Physical and Biological Sciences

Steven Ritz stepping down after 10 years as director of particle physics institute

Jason Nielsen, professor of physics, will take over as director of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) in the new year.

Coming full circle

Alumnus Darren Thompson, an accomplished chemist and student mentor, overcame a dark turn in his life with help from his determination, his Christian faith, and a UC Santa Cruz professor.

UCSC expands COVID-19 testing during surge to support community needs

A gift from Bud and Rebecca Colligan will expand testing capacity and help fund a new, dedicated laboratory space to house the diagnostic lab in the Genomics Institute’s facilities at the Westside Research Park.

New cryo-electron microscopy facility a boon for UCSC structural biologists

With major funding from NIH, researchers at UC Santa Cruz have acquired powerful imaging tools for studying the structures of biomolecules and their roles in disease.

Biologist Carol Greider elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

Carol Greider, distinguished professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

UC Santa Cruz Nobel laureate delves into the world of telomeres in Kraw Lecture

In her Kraw Lecture this week, Nobel laureate and UC Santa Cruz distinguished professor of MCD biology Carol Greider explored the world of telomere research, with links to cell death, cancer research, and degenerative diseases.

Narinder Kapany, known as the ‘father of fiber optics,’ dies at 94

Narinder Singh Kapany, a pioneering scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who served as a Regents Professor at UC Santa Cruz and a trustee of the UC Santa Cruz Foundation, died December 3.

Campus publishes sixth edition of “inquiry@UC Santa Cruz” research magazine

The stories, crafted by alumni of the world-renowned UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Master’s Program, cover projects across the five academic devisions.

National Academies report on sustainability education features UC Santa Cruz expertise

UC Santa Cruz professor Anne Kapuscinski chaired the committee that developed the report, and campus initiatives were highlighted within as examples of innovative sustainability education.

Marine mammals’ adaptations to low oxygen offer new perspective on COVID-19

Humans are poorly adapted for oxygen deprivation, making us vulnerable to long-term effects from a disease that disrupts the body’s oxygen supply pathway.

AXA Chair at UC Santa Cruz funds efforts to build coastal resilience naturally

Marine scientist Michael Beck was awarded the chair to support his work on natural defenses to enhance coastal resilience to flooding, erosion, and sea level rise.

UCSC iGEM team wins gold, nominated for best environmental project

Thirteen undergraduates were recognized for their research accomplishments at the world’s largest competition in synthetic biology.

Two UCSC professors elected 2020 AAAS Fellows

Linguist Matthew Wagers and microbiologist Fitnat Yildiz have been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Direct visualization of quantum dots reveals shape of quantum wave function

UCSC researchers used a scanning tunneling microscope to visualize quantum dots in bilayer graphene, an important step toward quantum information technologies.

Materials theorist Yuan Ping wins grant from Air Force Young Investigator Program

Ping’s research on spin dynamics in two-dimensional materials has applications for spintronics and quantum information technologies.

List of most highly cited researchers features 19 UCSC scientists and engineers

A new list of the world's most highly cited researchers includes 19 scientists and engineers at UC Santa Cruz.

Geologist David Rubin elected fellow of the American Geophysical Union

David Rubin, a researcher in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, has been elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union.

Approval of Proposition 14 boosts funding for stem cell agency

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has provided major funding for research and training at UC Santa Cruz since its creation in 2004.

UC Santa Cruz leads interdisciplinary consortium for astrobiology research

With funding from NASA, the UCSC-led team will lay the foundation for detecting the signatures of life in the atmospheres of other planets.

Radioactive elements may be crucial to the habitability of rocky planets

Earth-size planets can have varying amounts of radioactive elements, which generate internal heat that drives a planet’s geological activity and magnetism.

The 2020 new Slug reality: Handling adversity and transitioning to a virtual learning experience

Remote learning has its challenges, but the newest class of Banana Slugs is making the most out of this uncharted experience.

Biology Teaching Labs wins honorable mention for Freezer Challenge 2020

Julio Harvey, biology teaching laboratories manager in the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department, has won an honorable mention in the 2020 Freezer Challenge.

