Press Releases

Jane McHenry, wife of founding chancellor, dies at age of 101

Jane McHenry, who partnered with her husband to nurture UCSC through its infancy, has passed away at the age of 101.

Social science faculty win nearly $7.4 million in research grants

Social Science faculty at UC Santa Cruz were awarded nearly $7.4 million in research grants so far during the current academic year, Dean Sheldon Kamieniecki announced.

UCSC announces lineup for Winter 2014 Living Writers Series

Award-winning author and alumna Reyna Grande will kick off the winter 2014 Living Writers reading series at UCSC, one of a number of notable UCSC graduates who will return to campus to give readings and talk about their success in the writing world.

UCSC alums contribute comment, analysis after Nelson Mandela's death

The recollections and analysis of UC Santa Cruz alumni figured prominently after the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela earlier this month.

Life lessons and a fast break for success

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

Deep-sea corals record dramatic long-term shift in Pacific Ocean ecosystem

Long-lived deep-sea corals preserve evidence of a major shift in the open Pacific Ocean ecosystem since around 1850.

Game designer Brenda Romero among top ten game developers of 2013

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

UCSC’s Ethics Bowl team qualifies for national competition

UCSC’s Ethics Bowl team placed third at the Regional Ethics Bowl Tournament hosted by National Hispanic University on Saturday, qualifying the campus to compete at the National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Competition.

Astrophysicists launch ambitious assessment of galaxy formation simulations

UCSC leads international collaboration to compare computer simulations of galaxy formation and evolution

Chemist Ilan Benjamin elected Fellow of American Physical Society

Ilan Benjamin, professor and chair of chemistry, has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Hawaiian monk seal toy raises funds to save endangered species

A UCSC marine biologist offers cuddly "Real Seal" toys, one for each of the 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals left in the world.

Acclaimed director Peter Sellars channels the power of art at Maitra Lecture

Peter Sellars, one of America’s leading directors, spoke of art's transformative and community-building power at sold-out, 13th annual Maitra Lecture on campus.

UCSC computer scientists turn software verification into gameplay

The puzzle game 'Xylem' is a crowd-sourced solution for improving the security of software code.

Watsonville's new mayor is a UC Santa Cruz alum, a first for the city

The selection of Karina Cervantez (Kresge, '03, psychology) as Watsonville's mayor two weeks ago means UC Santa Cruz graduates hold the top municipal seats in Santa Cruz County's two largest cities.

Slippery fault unleashed destructive Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami

The first measurement of friction during an earthquake yielded a surprisingly low value for the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

Student robotics competition on December 5 features 'Ender's Game' theme

The public is invited to watch droids built by student teams compete in the "Slugs vs. Bugs" challenge.

Visionary director Peter Sellars to deliver 2013 Maitra Lecture

The UC Santa Cruz Foundation presents the 13th annual Sidhartha Maitra Memorial Lecture--featuring acclaimed opera, theater and festival director Peter Sellars--on Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m.

Professor J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves elected to Mexican Academy of Sciences

Professor of computer engineering J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves has been elected a corresponding member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences.

Nathaniel Deutsch wins book award from Association for Jewish Studies

Nathaniel Deutsch, professor of history and co-director of UCSC’s Center for Jewish Studies, has received the 2013 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award from the Association for Jewish Studies

Algebra Academy gives eighth graders a pathway to college

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

UCSC's Museum of Natural History holds open house November 22 and 23

'Skins and Bones' is the theme for this year's open house at the UCSC Museum of Natural History.

A nonconformist in a school of mavericks

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

Hidden workshop turns out complex equipment for UCSC scientists

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

Arboretum holds annual Gift and Wreath Sale on November 23 and 24

Decorations and gifts for Thanksgiving and the holidays will be available at the Arboretum's annual Gift and Wreath Sale.

Korean traditional music & dance concert premieres UCSC faculty works

Korean traditional music and dance, including new works by UCSC music faculty, will be presented by master performers of the Korea National University of Arts on Nov. 21.

Into the wild: UCSC students learn to track and understand local animals as part of a unique OPERS class

An intensive course at UCSC teaches students to connect more closely with nature and pay more careful attention to their surroundings.

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

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

UCSC ceremony honors Sam Farr as a 'Champion of Science'

U.S. Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) received the Champion of Science Award at a UC Santa Cruz ceremony that highlighted his efforts to support research in sustainable agriculture and ocean sciences, two of UCSC's strengths.

Theatre Arts’ Kathy Foley directs students in 'Mughal Miniatures:Tales of Love'

Theater arts professor Kathy Foley and a student cast collaborate for an evening of Indian and Persian tales November 8-17.

UCSC team wins cancer genomics competition

A team of bioinformatics experts made the most accurate predictions in a challenge to identify signaling networks in breast cancer cells.

State ban on lead ammunition supported by years of research at UCSC

Environmental toxicologists documented the effects of lead from bullets on wildlife and testified before legislative committees

Award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye to read at 4th annual Morton Marcus memorial event

UCSC will host the fourth annual Morton Marcus Memorial Poetry Reading featuring award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye on Nov. 14

Celebration of two new Jewish Studies books Nov. 13

UCSC’s Center for Jewish Studies and University Library will present a celebration of two new books on Jewish Studies--featuring professors Peter Kenez and Murray Baumgarten, and librarian Lee Jaffe, Nov. 13 at Stevenson College.

Marine scientists track spread of sea star wasting disease

A mysterious disease that causes sea stars to decay and fall apart within a few days has become widespread along the U.S. west coast.

