speaker at a reception to be held on Thursday, October 14, from 4 to 6 pm at the UCSC Science and Engineering Library’s Current Periodicals Room.

Campus food and student gardening guides now available

The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), the Food Systems Working Group, and the Student Environmental Center have worked together to produce the first UCSC Student Garden Guide.

Arboretum's fall sale October 9 features wide variety of plants

The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum will hold its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Eucalyptus Grove on High Street.

Habitable planet discovery attracts out-of-this-world news coverage

The announcement that UC Santa Cruz astronomer Steven Vogt and a team of scientists have discovered a planet with the potential to support life captured international news attention and sparked the imaginations of millions. Here is a selection of some of the most notable coverage. Nearly 1,000 news outlets reported the findings within the first 24 hours.

Newly discovered planet may be first truly habitable exoplanet

A team of planet hunters has announced the discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting a nearby star at a distance that places it squarely in the middle of the star's "habitable zone."

UC Santa Cruz doctoral programs earn high marks in national review

Five doctoral programs at the University of California, Santa Cruz earned high marks in a report issued today (Tuesday, September 28) by the National Research Council (NRC).

Award-winning UCSC alumna gaining recognition for second novel

In 2007, UC Santa Cruz alumna Reyna Grande (creative writing/film & video ’99) received an American Book award for her debut novel, Across a Hundred Mountains.Her sophomore novel, Dancing with Butterflies--a story of four women in a Los Angeles-based folklorico group--has been steadily garnering acclaim.

New shark pool marks Seymour Center's 10th anniversary on Sunday, October 10

The Seymour Center at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory will mark its 10th anniversary with a public celebration on Sunday, October 10, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Marine experts to discuss a decade of ocean discoveries in annual Norris Lecture on Thursday, October 7

A panel of four UCSC marine scientists will discuss a decade of ocean discoveries in the annual Ken Norris Memorial Lecture at the Seymour Center on Thursday, October 7.

UCSC names new Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Philanthropy

Jeffrey J. Shilling, former chief development officer for Stanford University’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, has been named associate vice chancellor for strategic philanthropy at UC Santa Cruz.

Staying connected: UCSC launches iPhone app

Busy, multi-tasking students can now keep up with life at UC Santa Cruz, thanks to a new free iPhone app with regularly updated campus news, videos, photos, events and even an emergency feed.

New students, families greeted with disco, car washes, open arms

In some parts of America, college move-in week is a generic affair. But this is UC Santa Cruz, where there is no place for generic behavior or doing anything in a boring, run-of-the-mill way.

Rod Ogawa wins lifetime achievement award for education research

Rodney Ogawa, professor of education at UC Santa Cruz, has been named winner of one of the most prestigious awards in the field of education research.

Eminent social psychologist Elliot Aronson publishes memoir

In a candid and engaging new memoir, "Not by Chance Alone, My Life as a Social Psychologist" UCSC emeritus professor Elliot Aronson recounts the people who have made him who is today.

UCSC farm apprentices create their own jobs in the field

A new study that looks at 20 years of the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture program at UC Santa Cruz finds that a large percentage of its alumni are still involved in growing and marketing organic food and teaching others how to do so.

Alison Galloway named campus provost at UCSC

The University of California Regents today (Thursday, September 16, 2010) approved the appointment of Alison Galloway as campus provost/executive vice chancellor (CP/EVC) of UC Santa Cruz. The appointment is effective immediately.

UCSC lecturer releases new CD showcasing music of Thomas Jefferson

When most people think about the life of Thomas Jefferson, the subject of music rarely comes up. So it might come as a bit of a surprise to learn that our third president was an accomplished--and self-taught--classical violinist, who also had an unusual interest in traditional folk tunes...

Undergrad's "crazy idea" leads to a promising biotech device

In Nader Pourmand's bioinstrumentation class, students are encouraged to come up with their own ideas for new biotechnology devices and applications. Sometimes, their "crazy ideas" turn into important research projects.

