From discovering a cell’s molecular motor to showing women’s role in evolution, UC Santa Cruz professors have made world-changing contributions through their research and scholarship.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, 11 faculty members are featured for their original thinking and willingness to pursue an idea, even in the face of skepticism.

Faculty highlighted are:

• Robert Sinsheimer: Sequencing the human genome
• Adrienne Zihlman: The role of women in evolution
• John Wilkes: Turning scientists into communicators
• Craig Reinarman: Focused on costs, societal harms of national drug laws
• Harry Noller: Uncovering one of life’s essential molecular machines
• Jean Langenheim: Blazing a trail for female scientists
• Craig Haney: A career dedicated to social justice
• Gary Griggs: A voice of reason amid coastal conflict
• Steve Gliessman: Roots of agroecology extend deeply at UC Santa Cruz
• G. William Domhoff: Authority on power structure documented the 1 percent
• Bettina Aptheker: Building feminist studies at UC Santa Cruz