Hitachi sponsors UCSC research in cancer genomics and data storage

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

SSC holiday show 'It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens Nov. 15

Nine actors perform dozens of characters from the beloved 1946 Frank Capra movie, in the style of a live 1940s radio broadcast, in this holiday show presented by Shakespeare Santa Cruz and the Theater Arts Department

UCSC well represented at upcoming Santa Cruz Film Festival

A wide range of films by UCSC faculty, students, and alumni will be showcased at the 2013 Santa Cruz Film Festival, running November 7- 12 in downtown Santa Cruz.

Surgical robot built at UCSC featured in 'Ender's Game' movie

The Raven II surgical robot developed in Jacob Rosen's Bionics Lab makes a cameo appearance in the new movie "Ender's Game."

UCSC internships for high school students yield success in science contests

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

Biologist Manuel Ares receives Outstanding Faculty Award

Biology professor Manuel Ares has received the 2012-13 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.

Norris Lecture features a panel of marine wildlife veterinarians on November 7

A panel of three marine wildlife veterinarians from the Monterey Bay area will discuss their work in the annual Norris Memorial Lecture.

Institute to host second art/science LASER evening Nov. 5

UCSC’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present its second LASER event on Nov. 5, beginning at 6:45 p.m. at the Digital Arts Research Center

Social Sciences Research Frontiers Day spotlights 21st century challenges

Twelve professors from eight disciplines in the Social Sciences presented their research on contemporary issues at the division’s first Research Frontiers Day, held on campus at Colleges Nine and Ten.

Study maps human impacts on top ocean predators along U.S. west coast

Research shows where human impacts are highest on marine predators such as whales, seals, seabirds, and turtles.

UCSC coastal experts testify at Assembly committee hearing

The hearing, held at Seymour Marine Discovery Center, provided information for state policy decisions.

Humanities Division’s Rothman Award honors freshman writing students

UCSC student Alma Morales and her writing instructor Steven Carter were awarded first place for Morales’s essay, "Nina de Mexico, Student of America--Daughter of Nowhere" in the 2012-13 Don Rothman Writing Awards.

UCSC student to direct Larry Kramer's groundbreaking play

UCSC student Adam Odsess-Rubin will direct a Theater Arts Department production of Larry Kramer's award-winning, unflinching 1985 drama The Normal Heart, November 1-10, in the Theater Arts Experimental Theater.

Prominent legal scholar to speak on legal reform in Japan

Professor Setsuo Miyazawa, Japan’s most prominent socio-legal scholar, will speak on legal reforms in Japan, Friday, October 25, at UC Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz launches $300-million fundraising campaign

The University of California, Santa Cruz, today announced the launch of its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, an ambitious effort to raise $300 million to support students, research activities, other academic programs, and campus facilities.

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

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

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

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

UCSC hosts experimental economics conference, researchers probe choices

Experimental economists from around the world will gather in Santa Cruz next weekend for the 2013 North American Economic Science Association Conference co-sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department and its Learning and Experimental Economics Projects lab.

UCSC astrophysicist Charlie Conroy wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

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

Astronomers find most distant gravitational lens

Discovery of the most distant gravitational lens allows direct measurement of the mass of a distant galaxy, but also poses a mystery

Paul Koch honored as a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences

Paul Koch, dean of physical and biological sciences, has been named a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences

MacArthur ‘genius’ photographer Carrie Mae Weems to speak at UCSC

Carrie Mae Weems--a photographer, video artist, and social activist who explores the complex legacy of African American identity, class, and culture in the United States—will come to the UCSC campus for a visiting artist talk on Monday, October 21.

New economic research center explores policy solutions, improvements to financial markets

The first event of the Center for Analytical Finance (CAFIN), a new research center at UC Santa Cruz, will feature a lecture by Professor Ila Patnaik, an expert on India’s economy, Monday, October 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Economics Conference Room (E2, room 499) on the UCSC campus.

USDA grant boosts opportunities for sustainable agriculture education

A three-year, $730,000 grant will help UCSC expand courses and team with Cabrillo and Hartnell colleges to bring more students into four-year degree programs focused on sustainable agriculture.

Rainbow Theater celebrates 20 years with numerous shows

UCSC's Rainbow Theater, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has a busy fall quarter planned

UCSC to present symposium on Arab film and visual culture

Artists and scholars from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Canada, Europe, and the U.S. will converge at the UCSC campus on October 25-26 for "Unfixed Itineraries," a two-day symposium on film and visual culture from Arab worlds.

Celebration of the life of John Marcum set for November 2 at Merrill College

A celebration of the life of John Marcum, former Merrill provost and professor emeritus of politics, is set for Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Merrill College Cultural Center, beginning at 2 p.m.

Social Sciences division honors teaching, staff, and scholarship

Marianna Santana received the Outstanding Staff Award for 2012-2013 and Gregory Gilbert the Golden Apple teaching award Wednesday as the UC Santa Cruz Division of Social Sciences held its annual fall staff and faculty breakfast.

New device harnesses sun and sewage to produce hydrogen fuel

A device that uses sunlight and wastewater to produce hydrogen gas could provide sustainable energy and treat wastewater.

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

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

First Research Frontiers Day features social science research on contemporary issues

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

UCSC scientists applaud Nobel Prize for Higgs discovery

UCSC physicists played a significant role in advancing and confirming the theory that earned this year's Nobel Prize in physics.

Baskin School of Engineering showcases research advances on October 17

Data science, mobile and pervasive computing, and regenerative medicine are featured topics at BSOE's annual Research Review Day.

Cover crop workshop covers how to protect and improve your soil

Gardeners, don’t put away your spade and fork just yet. Fall is the time to plant cover crops, and master gardener Orin Martin will show you how at an upcoming workshop at UC Santa Cruz’s Alan Chadwick Garden.