Novel technique spotlights neuronal uptake of amyloid beta in Alzheimer’s disease

Study finds a short section of the amyloid beta protein is recognized by the cellular prion protein, which mediates its uptake into neurons and subsequent toxicity.

Wildfire brings destruction and opportunity to researcher’s field site

Hydrologist Margaret Zimmer has received NSF funding to study the impact of wildfire on the site where she has been studying how water moves through the landscape.

Spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon aren’t as different as they seem

Genetic analysis of Klamath River Chinook salmon finds a simple genetic variant determines the timing of migration, and seasonal runs are otherwise the same fish.

Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia

Using a CRISPR interference system to study virulence genes in a mouse model of pneumonia, scientists observed surprising variability in how the disease progresses.

Big Ideas contest offers up to $20,000 for big ideas in social innovation

Big Ideas contest, open to all UC students, seeks student-led, early-stage projects or ideas with a social impact focus.

Scientists discover how a common mutation leads to ‘night owl’ sleep disorder

A small change in a key component of our biological clocks lengthens the clock period, causing people to stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning.

Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni

The PBSci Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate alums.

‘Be the Difference’ Award honors UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab

The award recognizes UCSC’s efforts to provide local testing for coronavirus infections.

Anemic star cluster breaks metal-poor record

In a surprising discovery, astronomers have found a globular star cluster in the Andromeda galaxy that contains a record-breaking low amount of metals.

Ocean scientist Christina Ravelo honored as a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences

Christina Ravelo, professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been selected by the California Academy of Sciences to join the ranks of Academy Fellows.

Chemistry grad student awarded DOE support for research at national lab

Vivien Cherrette, a graduate student in chemistry and biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz, is among 52 outstanding U.S. graduate students to receive support from the Department of Energy’s Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program.

New faculty build on campus strengths

UC Santa Cruz is welcoming 43 new faculty members to campus this academic year. Areas of expertise include psychology, mathematics, astronomy and astrophysics, computer science and engineering, and much more. 

Two UCSC physicists elected Fellows of the American Physical Society

Physicists Onuttom Narayan and Stefano Profumo were honored by APS for their exceptional contributions to physics.

Seed funding grants support plans for innovative research centers

The UCSC Office of Research has awarded seed funding to six campus research groups to support their efforts to develop innovative new research centers.

Alumna Martha Mendoza wins Emmy for work on child detention documentary

‘Kids Caught in the Crackdown’ documentary from PBS Frontline and Associated Press investigates the detention of migrant children in federally-funded shelters.

Astrophysicist Jonathan Fortney awarded 2020 Farinella Prize

Jonathan Fortney has been awarded the 2020 Paolo Farinella Prize from the Europlanet Society for his contributions to the understanding of the structure, evolution, and atmospheric dynamics of giant planets.

ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students

Sixteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $160,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation.

High-fidelity record of Earth’s climate history puts current changes in context

A continuous record of the past 66 million years shows natural climate variability due to changes in Earth’s orbit around the sun is much smaller than projected future warming due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Summer Session helps students earn degrees

UC Santa Cruz staff and faculty have been steadily working to increase summer session enrollment, leading UCs in online offerings and working with departments to offer the classes students need to graduate.

Cooperative research effort documents northward migration of kelp forests

From Alaska to Mexico, warming waters are driving widespread changes in these highly productive coastal ecosystems.

In the line of fire

Alumnus Adam Lowdermilk had built a career as a musician, but the tragic 2018 Camp Fire prompted a change of heart and a leap into firefighting.

John R. Lewis College: Providing the tools to stand up against injustice and create change

John R. Lewis College students take on social justice issues while pushing for positive growth and progress in society.

Rising to the Eco-Challenge

Two Slug alumni were part of a grueling, 11-day, 416-mile adventure race called Eco-Challenge Fiji, caught in a 10-episode series streaming on Amazon Prime.

New observations of black hole devouring a star reveal rapid disk formation

The first clear confirmation of accretion disk formation in a tidal disruption event without x-ray emissions supports theoretical predictions.

Marine mammals show off their training in evacuation from Long Marine Lab

All of the resident marine mammals at UCSC’s Long Marine Laboratory are safe and well after a successful evacuation effort.