Annual UCSC Farm Harvest Festival set for September 26

The annual Harvest Festival at the UC Santa Cruz Farm is the biggest open house of the year for the pioneering organic and sustainable agriculture programs run by UCSC’s Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. This year it takes place Sunday, September 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seymour Center presents talk on climate change and wine

Lisa Sloan, professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz, and David Graves, cofounder and managing partner of Saintsbury Winery in Napa, will discuss climate change and its impact on wine making in a public lecture at the Seymour Center at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 19.

NSF program supports minority graduate students

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million to establish a Bridge to the Doctorate program at UCSC that will provide fellowships for science and engineering graduate students from underrepresented minority populations.

Sea otter deaths linked to toxin from freshwater bacteria

A potent toxin produced by bright-green blooms of freshwater bacteria has been flowing into the ocean and poisoning sea otters.

Six UCSC students win Fulbrights

Six UC Santa Cruz students – five in anthropology, one in environmental studies – have been awarded Fulbright scholarships for a year's study and research abroad. Five doctoral degree candidates and one 2010 graduate will travel to China, the Krygyz Republic, Korea, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela to conduct their research projects.

'Slow light' on a chip holds promise for optical communications

A tiny optical device built into a silicon chip has achieved the slowest light propagation on a chip to date, reducing the speed of light by a factor of 1,200.

Professor wins prestigious fellowship for education research

George Bunch, an assistant professor of education at UC Santa Cruz, has won a prestigious fellowship to study the language demands faced by English learners in community college.

Plant sale kicks off fall gardening season

UCSC Farm & Garden’s Fall Plant Sale will offer a rich and timely selection of organically raised vegetable seedlings, perennials, and California natives. Sponsored by the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, the sale takes place Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11 from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the Barn Theater parking lot at the intersection of Bay and High Streets in Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz professor one of top academic experts on Honduras

In late June, UC Santa Cruz history professor Dana Frank traveled to Honduras to observe the one-year anniversary of the country’s 2009 military coup that deposed President Manuel Zelaya. Frank is one of the top academic experts on Honduras in the United States

UCSC hosts science conference for girls on Saturday, October 9

The 10th annual UCSC Expanding Your Horizons Conference for high school girls will take place on Saturday, October 9.

Local group funds UCSC cancer researchers

The Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group, a local charity supporting cancer research and patient care, has awarded grants of $10,000 each to three researchers at UCSC.

Summer interns gain research experience in Silicon Valley nanotech labs

Dozens of students gained valuable experience in nanotechnology and energy research labs this summer through an internship program at the Advanced Studies Laboratories, a collaborative partnership led by UCSC and NASA Ames.

Fall gardening workshop set for Saturday, August 28

Join gardener Trish Hildinger for a lecture and demonstration workshop on “Planting the Thanksgiving Feast” at the UC Santa Cruz Farm on Saturday, August 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Not one, but two great earthquakes caused 2009 Samoa-Tonga tsunami disaster

Scientists studying the massive earthquake that struck the South Pacific on September 29, 2009, have found that it actually involved two great earthquakes...

Biologist Amy Ralston wins Ellison Medical Foundation grant

The Ellison Medical Foundation has selected Amy Ralston, an assistant professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz, as a New Scholar in Aging, providing $400,000 over four years to support her research on the biology of stem cells.

UCSC research in international economics ranked 7th globally

The UC Santa Cruz Economics Department was ranked seventh in the world in July -- and sixth among all academic institutions -- for research in international finance, according to an analysis of research papers. Only the University of Chicago, MIT, UC Berkeley, and Harvard University and its Kennedy School of Government ranked higher. The International Monetary Fund was ranked third.

UC Santa Cruz researchers win $580,000 grant to document educational success stories

Two UC Santa Cruz education researchers will study successful school organizations and teaching approaches that engage urban low-income Latino high school students in academically challenging work thanks to a $580,000 grant from the W.T. Grant Foundation.

Protein structure reveals how tumor suppressor turns on and off

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein acts like a gate in the cycle of cell growth and division--a gate that stays open in many types of cancer, allowing cells to multiply out of control.