Helene Moglen to give Emeriti Lecture: ‘From Frankenstein to Facebook’

Are stories about our ambivalent love affairs with our machines stories of imprisonment or empowerment? Are we in charge of our avatars, personal profiles and robots? Find out Oct. 29 at UCSC’s Emeriti Faculty Lecture.

UCSC receives National Leadership Grant for Libraries

UCSC has been awarded a grant of $418,540 from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for a project titled “From Descriptive Metadata to Citation: Building a Framework for Search and Communication in Game Studies.”

Genetic study of river herring populations identifies conservation priorities

Analysis of river herring populations along the U.S. east coast has identified distinct genetic stocks, providing crucial guidance for management and conservation.

Astronomers observe distant galaxy powered by primordial cosmic fuel

Astronomers have detected cold streams of primordial hydrogen gas left over from the big bang fueling a distant star-forming galaxy.

Astronomers find patchy clouds on exotic world

Astronomers have created the first cloud map of a planet beyond our solar system, a sizzling, Jupiter-like world known as Kepler-7b.

Sesnon Gallery to feature American artist Charles Griffin Farr

"Formal Complexity," a new exhibition at the Sesnon Gallery, highlights UCSC’s permanent collection of figurative works by the late artist Charles Griffin Farr (1908-1997).

Institute to present inaugural Leonardo Art/Science Evening, Oct. 8

On Tuesday, October 8, UCSC's Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present the campus’s inaugural LASER event, hosting an evening of speakers who will lay the foundation for a new UCSC series by speaking about the intertwining of art and science.

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

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

Seeds from UCSC Arboretum may help threatened species in aftermath of recent fire

Arboretum experts help with recovery of a threatened plant species after a fire burned its entire habitat.

John A. Marcum, Africa scholar, UCSC politics professor emeritus, dies at 86

John A. Marcum, a renowned Africa scholar, UCSC professor emeritus of politics, and former Merrrill Provost died September 12 in Santa Cruz at age 86.

UCSC’s Carolyn Dunn to direct play at National Congress of American Indians conference

Carolyn Dunn--director of UCSC’s American Indian Resource Center, managing director of the campus’s student resource centers, and literature lecturer—will direct a new play by acclaimed playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle at the National Congress of American Indians annual conference.

UCSC to receive $500,000 in support of endowed chair in Jewish Studies

UC Santa Cruz has announced a major new gift to support the campus’s Jewish Studies Program.

Seismologists puzzle over largest deep earthquake ever recorded

A magnitude 8.3 earthquake that struck deep beneath the Sea of Okhotsk on May 24 was the largest deep earthquake ever recorded.

UCSC to crowdsource funding for scholarships

Supporters of public education are doing everything from donning Banana Slug suits to giving up coffee as part of a creative crowdfunding effort for scholarships.

UCSC research funding tops $130 million for 2012-13

UCSC researchers attracted $132.5 million in external grants and contracts to the campus in the 2012-13 fiscal year.

UCSC economics chair testifies on bill to raise California's minimum wage

UC Santa Cruz professor and chair of economics Rob Fairlie told state lawmakers that California's minimum wage should be raised so its purchasing power doesn’t continue to erode with inflation.

UCSC Farm hosts Fall Harvest Festival Sunday, September 29

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

UCSC hires game industry veterans to run professional degree program

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

Humanities to host exhibit celebrating centennial of Albert Camus

Beginning on October 15, UCSC will be one of 500 venues worldwide to host an exhibit commemorating the 100th birthday of the French Nobel Prize winning author and philosopher Albert Camus. The new digital/paper exhibit combines print editorial with QR code technology.

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

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

California's sea otter numbers continue slow climb

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

Two UCSC film students receive Princess Grace awards

UCSC graduate students Lena Jackson and Claire Miyamoto have each been awarded a 2013 Princess Grace Foundation Honorarium in the category of documentary film.

CrowdGrader brings crowdsourcing to the task of grading homework

A new crowdsourcing tool developed at UCSC gets students involved in grading homework assignments.

NSF grant supports training of math and science teachers at UCSC

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

History professor receives ACLS Fellowship to research ‘history of future’ in Mexico

UCSC associate professor of history Matt O’Hara has received a 2013-14 fellowship of $45,000 from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) to write and additionally research his upcoming book titled “The History of the Future in Mexico.”

New Cassini data from Titan indicate a rigid, weathered ice shell

An analysis of gravity and topography data from Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has revealed unexpected features of the moon's outer ice shell.

Organic plant sale at UC Santa Cruz kicks off fall gardening season

The UCSC Farm & Garden’s Fall Plant Sale will offer a rich and timely selection of organically raised vegetable seedlings, perennials, and California natives.

UCSC well represented at White House student loan bill signing

A UC Santa Cruz alumnus and a current student watched in the Oval Office earlier this month as President Obama signed the historic bill that cuts student loan interest rates. Another alum helped lobby for the bill.

Engineering Summer Bridge program celebrates 10 years serving new students

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

Office of Civil Rights completes its investigation, closes complaint against UCSC

A complaint against UC Santa Cruz, alleging that the campus created a hostile environment for Jewish students, has been dismissed by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.

Update on fire near West Entrance

A wildland fire near Empire Grade and the West Entrance to campus is reported under control.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz to end 32-year run due to budget problems

UC Santa Cruz announced today that this will be the final season for Shakespeare Santa Cruz (SSC), the professional repertory company in residence at the campus. The current season, the 32nd since the festival debuted on campus in 1981, will conclude this year following the annual holiday show in December.