Research buildings saved as wildfire sweeps across Big Creek Natural Reserve

Fire preparedness and hard work by fast-moving fire crews and UC Santa Cruz staff is being credited for saving research and residential buildings at the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast.

UC’s Lick Observatory threatened by fire

Residences on Mt. Hamilton sustained some damage, but fire crews have so far been able to protect the observatory’s telescope domes and visitor center.

Coastal scientist Borja Reguero awarded Early-Career Research Fellowship

The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has awarded a 2020 Early-Career Research Fellowship to IMS researcher Borja Reguero.

Alaska’s salmon are getting smaller, affecting people and ecosystems

A comprehensive study of four salmon species across all regions of Alaska finds salmon are returning to rivers smaller and younger than in the past.

UCSC partners with CSUMB for postdoctoral training and mentorship program

A $4.2 million NIH grant to UCSC’s Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells is funding an innovative program to address underrepresentation of minorities in biomedical faculty.

County, UCSC partner to expand local testing capacity

UC Santa Cruz has received CARES Act funds from Santa Cruz County to enable the purchase of new equipment for the UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab.

Going with the flow—famed Ocean Explorers Summer Camp heads online

COVID-19 compelled the Seymour Marine Discovery Center to take its popular Ocean Explorers Summer Camp virtual after running the program in person for 21 years—a successful experiment that presented both challenges and opportunities.

Calcium-rich supernova examined with x-rays for first time

An international team has obtained unprecedented observations of a rare calcium-rich supernova.

Influential marine biologist John Pearse dies at 84

A leading authority on marine invertebrates and intertidal ecology, Pearse was a beloved teacher and mentor to generations of marine biologists.

New study shows retreat of East Antarctic Ice Sheet during previous warm periods

Evidence of glacial retreat in the Wilkes Basin 400,000 years ago suggests ice loss in this region could add 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) to future global sea level rise.

Is COVID-related reduction in marine traffic reducing stress in whales?

Whale researchers are taking advantage of changes in boat traffic in Monterey Bay during the pandemic to collect data on stress hormones in humpback whales.

How galaxies die: New insights into the quenching of star formation

A simple model explains a wide range of observations by describing a contest between galaxy halos and their central black holes that eventually turns off star formation.

Astrophysics graduate student Diana Powell wins 2020 Ford Fellowship

Powell won a Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship to support her work as she completes her Ph.D. thesis on exoplanets.

STEM Diversity Programs honored by ‘Insight into Diversity’ magazine

'Insight into Diversity' magazine has recognized the STEM Diversity Programs at UC Santa Cruz with its 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

UC Santa Cruz leads research center on botanical dietary supplements

A new $5 million NIH grant supports a collaborative research program to understand the cellular mechanisms by which botanical natural products may affect human health.

White dwarfs reveal new insights into the origin of carbon in the universe

A new analysis of white dwarf stars supports their role as a key source of carbon, an element crucial to all life, in the Milky Way and other galaxies.

A call for caution, personal responsibility

If people simply wait around for federal, state, and local governments to save them from the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than take precautions to keep themselves and their communities safe, “we will lose the economy and our lives,’’ said infectious disease expert A. Marm Kilpatrick this week.

Researchers honored for work in UCSC-NOAA Fisheries Collaborative Program

Three researchers affiliated with the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa Cruz have received awards from the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center for their outstanding contributions to research in 2019.

Seymour Center director to retire

During Julie Barrett Heffington’s 21-year term as director, the center has established widely appreciated public programs and served nearly 1.5 million visitors

Hellman Fellows Program and UC announce $125 million commitment to faculty research

The Hellman Fellows Program and the University of California announced a plan to permanently support the Hellman Fellows Program on all 10 campuses in the UC system.

Evidence supports ‘hot start’ scenario and early ocean formation on Pluto

A new study suggests that Pluto and other large Kuiper belt objects started out with liquid oceans which have been slowly freezing over time.

Steck Award recipient helps discover protein involved with circadian clock timing

Afred Freeberg assisted the Partch lab in studying the molecular basis for circadian rhythms - biological processes that occur naturally in line with the Earth’s 24-hour daily rotation cycle.