Bats facing regional extinction in the northeast from rapidly spreading disease, UCSC researcher finds

A new infectious disease spreading rapidly across the northeastern United States has killed millions of bats and is predicted to cause regional extinction of a once-common bat species, according to the findings of a University of California, Santa Cruz re

Authors of new book about Grateful Dead's marketing approach to donate one fourth of advance and royalties to UC Santa Cruz

Inspired by a thought-provoking feature article by Joshua Green in the March issue of <i>Atlantic</i> magazine titled <i>Management Secrets of the Grateful Dead</i>, Boston writers David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan have just published a new book rele

Steelhead study earns best paper award from American Fisheries Society

The American Fisheries Society has selected a paper on steelhead trout by UCSC researcher William Satterthwaite as the best publication for 2009.

California sea otter numbers drop again

After a decade of steady recovery, the southern sea otter is in decline for the second year in a row, according to the latest population survey by USGS and UCSC researchers.

Politics professor named campus director of UC Washington D.C. program

Eva Bertram, associate professor of politics, will become the new UC Santa Cruz campus director for the UC Washington Program (UCDC).

Cannibal galaxies and chemical abundances: high school physical science interns explore the universe

Fifteen brainy, super-motivated high school students are taking part in a UC Santa Cruz summer program that helps young people delve deeply into research in the physical sciences with professional mentors to guide them.

Student orientation draws a crowd of 6,800: excitement, nervousness, and high expectations during campus visit

More than 6,800 parents and students attended Student Orientation. Many guests were from Northern California, but parents and students showed up from throughout the state and across the nation.

$2 million NIH grant funds research on climate change and mosquito-borne disease

A four-year, $2 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will support research at UC Santa Cruz on climate change and the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus.

Scientists aim to predict toxic algal blooms in California's coastal waters

After years of studying and monitoring harmful algal blooms in California's coastal waters, Raphael Kudela is trying to predict when toxin-producing algae will strike again.

Research at Elkhorn Slough guides conservation and restoration efforts

As an adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC and research coordinator for the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Kerstin Wasson brings rigorous science to bear on habitat restoration efforts throughout Elkhorn Sloug

UCSC receives 'intent to register' statements from 3,700 prospective freshmen

Approximately 3,700 prospective freshmen have made formal commitments to attend UC Santa Cruz this fall, based on systemwide data released July 14 by the University of California.

UC Santa Cruz professor co-authors landmark book to commemorate 100th anniversary of Angel Island Immigration Station

A new book co-authored by UC Santa Cruz professor emerita of American Studies Judy Yung provides the first comprehensive history of the Angel Island Immigration station in San Francisco Bay--known as "the Ellis Island of the West."

Shakespeare Santa Cruz exposed: hard work brings productions and stage sets to life in the festival glen

Anyone who has seen Shakespeare Santa Cruz knows it's a transporting experience, but the cast works hard to achieve the effect. When audiences finally see Love's Labor's Lost, they will see the end-product of endless adjustments, revisions, and changes of

Shakespeare Santa Cruz kicks off 2010 summer festival July 20

The 29th season of Shakespeare Santa Cruz opens July 20 with James Goldman's <i>The Lion In Winter</i>, directed by Richard E.T. White and starring SSC artistic director Marco Barricelli.

UCSC professor examines how dysfunctional politics drive defense spending up

In a new book, UC Santa Cruz professor Daniel Wirls writes that the "peace dividend" the nation was supposed to enjoy after the end of the Cold War was hijacked by dysfunctional national security politics that continue to push the defense budget ever high

Glaciologist Slawek Tulaczyk elected fellow of Geological Society of America

Slawek Tulaczyk, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has been elected a fellow of the Geological Society of America.

Girls discover engineering potential at UC Santa Cruz

The 29 middle school girls who graduated from the fourth annual Girls in Engineering program Friday described their two weeks on the UC Santa Cruz campus as "awesome," "interesting," "fun," and yes, "inspiring."

Deconstruction on campus: preservationists hope to tear down, rebuild historic barn

The Cowell Lime Works board hopes to save an historic hay barn on the base of campus, using an unusual rescue method: they want to have it taken down and put back together again.

Geologist Gary Griggs publishes guide to California's beaches and coast

A new book by UCSC geologist Gary Griggs offers a fascinating guide to the beaches and coast of California.

Abe Seiden stepping down after 30 years as director of UCSC physics institute

Abraham Seiden, professor of physics who has led the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) since its founding in 1981, is stepping down.