Sea otters promote recovery of seagrass beds

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

UCSC ranked among best colleges for computer science and humanities majors

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

SCIPP director Steve Ritz helped ensure Fermi mission's scientific bounty

UCSC physicist Steve Ritz was project scientist for NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Science and Justice Training Program explores ethics of scientific research

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

Film grad promoting documentary that won chancellor’s award

Last May, UCSC graduate student Sadia Halima received the Chancellor’s Research Award for her thesis film Laal Pari/The Red Fairy, a documentary addressing women’s participation in politics at the grassroots level in rural India. Her documentary has now been accepted for screening at several international film festivials

UCSC establishes Department of Technology Management

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

The astonishing world of UCSC alumnus artist Brandon Bird

UCSC alumnus Brandon Bird is an artist known for his inclination to draw and paint figures from pop culture in absurd situations. The Internet phenomenon returns to Santa Cruz on Aug. 19 to celebrate his first book with a reading, discussion, and signing at Bookshop Santa Cruz.

2013-14 Campus Food & Garden Guide now available

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

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

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

Royal Astronomical Society honors astronomer Sandra Faber

The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded astronomer Sandra Faber an Honorary Fellowship of the RAS.

UCSC alumna Kathy Sullivan nominated to lead NOAA

President Obama has nominated UCSC alumna Kathryn Sullivan to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

UCSC’s Dana Frank speaks in Congress about Human Rights in Honduras

UC Santa Cruz history professor Dana Frank testified last week before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. House of Representatives about human rights and U.S. policy in Honduras.

Psychology professor Phillip Hammack wins early career award

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

UCSC awarded three NEH grants for Humanities projects

UC Santa Cruz has received three grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support humanities projects in the Literature Department.

Chancellor, other university leaders warn of 'innovation deficit'

UCSC chancellor George Blumenthal is one of 165 university presidents and chancellors in the United States who have signed an open letter to President Obama and members of congress, expressing concern about federal budget cuts to research and higher education.

UCSC acquires powerful new astrophysics supercomputer system

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

Physicist Hitoshi Murayama to speak on 'The Quantum Universe' August 14

Renowned physicist Hitoshi Murayama will give a public lecture on "The Quantum Universe" on Wednesday, August 14, at the Rio Theater.

Earth scientist Casey Moore elected fellow of the American Geophysical Union

AGU fellows are a select group of distinguished scientists who have made exceptional scientific contributions in the field of Earth science.

In Memoriam: Doug Weismann

Doug Weismann, an Information Technology Services staff member, passed away over the weekend. He joined ITS in March of this year after many years as an employee of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and at Cisco Systems.

Descendants of Charles Dickens to appear at UCSC’s annual celebration

Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson, and Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, will speak and perform as part of the annual Dickens Universe program, running August 4-10 on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Scientific authorities sign TMT master agreement

The scientific authorities of the Thiry Meter Telescope partners have signed a master agreement defining the project goals and establishing a governance structure.

Colleges Nine and Ten Provost Helen Shapiro to head UC Washington Center

Helen Shapiro, provost of Colleges Nine and Ten at UC Santa Cruz, has been named executive director of the University of California's Washington Center known as UCDC.

UCSC dance research published in prestigious Psychology Science journal

A new study by a research group from UC Santa Cruz in dance has been published in Psychological Science, the highest ranked empirical journal in psychology.

UCSC politics professor pioneers research on law in fragile states

Mark Fathi Massoud's family fled Sudan in 1983 when he was a boy. Now a lawyer and assistant professor of politics and legal studies at UC Santa Cruz, Massoud has published his first book, 'Law’s Fragile State: Colonial, Authoritarian, and Humanitarian Legacies in Sudan'

Bees ‘betray’ their flowers when pollinator species decline, study shows

Remove even one bumblebee species from an ecosystem and the impact is swift and clear: Their floral “sweethearts” produce significantly fewer seeds, a new study finds.

Soc Doc alumna’s work with Syrian refugees featured on CBS News

UCSC alumna Bridgette Auger’s ongoing work with Syrian refugees is featured as “The Toll of Syria’s War” on the CBS News web site.

Regents appoint Janet Napolitano as UC's first woman president

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

Shakespeare Santa Cruz kicks off 2013 summer festival July 23

The 32nd season of Shakespeare Santa Cruz (SSC) opens July 23 with Shakespeare’s popular and thought-provoking comedy, The Taming of the Shrew.

UC Santa Cruz launches first online course with Coursera

UC Santa Cruz announced today the launch of its first free online course open to the public through the Coursera platform. Titled The Holocaust, the course traces the destruction of the Jews and Jewish life in Europe by Nazi Germany, drawing on major works of history, literature, and film.

Regents' special committee nominates Janet Napolitano for next UC president

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been nominated for appointment as the 20th president of the University of California, Regent Sherry Lansing announced today (July 12).

UCSC researchers develop 3D display with no ghosting for viewers without glasses

3D+2D TV allows viewers with stereo glasses to see 3D images, while viewers without the glasses see a normal 2D image.

Geothermal power facility induces earthquakes, study finds

Seismologists found a strong correlation between seismic activity and operations for production of geothermal power.

Lick Observatory's 'Saturday Stars' program offers prime viewing opportunities

A new program at Lick Observatory offers prime viewing opportunities for amateur astronomy groups.

Stanford, UCSC study predicts oil demand to peak around 2035

Fears of depleting the Earth’s supply of oil are unwarranted, according to new research, which describes instead a coming peak and decline in demand for oil.

Latin American and Latino Studies professor wins career enhancement fellowship

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

Seafloor research expedition features live online video feed

Hydrogeologist Andrew Fisher is leading an expedition to explore fluid flow and microbial habitats deep within the ocean crust.

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

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

Military sonar can alter blue whale behavior

Blue whales off the coast of California changed their behavior when exposed to underwater sounds like those used in U.S. military exercises.

Cover coup

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

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

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

Study reveals key step in protein synthesis

Scientists show how the protein-building ribosome translates genetic code into proteins without making mistakes.