Committee on Teaching recognizes innovative, dedicated instructors

The UC Santa Cruz Committee on Teaching has announced the eight recipients of the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award.

In Memoriam: Maria Kerschen (1955–2020)

Maria Kerschen, who retired as assistant dean of planning and resource management from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences, passed away on May 22 in Eugene, Oregon.

Seymour Center taking a fresh look at visitor experience

The center was already planning a refresh this year. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, the center is set to answer even bigger questions.

New method predicts spin dynamics of materials for quantum computing

A universal first-principles approach will accelerate the identification and design of materials for quantum information science and other spintronics applications.

NOAA funds new Cooperative Institute for Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Systems

CIMEAS supports the ongoing collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and the National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

Alumna Kathy Sullivan embarks on another first, this time to the ocean’s depths

The first American woman to walk in space, Sullivan is now aiming to be the first woman to visit the deepest spot in the oceans.

Two vital buffers against climate change are just offshore

A new study underscores the need to conserve and restore mangroves and coral reefs for coastal protection.

Detection of Crab Nebula shows viability of innovative gamma-ray telescope

A new prototype telescope opens doors for future discoveries at the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array.

Emerald predators: Ohlone tiger beetles reclaim territory with the help of local scientists

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists released 43 Ohlone tiger beetles to a new home in Santa Cruz County earlier this year with the help of UC Santa Cruz students and reserve managers

Physicist Tesla Jeltema wins Mentorship Award from American Physical Society

An accomplished astrophysicist, Jeltema is also a champion for diversity and a dedicated supporter of students at all levels.

Universe’s ‘missing matter’ finally found in the space between galaxies

An international team of astronomers has solved the decades-old mystery of the ‘missing matter’ long predicted to exist in the universe but never before detected.

Astronomers create cloud atlas for hot, Jupiter-like exoplanets

Giant planets in our solar system and circling other stars have exotic clouds unlike anything on Earth, and the gas giants orbiting close to their stars—so called hot Jupiters—boast the most extreme.

Eminent biologist Carol Greider to join UC Santa Cruz faculty

Known for her pioneering work on telomeres, Nobel laureate Carol Greider brings exceptional research and leadership skills to her appointment in the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology.

Astronomers discover a massive rotating disk galaxy in the early universe

The discovery by an international team of astronomers of a massive rotating disk galaxy, seen when the universe was only ten percent of its current age, challenges traditional models of galaxy formation.

Field courses boost STEM diversity, study reveals

The challenge of diversifying STEM fields may get a boost from the results of a new study that show field courses help build self-confidence among students—especially those from underrepresented groups.

Tracing neurons in the visual cortex sheds light on brain’s circuitry

Researchers used a combination of techniques to identify different neuronal cell types and trace their connectivity within the mouse visual cortex.

Cowell College: Blazing the trail to lifelong learning

UC Santa Cruz’s first college prides itself on academic rigor and the spirit of community, living up to its motto: “The pursuit of truth in the company of friends.”

Innovative technologies to address COVID-19 funded by UC’s CITRIS

Three projects led by UC Santa Cruz researchers are among the 25 awards in the initial round of funding from CITRIS and the Banatao Institute.

Powerful new AI technique detects and classifies galaxies in astronomy image data

UCSC researchers developed a deep-learning framework called Morpheus to perform pixel-level morphological classifications of objects in astronomical images.

CITRIS Seed Funding program invites proposals for pandemic and disaster preparedness projects

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz is inviting UCSC researchers to apply for research support for projects focused on providing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster preparedness.

Alumnus leads massive effort to ramp up COVID-19 testing

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Joe DeRisi is one of the leading scientists in the fight against the novel coronavirus, helming a massive effort to ramp up state-of-the-art clinical laboratory testing for COVID-19 throughout California, while pioneering large-scale testing in Bay Area communities.

Watching the flow of water through oak woodlands at Arbor Creek Experimental Watershed

To understand how California's beloved oak woodlands will fare in a rapidly warming climate, UCSC researchers are putting a headwaters stream in the Diablo Range under a hydrological microscope.