UC Santa Cruz approves new major in Jewish Studies

Jewish Studies at UCSC had its origins in the mid-1980s after a campus visit by Schindler's List survivor Leopold Page--nearly a decade before Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning film.

Windmills on the Wharf? A city landmark goes green

Electricity-generating wind turbines may soon take their place alongside the fishermen and flagpoles on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. A team of enterprising UC Santa Cruz engineering students is laying the groundwork for this ambitious $1 million projec

Shakespeare and the Music of the Spheres: Summer attractions on and off campus

UCSC does not slumber when most of the students clear out in June. Summer is a great time to explore the wooded, shady campus and off-campus facilities.

Athletes, math students, and cheerleaders converge at summer programs

Long after students vacate their dorms, the campus keeps buzzing with summer conferences.

Four UCSC professors elected as Fellows of California Academy of Sciences

Four UC Santa Cruz professors have been elected as fellows of the California Academy of Sciences.

Oakes College offers residential program for science and engineering students

Oakes College is offering a new residential program for science and engineering students at UCSC this fall.

Gordon Ringold appointed to oversee Silicon Valley Initiatives

Gordon Ringold, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur with strong academic and research credentials, will assume leadership and oversight of UCSC's growing initiatives in Silicon Valley.

Philips Lumileds equipment donation supports materials science research at UCSC

Philips Lumileds has donated an advanced system for the synthesis of high-quality semiconductor materials to the Baskin School of Engineering.

Health sciences major awarded Sutter scholarship for medical school

Max Caccese, 23, was chosen to receive this year's Primary Care Physician Award. Caccese will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

Students win $25,500 in scholarship money to study abroad

Seven UCSC students who will be studying abroad in fall 2010 through the UC Education Abroad Program were awarded a total of $25,500 in scholarship money from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program.

UC Santa Cruz is recognized for exemplary environmental practices

UC Santa Cruz has received a prestigious Acterra's 2010 Business Environmental Award for campus programs that prevent pollution and conserve resources. The award was presented to the campus during an evening ceremony on June 3 in Palo Alto.

UCSC's Farm and Garden Market Cart open Tuesday, Friday

The UCSC Farm and Garden's Market Cart is now open Tuesdays and Friday's offering farm fresh spring produce and flowers at the base of the UC Santa Cruz campus (corner of Bay and High streets).

Astronomer Jerry Nelson wins prestigious Kavli Prize in Astrophysics

UCSC astronomer Jerry Nelson will share the $1 million Kavli Prize in Astrophysics with two other researchers for their innovations in the field of telescope design.

More air times set for UCTV show featuring UC Santa Cruz

Community Television of Santa Cruz has set additional broadcast times for the spring <i>State of Minds</i></a> news magazine show produced by UCTV and featuring several segments taped at UC Santa Cruz.

Memorial Day ceremony highlights UCSC's dedication to veterans

UC Santa Cruz's fledgling veterans support network is promoting this hilly, wooded campus as a sanctuary for students transitioning out of or into military life.

Slug duo wins NCAA national championship in men's tennis

The UC Santa Cruz tandem of Marc Vartabedian and Brian Pybas captured the NCAA Division III Men's Doubles Championship on Sunday afternoon, completing an unblemished four-day run in which they never lost a set.

Theater arts professor receives NEH fellowship plus UC President's grant for book on dance legend Martha Graham

UC Santa Cruz theater arts professor Mark Franko has received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship to complete a book on legendary dancer, choreographer, and modern dance pioneer Martha Graham.

UCSC Opera Theater offers 'The Elixir of Love,' June 3-6

L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) will performed in the original Italian by a delightful student cast and the full UCSC Orchestra, June 3-6 at the Music Center Recital Hall.

Student Achievement Week at UC Santa Cruz

Outstanding visual artists, performers, researchers, and scholars will share the spotlight during Undergraduate Achievement Week, May 29 to June 4.

A Cappella Records wins top spot, $12,000 at UCSC Business Plan competition

A Cappella Records was the winner of the second-annual UC Santa Cruz Business Plan Competition, nabbing the top $12,000 prize, which also includes professional services and work space.

Health sciences student wins $10,000 award to support her work in Nigeria

Evelyn Castle received a $10,000 public service scholarship to support her efforts to improve health care in Nigeria.

Astrophysicist Jonathan Fortney awarded Urey Prize for planetary research

The American Astronomical Society has awarded the 2010 Harold C. Urey Prize in Planetary Science to astronomer Jonathan Fortney.

UCTV show featuring UC Santa Cruz now available for viewing

The television magazine show "State of Minds" produced by UCTV and featuring several segments filmed last month on the UC Santa Cruz campus is now online and available for viewing.

New version of Linux OS includes Ceph file system developed at UCSC

Ceph, an open-source file system developed by UCSC computer scientists, offers an innovative approach to the data storage challenge.

UCSC showcases most promising artists in 2010 Irwin Scholar exhibition

Angry turkeys, space boats, floating pigs, and stoic football players are examples of objects that are violently mixed together in a splattered haze of bright colors and layered patterns.

UCSC music professor to be keynote speaker at UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education

UC Santa Cruz professor of music Hi Kyung Kim will be one of five keynote speakers at the second UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education--the largest global event in the field.

Graduate Research Symposium features award-winning student work

The University Center on campus was abuzz with discussion on Friday, May 14, as 77 UC Santa Cruz students presented their research via poster, oral, or multimedia presentations at the sixth annual Graduate Research Symposium.

Study documents widespread extinction of lizard populations due to climate change

A major survey of lizard populations worldwide has found an alarming pattern of population extinctions attributable to rising temperatures.

Two UCSC faculty win Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards

Two theater arts faculty members at UC Santa Cruz have been honored with 2009 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards.

UC Santa Cruz's Harry Berger Jr. honored with top UC award for emeriti faculty

The 2010 Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeriti Award, honoring emeriti professors in the University of California system, has been awarded to UC Santa Cruz professor emeritus of literature Harry Berger Jr.

Botanist Jean Langenheim recounts her life and times in The Odyssey of a Woman Field Scientist

Jean Langenheim, professor emerita of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, has published a memoir about her life as a woman field scientist.

Women's Club awards $20,000 in scholarships to re-entry students

The UCSC Women's Club, a campus Friends organization, awarded $20,000 in scholarships to re-entry students at UC Santa Cruz this year, a record for the club in terms of the number of scholarships awarded and the total amount of the awards.

Graduate student research showcased at May 14 symposium

On Friday, May 14, from 2 to 5 p.m., the University Center will come alive with poster, oral, or multimedia presentations from the 75 graduate students who will be featured at this year's Graduate Student Research Symposium.

Tom Pettigrew honored by International Society for Political Psychology

Thomas F. Pettigrew, research professor of social psychology at UC Santa Cruz, has been named winner of the 2010 Harold Lasswell Award by the International Society for Political Psychology.

Education professor's book set explores art and science of classroom teaching

Brad Olsen approaches the art and science of teaching from his personal experience as both teacher and student. The associate professor of education at UC Santa Cruz, is editor of a new six-volume set of books on the craft of teaching called the <i>Teache

Neanderthal genome yields insights into human evolution and evidence of interbreeding

After extracting ancient DNA from the 40,000-year-old bones of Neanderthals, scientists have obtained a draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome.

Electrical engineer Michael Isaacson honored by Microscopy Society of America

The Microscopy Society of America has chosen UCSC electrical engineer Michael Isaacson to receive its 2010 Distinguished Scientist Award for the Physical Sciences.

Life Lab opens the garden for summer day camps

Registration has opened for summer day camps offered by Life Lab at the UC Santa Cruz Farm for children ages 4-14.

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Anna Tsing wins Guggenheim Fellowship

UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Anna Tsing has won a Guggenheim Fellowship to further her research into the commodity chain and global ecology of the matsutake mushroom.

Art professor's New Orleans photo makes opening credits of new HBO series

Tune into <i>Treme,</i> the new HBO television series by David Simon (<i>The Wire</i>) about post-Katrina New Orleans, and in the opening credits you will see a photograph taken by UCSC associate professor of art Lewis Watts.

UCTV hosts next State of Minds from UC Santa Cruz

Cowell College courtyard, Terra Fresca restaurant, Earth and Marine Sciences building, the Great meadow, and the Digital Arts Research Center all serve as backdrops for the next edition of State of Minds, a 30-minute video magazine produced by UCTV.