Court's same sex marriage ruling called a sea change for gays, lesbians

The U.S. Supreme Court rulings on same sex marriage "suggest a sea change in our culture for gays and lesbians," said a UC Santa Cruz social psychologist who studies issues of sexual identity.

Scientists sequence genome of 700,000-year-old horse

An international team of scientists has sequenced the genome of an ancient horse that lived 700,000 years ago.

New 3-acre Hay Barn and 2-acre lower quarry fields added to UCSC Farm

A public tour is set for Saturday, June 29, of new fields added to the UCSC Farm. The tour, from 10 a.m. to noon, will include a visit to the soon-to-be restored historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.

Astronomers detect three planets in habitable zone of nearby star

A new study reveals a record-breaking three super-Earths orbiting in the "habitable zone" of a nearby star.

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

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

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

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

UCSC scientist attends White House ceremony honoring open science

David Haussler attended a White House event highlighting Open Science "Champions of Change."

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

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

Anthropologists argue field must play a vital role in climate change studies

Anthropologists can and must play a vital role in climate change studies, a UC Santa Cruz professor and a former UCSC doctoral student argue in an influential scholarly journal. That role has long been overlooked, they write.

Submarine springs reveal how coral reefs respond to ocean acidification

Ocean acidification due to rising carbon dioxide levels will reduce the density of coral skeletons, making coral reefs more vulnerable to disruption and erosion.

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

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

Gene patent decision called step forward for open research

Genetics researchers at UC Santa Cruz said the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous ruling that human genes cannot be patented will help keep advanced genetic research from being controlled by private biotechnology companies.

New exhibit now on display at UCSC’s Grateful Dead Archive

“Songs of Our Own: The Art of the Grateful Dead Phenomenon” is the second annual exhibition of The Grateful Dead Archive, now open to the public at UCSC’s McHenry Library.

Free poetry reading and music at UCSC's Alan Chadwick Garden June 23

The historic Alan Chadwick Garden at UC Santa Cruz will ring out with poetry and music on Sunday, June 23, from 12 noon until 2 p.m., when a bevy of award-winning poets will read their work.

Health sciences grad Aaron Surrey earns Sutter medical school scholarship

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

Anthropology professor Anna Tsing wins $5 million Danish research award

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

UCSC ranked in top 10 for 'City Year-AmeriCorps' participation

UC Santa Cruz students have a strong desire to give back. Supporting that fact is a new ranking that includes the campus among the top 10 feeder schools for City Year’s 2013-2014 corps.

Ten social science majors win undergraduate honor awards

Social Sciences Dean Sheldon Kamieniecki presented 10 students with social sciences majors with awards for their senior theses as part of his 2012-2013 undergraduate awards competition. Three of the students also won chancellor's awards.

Large-scale biodiversity is vital to maintain ecosystem health

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

Major study assesses sea level changes due to ice sheet losses

Improved satellite measurements and computer simulations of ice sheets are creating a more accurate picture of the current and future rise in global sea level.

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

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

7th annual screening of Soc Doc graduate films at Del Mar Theatre

UCSC presents the 7th annual exhibition of thesis films from the Film and Digital Media Department’s masters program in Social Documentation, June 12, at the Del Mar Theater.

New College Nine mural is a collaboration with OxfamUSA

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

UCSC commencements, June 14-16, feature myriad speakers

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

Engineering students present senior design projects

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

Music of the Spheres draws summer visitors to Lick Observatory

Lick Observatory's summer concert series features music, lectures, and star-gazing on Mt. Hamilton.

Popular Community Studies major reinstated at UC Santa Cruz

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

Linguistics professor receives Dizikes Award for teaching in Humanities

Linguistics professor Donka Farkas was presented with the 2013 John Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities yesterday at the Humanities Division’s Spring Awards Celebration.

Congressman Farr honors Sandy Faber at Senate meeting

U.S. Congressman Sam Farr paid a surprise visit to the May 29 meeting of UCSC's Academic Senate in order to pay tribute to astronomer Sandra Faber.

UCSC Spring Opera: Fidelity, love…and the Tour de France

Each spring, the UCSC Music Department offers up a major opera production--the only fully staged, live opera presentation in Santa Cruz County. This year it will present "Così fan tutte," a story of love and jealously, featuring the music of Mozart and the comic libretto of Lorenzo da Ponte.

UCSC showcases outstanding student artists in Irwin Scholars Exhibition

UCSC's Irwin Scholars Exhibition at the Sesnon Gallery features work from 12 students selected for outstanding work and promise in the visual arts.

Carbon capture technique produces hydrogen fuel, offsets ocean acidification

Scientists have discovered and demonstrated a new technique to remove and store atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Memorial events commemorate the life of Professor Aaronette White

Two events commemorating the life of UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Aaronette White are planned for Friday, May 31, and June 1, 2013 on the UCSC campus.

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

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

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

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

UCSC film professor celebrates release of new book at Lincoln Center

Two decades ago, UCSC film professor B. Ruby Rich coined the term “New Queer Cinema” to describe a new type of film making its debut at film festivals featuring lesbian and gay protagonists. Her latest book offers new thoughts on the topic and also brings together the best of Rich’s writing on the genre.

Global Nuclear Awareness Coalition to hold first public meeting

The Global Nuclear Awareness Coalition (GNAC) will hold its first public meeting Thursday, May 23 at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC offers professional degree in games and playable media

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

Forum addresses academic free speech and issues of anti-Semitism

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

Puma capture demonstrates success of non-lethal intervention

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

UCSC to host first annual Middle School Summit focusing on solving community challenges

UC Santa Cruz will pilot the first annual Middle School Summit on Tuesday, May 21, as part of the Santa Cruz County College Commitment--bringing up to 350 local students to the university campus.

CruzAlert: Power has been restored to entire campus after major outage

A major power outage on campus began early in the morning of Sunday, May 12.

Sign-ups open for Community Supported Agriculture program

Membership signups are now open for the UCSC Farm’s 2013 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.

Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center sponsors three events in May

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

Psychology grad wins research award typically given to graduate students

Lauren Brande, (Porter, '11, psychology) won a best abstract award May 3 at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association in Reno.

After the breakup in a digital world: Purging social media memories

The era is long gone when a romantic breakup meant ripped-up photos and burned love letters. Digital photos and emails can be deleted but what about digital records of a beloved that lurk on Facebook, tumblr, and flicker?

UCSC physicist Michael Nauenberg wins UC distinguished emeriti award

Michael Nauenberg, professor emeritus of physics at UC Santa Cruz, has been honored with the 2013 Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeriti Award.

Dietary flexibility may have helped large predators survive after last ice age

A study of mammoth steppe predators suggests dietary flexibility gave wolves and bears an edge over saber-toothed cats and cave lions.

NASA scientist Chris McKay to discuss life on other planets in May 23 lecture

Annual Halliday Lecture addresses the latest findings from the Mars Curiosity Rover and the prospects for finding life on other planets

History professor Dana Frank to speak May 8 in Stevenson Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series

UCSC history professor and alumna Dana Frank (American Studies, ’78) will speak about human rights in Honduras on May 8 as part of the Stevenson College Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series.

Three ENVS graduate students receive NSF graduate research fellowships

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

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

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

UCSC to present student-run Community Arts Festival May 11

The UC Santa Cruz Good Neighbor Initiative Program will present a free Community Arts Festival at Abbott Square--outside the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz--on Saturday, May 11, from 12 to 3 p.m.

26th annual Bike Week begins May 3

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

Graduate students present research in annual symposium May 10

Graduate students from all five academic divisions at UCSC will present their research on Friday, May 10.

So You Think When You Dance?

UCSC’s Ted Warburton will give the Arts Division’s 2013 Outstanding Faculty Research Lecture May 16, plus direct a faculty dance concert with guest Bay Area alumni and students, May 24-June 2.

Alumna Dana Priest updates security report in light of Boston bombings

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

Scientists retrieve temperature data from Japan Trench observatory

Data recovered in an unprecedented series of operations will reveal frictional heat generated by fault slip during the Tohoku earthquake

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

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

UCSC language students to present International Playhouse

UCSC will present International Playhouse XIII--an annual program of fully-staged short theater pieces by students in the Language Program May 16-19, featuring works in French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, with English super-titles.

Astrophysics internships bring community college students to UCSC

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

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

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

Interactive storytelling symposium on May 10 explores the future of games

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

Two psychology graduate students win NSF research fellowships

Two UC Santa Cruz graduate students in the developmental psychology program have been awarded prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

10th annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC features Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC Tuesday, May 7 at the College Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Judge David Sotelo named Social Sciences distinguished alumni winner

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

Shakespeare Santa Cruz collaborates with Jewel Theatre for Pinter plays

UCSC’s Shakespeare Santa Cruz has joined forces with Santa Cruz’s Jewel Theatre Company to present two one-act plays by Harold Pinter, running April 25 through May 19, at the Center Stage in downtown Santa Cruz.

UCSC hosts symposium on stem cells and aging

Leading stem cell scientists from around the world will gather at UCSC May 30 and 31 for the Stem Cells and Aging Symposium.

UCSC honored as a 'highest score' campus in new green-school rankings

UC Santa Cruz is one of 21 colleges to receive the highest possible score in Princeton Review's new rankings of environmentally friendly schools.

UCSC highly ranked in worldwide survey of research impact

UC Santa Cruz placed 11th on the annual Leiden Ranking, which measures the scientific performance of 500 major universities worldwide.

UCSC Farm & Garden’s annual spring plant sale set for weekend of May 4, 5

Satisfy your green thumb at the UCSC Farm and Garden’s spring plant sale, featuring the region’s largest collection of organically grown herb and flower starts, vegetables, and perennials Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5.

UCSC alumna wins prestigious 2013 Guggenheim

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

Mathematics lecturer Richard Mitchell wins teaching award

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

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

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

Distant blazar is a high-energy astrophysics puzzle

New observations of a blazar show that it is the most distant known source of very high-energy gamma rays.

New book explores relentless evolution in a constantly changing world

In his new book, biologist John Thompson argues that species must evolve constantly or they will not persist.

Puma tracking in Santa Cruz Mountains reveals impact of habitat fragmentation

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

Cowell art exhibition blends Jewish, African American, Pacific Rim themes

The Eloise Pickard Smith Galleries at Cowell College will present In Her Place: Visual Narratives by Bonnie Stone, an exhibition opening April 26 and running through June 22 on the UCSC campus.

Gabe Zimmerman Room formally dedicated at U.S. Capitol ceremony

A conference room at the U.S. Capitol named for the late congressional staffer Gabriel Zimmerman (Stevenson, '02, sociology) was formally dedicated Tuesday (April 16) in a ceremony attended by Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker John Boehner, and other political luminaries.

Digital Arts and New Media grad student exhibition opens April 27

Amplified CB radios, playable wrestling games about nutrition, and buildings that grow in the dark are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at “ground (ctrl)”—opening April 27 at UCSC’s Digital Arts Research Center (DARC building).

Signs installed, cabin restored in Cowell Lime Works Historic District

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

Ecologist Mark Carr to give Ricketts Memorial Lecture at sanctuary symposium

Marine ecologist Mark Carr will give the Ricketts Memorial Lecture at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's annual symposium.

Arts Division public event to help shape new Institute of Arts and Sciences

The UCSC Arts Division will present a day-long public event to help plan a groundbreaking new interdisciplinary Institute of the Arts and Sciences on Friday, April 26.

Second Gabe Zimmerman scholarship winner is sociology major

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

UCSC Arboretum holds annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 20

This year's spring plant sale will feature some of the newest treasures from the UCSC Arboretum.

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

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

Gopher control workshop set for Saturday, April 6 at UCSC Farm

Learn how to get gopher problems under control at a workshop Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Santa Cruz Farm.

Domhoff's power structure research featured in urban affairs session

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

UCSC Spring Living Writers series kicks off April 4

Acclaimed up-and-coming writer Tupelo Hassman--author of the novel 'Girlchild'--will kick off the spring installment of UCSC’s Living Writers reading series, Thursday, April 4, at the Humanities Lecture Hall.

Registration begins April 9 for spring recreation and intramural activities

Spring quarter registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 for for UCSC Recreation & Intramural Sports classes and activities.

Sea lion defies theory and keeps the beat

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

New summer camp opens on campus for youngsters entering 1st– 5th grades

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports announces the new Sammy Slug Summer Camp, a recreational summer program for boys and girls entering 1st through 5th grades.

Gary Young wins 2013 Lucille Medwick Memorial Award

UCSC humanities lecturer and alumnus Gary Young has received the 2013 Lucille Medwick Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America (PSA) for best original poem on a humanitarian theme.

Energy storage symposium addresses important issues for renewable energy

UCSC Center for Sustainable Energy and Power Systems partners with Joint Venture Silicon Valley in April 11 symposium.

Model UN competitor wins 'verbal acclamation' award

Kelsey Hill, a first-year history major affiliated with Kresge College, won a Verbal Acclamation Award at the UC Berkeley Model United Nations Conference held earlier this month in San Francisco.

Marine scientist Adina Paytan receives prestigious international award

IMS researcher Adina Paytan has been awarded the Excellence Award of the Werner Petersen Foundation.

UCSC and industry partners launch center for data storage research

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

Scholarship program wins archaeology society's president's award

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

UCSC to hold international conference on Sikh and Punjabi Studies, March 29-30

The UC Santa Cruz Sikh and Punjabi Studies program will present an international conference titled "(Re-)Building Punjab: Political Economy, Society and Values" on campus, March 29-30.

Computer History Museum honors UCSC computer scientist Harry Huskey

Harry D. Huskey, professor emeritus of computer science at UCSC, will receive the 2013 Fellow Award from the Computer History Museum.

UCSC workshop March 30 reveals the fine points of composting

Learn what it takes to make quality compost happen at the "Compost for the Home Garden and Orchard" workshop Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alan Chadwick Garden on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Baskin School of Engineering hosts meeting on women in technology

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

Shakespeare Santa Cruz announces lineup for 2013 season

Shakespeare Santa Cruz will open with the popular comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew," and continue through Sept. 1 with "Henry V" and "Tom Jones." For the first time, all shows will take place outdoors among the redwoods in the Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen.

Alumna Belle Yang contributes cover art to second issue of Catamaran

“Kite”--a 1997 painting by UC Santa Cruz alumna Belle Yang—is the featured art on the cover of the just released Spring 2013 issue of Catamaran Literary Reader.

Historic Hay Barn to be reinvented as environmental center

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

DNA study clarifies relationship between polar bears and brown bears

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

Works by UCSC music professor to be featured at Smithsonian

Thousand Gates, a concert featuring two new works by UC Santa Cruz professor of music Hi Kyung Kim, is set to be performed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., on April 7.

UCSC Cancer Genomics Hub wins 2013 Innovations in Networking Award

CGHub has been honored by CENIC with the 2013 Innovations in Networking Award for High-Performance Research Applications.

UCSC ranked among top 10 graduate schools for game design

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

International collaboration to investigate disappearing reptiles and amphibians

UCSC biologist Barry Sinervo leads NSF-funded project to study the effects of climate change on plants and animals around the world.

Bacteria may protect against disease caused by stomach infection

Stomach microbes influence whether H. pylori infection causes disease, researchers find.

Student robotics competition on March 13 features Star Trek theme

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

Restaurant worker advocate visits Santa Cruz for reading, book signing

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

Bats not bothered by forest fires, study finds

Scientists found that bats are resilient to high-severity fire, and some species may even benefit from the effects of fire on the landscape.

UCSC arts, humanities professors collaborate for ‘New Orleans Suite’

A new book by UCSC professors Lewis Watts (Art) and Eric Porter (History, American Studies) maps the changing cultural scene in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit the Crescent City in the summer of 2005.

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

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

UNESCO releases lecturer's book online as free download

State legislators, UCSC administrators talk budgets at legislative meeting

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

UCSC police conclude reported campus sexual assault did not occur

UCSC police have concluded that a sexual assault that was alleged to have occurred on campus 11 days ago did not take place.

UCSC alumna Kathy Sullivan named acting administrator for NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has appointed UCSC alumna Kathryn Sullivan to serve as acting administrator for NOAA.

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

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

Coastal Commission funds projects at UCSC Arboretum and Seymour Center

The California Coastal Commission has awarded grants to fund two coastal restoration and education projects at UCSC.

UCSC arts alumnus wins Academy Award

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

UCSC presents interactive, multi-venue production of Ibsen's epic masterpiece

Henrik Ibsen’s play "Peer Gynt" has been staged at theaters across the world since its premiere in 1876—as well as at an insane asylum in Iceland, in the Wild West, on a German boat, and in a Scottish pub.

Stellar motions in outer halo shed new light on Milky Way evolution

For the first time, astronomers have measured the sideways motions of stars in the outer halo of the Milky Way, yielding clues to our galaxy's remote past.

Alison Galloway wins forensic anthropology career achievement award

Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology and campus provost/executive vice chancellor at UC Santa Cruz, is winner of the highest honor offered by the Physical Anthropology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

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

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

UCSC Linguistics professors receive $300,000 NSF grant

UCSC humanities professors Sandra Chung and Matthew Wagers have been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate language comprehension in the Mariana Islands.

Crafting a way to help those less fortunate

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

Student research project attracts European partners and NSF funding

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

"Science on Tap" aims to engage public in science

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

Historic legacy of lead pollution persists despite regulatory efforts

Efforts to reduce lead pollution have paid off in many ways, yet the problem persists and will probably continue to affect the health of people and animals well into the future.

UCSC symposium to address issues of nutrition, health, and food policy

A symposium on nutrition, health, and, food policy is scheduled for Friday, March 8 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in 261 Social Sciences I on the UC Santa Cruz campus. The public is invited and admission is free.

UCSC astrophysicist Charlie Conroy wins Sloan Research Fellowship

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

Rare explosion may have created galaxy's youngest black hole

New data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory suggest a highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy.

Winner of groundbreaking historic Gay Rights case to speak at UCSC

UCSC will present a lecture by Karen Thompson titled “Love is a Dangerous Promise” on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m., at the Second Stage Theater in the Performing Arts Center on the UCSC campus. Admission is free, and the public is invited.

Overcoming the odds: Student learned English by playing video games

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

$2.5 million NIH grant supports research on retinal disease

A major grant from the National Eye Institute supports physicist Sasha Sher's research on how the retina heals itself after laser surgery.

Israeli filmmaker to screen acclaimed documentary about famed architect

UCSC’s Film and Digital Media Department will present a free public screening of award-winning Israeli documentarian Duki Dror’s acclaimed film "Mendelsohn's Incessant Visions" on Feb. 25, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.

Karen Yamashita to read and lead talk about Asian American & Ethnic Studies

Award-winning author and UCSC literature professor Karen Yamashita will give a reading of excerpts from her work, followed by an informal conversation with guest professors Alondra Nelson (Columbia University) and Aimee Bahng (Dartmouth College).

Astronomer Sandra Faber honored in White House ceremony

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

Students help local teens navigate the college admission process

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

Life after homelessness: Stephen Nelson to be honored at Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation

Formerly homeless, Nelson will be honored at the February 6 ceremony with the UCSC Tony Hill Award for his work ethic, communication skills, and strong sense of empathy.

Sociology alumnus named number two executive at International Crisis Group

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

Black History Month includes many events at UCSC

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

Gail Hershatter to deliver 47th annual UCSC Faculty Research Lecture

UC Santa Cruz professor of history Gail Hershatter will deliver the 47th annual UCSC Faculty Research Lecture on Tuesday, February 12, at 7 p.m. at the Music Recital Hall in the UCSC Performing Arts Complex.

Scientists collect first intact samples from an Antarctic subglacial lake

A research team including UCSC scientists successfully drilled through the Antarctic ice and sampled a subglacial lake.

UCSC alums to perform at 12th annual SF Sketchfest comedy festival

Two UC Santa Cruz alumni-- Maya Rudolph (’95, Art) and Jesse Thorn (’03, American Studies)--will be featured performers at the 12th annual SF Sketchfest comedy festival, opening Jan. 24, and running through Feb. 10, at various venues throughout San Francisco.

Exhibition by internationally known environmental artists at Sesnon Gallery

In the mid 1990s, environmental artists Newton and Helen Harrison were asked by the Dalai Lama to create a work of art titled “Tibet is the Higher Ground.” That piece is just one sample of their work that will be on display at UCSC’s Sesnon Gallery, beginning February 6.

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

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

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

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

Astronomer Mark Krumholz awarded AAS Warner Prize

Astronomer Mark Krumholz has been chosen to receive the 2013 Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy.

UCSC sees sharp increase in undergraduate applications for fall

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

Screening of 'Harvest of Loneliness, the Bracero Program' set for January 23

The documentary film "Harvest of Loneliness, the Bracero Program" will be shown Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. at the Kresge Town Hall on the UC Santa Cruz campus. It is free and open to the public.

Novel technique reveals dynamics of telomere DNA structure

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

Legal strategies differ when labor rights and immigration policy conflict

In a new book, UC Santa Cruz professor Shannon Gleeson examines the paradox of federal labor rights enforcement and immigration policy and how the conflicts are dealt with in San Jose and Houston.

UCSC to host 3rd annual Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture, Jan. 31

The UC Santa Cruz Philosophy Department will host the third annual Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture on Thursday, Jan. 31. Jan Boxill to speak on “Using Sports as a Public Forum for Ethics”

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

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

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

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

Popping the question is his job

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

Arts faculty collaborate for ‘Guitar Fantasy’

UCSC music lecturers Mesut Özgen and William Coulter will present “Guitar Fantasy”--a special program of Spanish, Latin American, Celtic, Turkish, and Russian music—on Friday, January 25, at the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall.

6th annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival on Sunday, January 20

Enjoy chocolate of all types at the 6th annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival on Sunday, January 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cocoanut Grove on the Beach Boardwalk.

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

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

Music professor Linda Burman-Hall to receive Gail Rich Award

UC Santa Cruz professor of music Linda Burman-Hall will be one of six community members honored at the 17th annual Gail Rich Awards, Wednesday, January 23 at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz.

Low extinction rates made California a refuge for diverse plant species

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

Memorial for Don Rothman planned for Saturday, January 26

A memorial for Don Rothman, a leading voice for writers and writing during a distinguished 39-year career at UC Santa Cruz, will take place on January 26.