Crabeater seal data used to predict changes in Antarctic krill distribution

Tracking the feeding behavior of crabeater seals allowed researchers to build an oceanographic model of krill habitat and project how it is likely to change in the future.

UC Santa Cruz diagnostic lab to begin coronavirus testing May 1

The UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Lab will be conducting tests for coronavirus infections for the Student Health Center and local medical providers.

Planetary scientist Francis Nimmo elected to National Academy of Sciences

Francis Nimmo, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Biologist Upasna Sharma wins prestigious Searle Scholars grant

Funding from the Searle Scholars Program will support Sharma’s research on how environmental effects can be passed down from parents to their offspring.

Astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Other new members of the class of 2020 include singer Joan Baez, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and poet and playwright Claudia Rankine.

Watch UCSC participants talk about hope during TEDx Santa Cruz

Last December, TEDx Santa Cruz hosted a day-long extravaganza of talks curated around the theme of "The Art of Hope." Those talks, including ones by several UCSC affiliates, are now available for online viewing.

Cholera studies reveal mechanisms of biofilm formation and hyperinfectivity

A series of publications from microbiologist Fitnat Yildiz’s lab provides new understanding of cholera biofilms and why the bacteria in biofilms are so highly infectious.

New high-throughput approach yields libraries of probes for immunological assays

Technical innovation enables rapid assessment of T cell repertoires for research and diagnostics, with potential applications in studying COVID-19 immune responses.

Planetary scientist Myriam Telus wins NASA Early Career Award

Myriam Telus, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has received funding from NASA through the Planetary Science Early Career Award program to support her research in cosmochemistry, the chemical analysis of extraterrestrial materials.

New formation theory explains the mysterious interstellar object ‘Oumuamua

A new scenario based on computer simulations accounts for all of the observed characteristics of the first known interstellar object to visit our solar system.

Mathematics Professor Martin Weissman wins 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship

Martin Weissman, professor of mathematics at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for 2020.

New isomer separation method a boon for research on protein oxidation

UCSC chemists have developed an easy way to separate the stereoisomers of an oxidized amino acid that has important functions in protein biology.

New program advances global and community health

As countries across the globe fight the coronavirus pandemic, UC Santa Cruz is creating a new program that will prepare students and provide research to solve current and future global health problems.

Physics undergraduate wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Elizabeth Yunerman, a junior studying physics and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2020 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

UCSC researchers are taking on the coronavirus challenge on multiple fronts

From developing diagnostic tests to conducting surveys of infection prevalence, campus researchers are doing what they can in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Postdoctoral fellowship supports planetary science research

Elizabeth Bailey has won a 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation for research at UC Santa Cruz on exoplanets and the formation of planetary systems.

UCSC grad students win funding for research on salmon and coastal resilience

California Sea Grant has awarded funding to two UC Santa Cruz graduate students for research projects involving restoration of salmon populations and management strategies for resilient coastal communities.

Alumna Laura Helmuth appointed editor-in-chief of 'Scientific American'

Laura Helmuth, a graduate of the UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Program, has been named the new editor-in-chief of 'Scientific American'.

Recruiting raptors for rodent control along the Pajaro River levee

UCSC’s Predatory Bird Research Group is working with the Santa Cruz County Flood Control District to encourage hawks and owls to patrol the levee for rodent control.

Tracking data used to identify biodiversity hot spots in Southern Ocean ecosystems

An international team of scientists used electronic tracking data from birds and marine mammals to identify areas of ecological significance in the waters around Antarctica.

New understanding of immune modulator interleukin-2 guides drug discovery

A new study shows how IL-2’s flexible structure governs its effects on the immune system, providing crucial information for harnessing its therapeutic potential.

How to #keepteaching and #keeplearning during a pandemic

Jody Greene is eager—almost desperate—to help her colleagues who are facing the unprecedented challenge of shifting to remote instruction for the entire spring quarter.

In Memoriam: J. Casey Moore (1945–2020)

Casey Moore, professor emeritus of Earth and planetary sciences, died on Wednesday, March 11.