Earth and planetary scientist Gary Glatzmaier elected to National Academy of Sciences

Gary Glatzmaier, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his excellence in original scientific research.

UCSC graduate students to showcase digital art with social impact

Fourteen graduate students from UCSC's Digital Arts and New Media M.F.A. Program (DANM) will conclude two years of artistic study with "Things That Are Possible"--an exhibition of their work running April 30 through May 9 at the campus's new Digital Arts

Ronald Evans, hormone expert who found "exercise in a pill," to speak at UCSC on Thursday, May 6

Ronald M. Evans, an authority on hormones whose research on exercise and metabolism led to the discovery of compounds that act like "exercise in a pill" in lab tests, will deliver the 2010 Sinsheimer Lecture in Biology at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, May 6.

Bratt brothers bring a little Hollywood to Santa Cruz

Alumnus and filmmaker Peter Bratt and his brother, TV and movie star Benjamin Bratt, were in town and on campus recently as part of the local premiere of <i>La Mission.</i>

Earth sciences program ranked 13th in U.S. News grad school survey

The graduate program in Earth sciences at UCSC was ranked 13th in a survey of U.S. doctoral programs in the sciences published by <i>U.S. News and World Report.</i>

Academic Senate makes narrative evaluations instructor optional

The Academic Senate voted overwhelmingly April 23 to modify the narrative evaluation policy to make it instructor optional.

UC Santa Cruz literature professor Nathaniel Mackey receives Guggenheim for poetry

UC Santa Cruz literature professor Nathaniel Mackey has been awarded a 2010 Guggenheim Fellowship for poetry.

UCSC community supports local charities even in tough times

The UC Santa Cruz community once again showed compassion and generosity during the campus's 2009 year-end fundraising drive.

UCSC to celebrate Grand Opening of Digital Arts Research Center on April 29

UC Santa Cruz will celebrate the arts and a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community on Thursday, April 29, when the campus officially opens its new Digital Arts Research Center.

Four UCSC professors elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Four UCSC faculty members are among the newly elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

UCSC hosts International Summer Institute for Modeling in Astrophysics

UCSC has launched a new summer institute that brings together scientists and students from a broad range of backgrounds to study current problems in theoretical astrophysics.

UCSC theater faculty up for eight Bay Area Critics Circle Awards

Theater Arts faculty at UC Santa Cruz have received eight nominations for the 2009 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards.

UC Santa Cruz's fall 2010 'admit rate' reflects continued competitiveness for freshman spaces

New institute prepares science and engineering grad students to teach

The Institute for Scientist and Engineer Educators prepares science and engineering graduate students for teaching.

Spring and summer gardening ideas offered at April 25 workshop

UCSC researcher contributes to major hominid fossil find in South Africa

Researchers in South Africa have discovered two remarkably well-preserved fossil skeletons of an ancient human ancestor dating to almost 2 million years ago.

Tennis coach Bob Hansen consistently serves up national champs

Bob Hansen may just be the country's best-kept collegiate coaching secret.

UC Santa Cruz, CENIC unveil regional fiber-optic network

UC Santa Cruz, community leaders, and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) celebrated completion of the final link in the Fiber to the Future project that achieves a 10-fold increase in the campus's connection to CENIC's

UCSC Farm CSA program now accepting memberships

Shares are now available in the UC Santa Cruz Farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, with pickups scheduled to start in early June.

Economic meltdown prompts a rethinking of capitalism

Two dozen scholars from around the world will gather at UC Santa Cruz April 8-10 to explore the social and political effects of modern-day capitalism and the global economy in light of esoteric financial instruments that nearly brought it down.

Nadine Gassner receives 2010 Ellen Weaver Award for mentoring women in science

Nadine Gassner, associate director of the UC Santa Cruz Chemical Screening Center, has been chosen to receive the 2010 Ellen Weaver Award for mentoring young women in science.

Community invited to Day by the Bay celebration April 17

For the first time, UC Santa Cruz is expanding its annual reunion weekend with "Day by the Bay," an open invitation to the Santa Cruz community to visit the UCSC campus on Saturday, April 17 for a fair and picnic along with a host of other activities.

Social Documentation director is executive producer of new PBS documentary

Professor Renee Tajima-Pena, graduate director of the Social Documentation program at UC Santa Cruz, is executive producer of <i>Whatever it Takes,</i> a new documentary airing on PBS March 30 at 10 p.m. The films follows an retail executive who becomes p

Monitoring program surveys California's marine ecosystems

Teams of scientists are conducting the most comprehensive assessment ever undertaken of California's coastal ecosystems as part of a monitoring program for the growing network of marine protected areas along the coast.

Rare Hawaiian monk seal brought to Long Marine Lab for study and treatment

A Hawaiian monk seal is providing UCSC researchers with a rare opportunity to study the physiology of this critically endangered species.

Student profile: Christian Schwarz--a fascination with fungi

Christian Schwarz is a senior ecology and evolution major with a passion for all things that fly, swim, run, or grow--but his soft spot is fungi.

UCSC wins $2.1 million to collaborate with Watsonville High School teachers

A multidisciplinary team at UC Santa Cruz has been awarded a $2.1 million grant to foster collaborations between UCSC graduate students and Watsonville-area high school teachers to develop innovative approaches to teaching math and science through hands-o

New Hubble treasury project to survey first third of cosmic time

Astronomers will peer deep into the universe in five directions to document the early history of star formation and galaxy evolution in an ambitious new project requiring an unprecedented amount of time on the Hubble Space Telescope.

New York Times features story on historical impact of UCSC's Grateful Dead Archive

The front page of the March 11 Arts section of the New York Times featured a story by Larry Rohter about UCSC's Grateful Dead Archive and its historical impact and value.

UC Santa Cruz makes 'most beautiful college campuses' list

UC Santa Cruz is among the campuses cited by Forbes magazine as the "most beautiful" in the world.

Be a part of history: Participate in the 2010 Census

Researchers to explore hidden world of life beneath seafloor

A new science and technology center will coordinate the efforts of scientists to explore the "deep biosphere" beneath the ocean floor.

Seymour Center honors alumna Kathryn Sullivan with Global Oceans Award

The Seymour Center at Long Marine Laboratory will honor former astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan at the Global Oceans Awards Gala.

Transportation Update: Both campus entrances open, vehicles traveling through each

Baskin School of Engineering sponsors award for girls in computing

The Baskin School of Engineering is helping to sponsor a new award for young women in the greater San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in computing and technology.

First large exhibition of UCSC's Grateful Dead Archive opens in New York on March 5

The first large-scale exhibition of materials from the Grateful Dead Archive at the University of California, Santa Cruz, will be on display at the New-York Historical Society from March 5 through July 4.

Friends Group celebrates 25 years, receives major Osher grant

The Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded a $65,000 grant to UCSC Lifelong Learners and will give a like amount to the group next year. Lifelong Learners plans to increase its membership and expand its program; if it is successful, it will become eligible

Massive planet is being torn apart by its own tides

An international group of astrophysicists has determined that a massive planet outside our Solar System is being distorted and destroyed by its host star.

Fire Damages West Entrance Kiosk, Arson Suspected

A fire inside the kiosk at the campus's West Entrance early Sunday morning was contained to that single structure. Investigators believe the fire, which started at approximately 3:30 a.m., was intentionally set.

Pioneering marine mammal scientist Ronald Schusterman dies at age 77

Ronald Schusterman, a pioneering marine mammal scientist, died on February 11 at Stanford Hospital after a brief hospitalization. He was 77.

Genome analysis of marine microbe reveals a metabolic minimalist

An unusual marine microbe appears to have ditched several major metabolic pathways, leaving it with a remarkably reduced set of genes.

UCSC featured in March issue of Atlantic magazine

The March issue of <i>The Atlantic</i> features a story by senior editor Joshua Green on the Library's Grateful Dead Archive.

Evolutionary game of rock-paper-scissors may lead to new species

New research on lizards supports an old idea about how species can originate.

Sandra Chung elected vice president of Linguistic Society of America

UCSC professor of linguistics Sandra Chung has been elected as vice president and president-elect of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA).

Astrophysicist Jonathan Fortney awarded Sloan Research Fellowship

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to Jonathan Fortney, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

Anna Deavere Smith: Reignited imagination key to closing racial divide

To address the problems that arise over ongoing racial divides--gang violence, poverty, inequality--we need to look back to the lessons of Martin Luther King Jr. and reignite our collective imagination about what it's like to be the "other person."

UC Santa Cruz joins ranks of top large universities for Peace Corps

UC Santa Cruz ranks No. 21 on the annual list of "Peace Corps Top Colleges and Universities," even after moving from the mid-size to the large university category because of increased enrollment.

UCSC Scholarship Benefit Dinner raises more than $160,000 to support students

More than 300 people turned out for the seventh annual UC Santa Cruz Scholarship Benefit Dinner that took place Saturday night at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.

Composite nanomaterials show promise for solar hydrogen generation

A novel strategy for engineering semiconductor materials can boost the performance of water-splitting solar cells for hydrogen production.

UCSC ranked among top 20 worldwide in geosciences

In a recent survey of the top institutions in geosciences, UCSC ranked 18th in the world.

Lecture series explores innovation, examines trends and opportunities for the next decade

The What's Next Lecture Series kicks off its five-part innovation program with a look at "Sustainability and Social Innovation: Doing Well by Doing Good," on February 18. Presented by NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, the City of Santa Cruz Redevelopment

Astronomer Raja Guhathakurta mentors Intel science contest finalist

A student at the Harker School in San Jose has been named a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search for her project on the Andromeda galaxy carried out under the guidance of UCSC astronomer Puragra (Raja) Guhathakurta.

UC Santa Cruz lecturer named first Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County

UC Santa Cruz humanities lecturer Gary Young has been named the first-ever Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County.

Researchers trace effects of genetic defect in myotonic muscular dystrophy

Research on the genetic defect that causes myotonic muscular dystrophy has revealed that the mutation disrupts an array of metabolic pathways in muscle cells.

Robert Irion, director of Science Communication Program, wins journalism award

Robert Irion has been awarded the 2010 David N. Schramm award from the American Astronomical Society.

Humanities professor wins 2009 prize for scholarly outreach

Professor of classics and comparative literature Mary-Kay Gamel has been awarded the 2009 Prize for Scholarly Outreach from the American Philological Association (APA)--the national classics association

UC Santa Cruz receives nearly 35,000 undergraduate applications for Fall '10

Nearly 35,000 prospective undergraduates have applied for admission to the University of California, Santa Cruz for the upcoming fall quarter. Numbers released by UC's Office of the President on January 14 showed that UC Santa Cruz attracted 34,630 applic

7th annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner to support UCSC students--Feb. 6 at Tech Museum in San Jose

UCSC will host its seventh annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner on Saturday, February 6, at the Tech Museum in San Jose.

UC Santa Cruz hosts conference for undergraduate women in physics

The Department of Physics is hosting the fifth annual West Coast Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics from January 15 to 17.

Cassini data show Enceladus in motion

Blobs of warm ice that periodically rise to the surface and churn the icy crust on Saturn's moon Enceladus explain the quirky heat behavior and intriguing surface of the moon's south polar region.

New tidal streams found in Andromeda reveal history of galactic mergers

Astronomers have identified two new tidal streams in the Andromeda galaxy, the remnants of dwarf galaxies consumed by our large galactic neighbor.

Engineers Milanfar and Vesecky named 2010 IEEE Fellows

Two professors of electrical engineering have been named Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Award-winning women writers to be featured in UCSC's 2010 Living Writers Series

How do women writers view history differently than men? That's the key question posed by "Another Look: Women Writers Re-Vision History"--the winter installment of UCSC's annual Living Writers Series.

Proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee funds for UC

Vowing to protect higher education funding, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today revealed a bold proposal to amend the state constitution to shift money from prisons to higher education.

Literature professor's book makes Choice magazine's list of Outstanding Academic Titles for 2009

Literature professor Rob Wilson's book "Be Always Converting, Be Always Converted: An American Poetics" (Harvard University Press) has been selected as one of Choice magazine's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2009.

Hubble reaches "undiscovered country" of primeval galaxies

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has broken the distance limit for galaxies and uncovered a primordial population of compact and ultra-blue galaxies that have never been seen before.