In Memoriam: Lloyd Robinson (1929–2020)

Lloyd Burdette Robinson died peacefully in his sleep on March 12, 2020. He was 90.

UCSC thin-film expertise to help develop NASA’s next generation of space telescopes

Engineer Nobuhiko Kobayashi's expertise in thin-film technology could improve the performance of NASA’s next generation of space telescopes.

Astronomers use slime mold model to reveal dark threads of the cosmic web

The problem-solving prowess of a simple slime mold has been harnessed to trace the large-scale structure of the universe.

Research shows mangrove conservation can pay for itself in flood protection

A new global study shows that mangroves provide billions of dollars worth of flood risk reduction benefits every year.

Grad student Melissa Cronin wins Seafood Sustainability Contest

The $45,000 prize will support Cronin’s efforts to to reduce the mortality of manta rays and devil rays incidentally caught during tuna fishing.

Mapping it out

A book by two Science Communication Program alumni celebrates the human fascination with maps, displaying more than 200 maps across history (and even fiction) and exploring the intriguing stories behind them.

Presentation on zombie insects wins Grad Slam top award

Five UC Santa Cruz astronomers are among the first class of AAS Fellows

The American Astronomical Society has designated an initial group of more than 200 Legacy Fellows, including five faculty members in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

Heising-Simons Foundation supports exoplanet imaging projects at UC Santa Cruz

Three new grants totaling $2.4 million will fund work at UCSC on new instruments and technologies to support research on planets beyond our solar system.

Aquaculture to benefit people and the environment

Two graduate students have received a one-year, $150,000 grant to create environmentally sound seaweed and sea cucumber farms on the coasts of Kenya and The Gambia.

Researchers get a ‘whale’s-eye view’ of Antarctic sea ice

Cameras attached to a rare species of Antarctic whale are giving scientists an unprecedented view of how the whales survive in their sea ice habitat.

Molecular switch mechanism explains how mutations shorten biological clocks

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of our internal clocks may enable the development of therapies for sleep disorders and other effects of clock disruption.

Bringing new perspectives to astronomy

An array of grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation is helping UC Santa Cruz accelerate astrophysics and other sciences while changing what we think an astrophysicist looks like

Stevenson College: An inclusive, collaborative social atmosphere

Stevenson College was built on a legacy of responsibility, engagement, and mutual understanding, preparing students to become leaders and to make positive social change in their communities.

Proposed hydropower dams pose threat to Gabon’s fishes

Proposed hydropower dams in Gabon pose a substantial threat to the African nation’s most culturally and economically important fishes, according to a new study.

UCSC taking art/science LASER talk series downtown for special evening at Rio Theater

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Institute of the Arts and Sciences will bring its local LASER—now in its seventh year of quarterly talks on campus—downtown for a special evening at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, beginning at 7 p.m.

Seismic biomarkers in Japan Trench fault zone reveal history of large earthquakes

Researchers found multiple faults with evidence of more than 10 meters of slip during past large earthquakes in the region hit by the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami.

Mathematician François Monard wins NSF CAREER Award

Grant supports research on problems in integral geometry, the mathematics behind medical imaging and other applications.

In death of dinosaurs, it was all about the asteroid — not volcanoes

Volcanic activity did not play a direct role in the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs, according to an international team of researchers.

Breaking down barriers to success

First-gen student Reina Garay-Solis is doing undergraduate research to help identify common challenges for first-gen and underrepresented students and find effective institutional practices to address them

$2.6 million grant funds program to increase diversity of conservation leaders

New funding for the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UC Santa Cruz builds on the program’s successes in training the next generation of diverse conservation leaders.

CITRIS Core Seed Funding program invites proposals for 2020

The 2020 CITRIS Core Seed Funding program is now open for submissions.

Astronomer Sandra Faber awarded Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal

The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded its Gold Medal in Astronomy to Sandra Faber, professor emerita of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

$1 million gift creates William Wallace Campbell Director’s Fund for Lick Observatory

A new endowment honoring the third director of Lick Observatory will support current and future directors’ priorities for the observatory.

Biologist Jordan Ward wins NSF CAREER Award

Jordan Ward, assistant professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation.