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2021 Physical and Biological Sciences

December 21, 2021
Hollywood trailblazer: Ally Walker
Oakes College alumna Ally Walker's career went from sequencing genomes to solving crimes on television
December 17, 2021
Mirror-image peptides form ‘rippled sheet’ structure predicted in 1953
A UCSC team obtained an x-ray ‘snapshot’ of a novel protein structure with potential applications in biomedicine and materials science.
December 17, 2021
In Memoriam: Bill Mathews (1937–2021)
William George “Bill” Mathews—astrophysicist, musician, and idea foundry—died on September 24 at the age of 84, but his sparkle lives on.
December 15, 2021
Optimizing coastal wetland restoration for carbon capture and storage
UCSC leads a large collaborative effort to develop guidelines for maximizing the effectiveness of coastal wetlands as a climate mitigation solution with multiple benefits.
December 07, 2021
In Memoriam: Robert E. Garrison (1932–2021)
Robert E. (Bob) Garrison, professor emeritus of ocean sciences, passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021, at his home in Santa Cruz.
November 22, 2021
Researchers recover ancient mammoth tusk during deep-sea expedition
A team of researchers from UC Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and University of Michigan are studying the tusk retrieved from deep waters off the California coast.
November 16, 2021
List of most highly cited researchers features 20 UCSC scientists and engineers
The 2021 Highly Cited Researchers list, released November 16 by Clarivate’s Web of Science Group, includes 20 scientists and engineers at UC Santa Cruz.
November 09, 2021
UC Santa Cruz joins the University of California Drug Discovery Consortium
The UC Drug Discovery Consortium is a cross-campus initiative aimed at building a drug discovery community that actively promotes research translation through industry partnerships.
November 09, 2021
New book chronicles more than 50 years of elephant seal research at Año Nuevo Reserve
Professor Emeritus Burney Le Boeuf summarizes the findings of the UC Santa Cruz elephant seal research program, one of the longest running studies of any animal
November 05, 2021
UCSC astronomers help shape influential report on national priorities for their field
The 'Astro2020' Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics identifies the most compelling science goals and provides recommendations for funding agencies.
November 03, 2021
Researchers find whales eat more than expected
New estimates of how much whales eat suggest that past culling of the creatures by humans has contributed to broader declines in ecosystem health and productivity.
November 03, 2021
Biologist Upasna Sharma wins $1.18 million grant from Templeton Foundation
New funding will advance Sharma’s research to understand how the effects of environmental stresses can be transmitted from one generation to the next.
October 28, 2021
Ecologist Erika Zavaleta named ESA Excellence in Ecology Scholar
Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, has been selected by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) as one of four ESA Excellence in Ecology (EEE) Scholars in the first cohort of this new initiative.
October 28, 2021
Survivor salmon that withstand drought and ocean warming provide a lifeline for California Chinook
Late migration of outgoing juvenile fish is a crucial life history strategy for survival of spring-run Chinook salmon during drought years.
October 27, 2021
Data-driven animations of marine mammals combine biology, art, and computation
New tools for data visualization can transform data from animal-borne tags into cinematic and informative animations of marine mammal behavior.
October 27, 2021
Pradip Mascharak named Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Pradip Mascharak, distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, an honor given to scientists whose efforts have made an impact in any field of the chemical sciences.
October 26, 2021
As launch of James Webb Space Telescope nears, astronomers anticipate new era of discoveries
UCSC astronomers will be among the first to use the powerful new space telescope, and have been involved in the project from the start.
October 25, 2021
Seagrass restoration study shows rapid recovery of ecosystem functions
Restored plots of eelgrass in Elkhorn Slough expanded rapidly, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates and other benefits of a healthy ecosystem.
October 22, 2021
Emerging ocean conservation leaders set to visit UC Santa Cruz
The Blue Pioneers Program (BPP) Accelerator recently announced its 2021 cohort of international ocean conservation professionals who will visit UC Santa Cruz’s Coastal Science Campus.
October 21, 2021
Astronomers witnessed the spectacular death of a star as it happened
Observations with multiple telescopes yield new insights into the final stages in the evolution of a massive star before it exploded in a core-collapse supernova.
October 20, 2021
Long-term study of elephant seal reproduction shows population’s resilience
Researchers found that a female elephant seal’s age and experience were more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at weaning.
October 19, 2021
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award
Ramirez-Ruiz will be honored by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at the 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.
October 18, 2021
Biologist Beth Shapiro’s new book explores how humans have shaped life on Earth
‘Life as We Made It’ explains how our species has been manipulating nature for the past 50,000 years and what the future may hold, depending on how we use new technologies.
October 15, 2021
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz awarded American Physical Society’s Nicholson Medal
The American Physical Society’s 2021 Dwight Nicholson Medal for Outreach recognizes Ramirez-Ruiz for innovations in mentoring.
October 14, 2021
Biologist Roxanne Beltran wins prestigious Packard Fellowship
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has awarded a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering to Roxanne Beltran, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz.
October 12, 2021
Ensuring student success in both the short and long term
This wide-ranging effort will increase financial support for our undergraduate and graduate students, and advance their access to the guidance and experiences fundamental to their education and ultimately future success.
October 11, 2021
AAUW awards fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded 2021-22 American Fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz who will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls.
October 08, 2021
Astrophysicists explain the origin of unusually heavy neutron star binaries
Simulations of supernova explosions of massive stars paired with neutron stars can explain puzzling results from gravitational wave observatories.
October 07, 2021
Scientists assemble a biological clock in a test tube to study how it works
The reconstituted biological clock maintains daily cycles for days on end, allowing researchers to study the interactions of its component parts.
September 29, 2021
Stem cell agency funds research training program at UC Santa Cruz
A $4.9 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine supports a pre- and postdoctoral training program in systems biology of stem cells at UCSC.
September 28, 2021
Wild, wild life
Alumnus Sebastian Kennerknecht cares so deeply about animals that he built a career in wildlife conservation photography to help fight for their survival.
September 27, 2021
NIH funds Center for Live Cell Genomics at UC Santa Cruz
The NIH Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science program has awarded $13.5 million over five years for a new center to advance genomics in biomedical research.
September 24, 2021
Natural Reserve System was instrumental in biologist’s ascent to grad school
UCSC graduate student Tim Brown works atop eastern California’s highest ranges, seeking to understand why a sparrow-sized mountain bird is riding the 'escalator to extinction.'
September 23, 2021
Seymour Marine Discovery Center will reopen in October
Beginning in October, guests will once again be welcomed back inside to visit the Seymour Center’s interactive exhibits and enjoy a brand new display featuring stunning photographs of marine life taken by UCSC scientists in the field.
September 23, 2021
NOAA awards recognize scientists in Fisheries Collaborative Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded its prestigious Bronze Award to three researchers affiliated with the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa Cruz.
September 23, 2021
Stellar new faculty strengthen campus research, teaching
To build on existing research strength and branch into new areas of inquiry, UC Santa Cruz has recruited 40 new tenure-track faculty members for the academic year that starts this week.
September 22, 2021
Alumna Kathryn Sullivan appointed to President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
President Biden has announced 30 of the most distinguished leaders in science and technology as members of his President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), including UCSC alumna Kathryn Sullivan.
September 20, 2021
UCSC’s Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory honored by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley
The Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory at UC Santa Cruz has been honored by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley with the 2021 Phil Rather Award for Leadership in Healthcare.
September 20, 2021
Postdoctoral scholars critical in advancing research mission
With experience, training, and ideas of their own, postdoctoral scholars play an important role in furthering research at universities.
September 14, 2021
Manel Camps appointed faculty director of UCSC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development
UCSC has appointed Manel Camps, professor of microbiology and environmental toxicology and provost of Crown College, to serve as the director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development.
September 14, 2021
UCSC wins funding for new programs to support underrepresented doctoral students
Grants from the UC Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative will prepare students for faculty careers in biomedical sciences and Latin American and Latino Studies.
September 13, 2021
Breaking barriers, helping others up
UC Santa Cruz chemistry associate professor Laura Sanchez reflects on what helped her succeed and how she has tried to help others do the same.
September 13, 2021
Building community connections and STEM identity with science in the garden
A pilot program funded by the Packard Foundation brings science into the home environment through gardening.
September 09, 2021
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 for the 2021-22 academic year.
September 09, 2021
Researcher honored for work in UCSC-NOAA Fisheries Collaborative Program
James Gilbert, an associate project scientist in the Institute of Marine Sciences, was recognized by the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center with its Staff of the Quarter award.
September 03, 2021
Long Marine Lab seawater intake repair wins environmental engineering award
The seawater intake repair project at the UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab was named the 2021 Environmental Engineering Project of the Year for the American Society of Civil Engineers, San Francisco Section.
September 02, 2021
Astronomers create the first 3D-printed stellar nurseries
Researchers can now hold stellar nurseries in their hands thanks to 3D printing, revealing features often obscured in traditional renderings and animations.
September 02, 2021
UCSC signs $3M state contract to deliver a public health data platform for pathogen genomics
The one-year, $3 million contract with the California Department of Public Health will galvanize pandemic-related genomic data analysis efforts for the public good.
September 01, 2021
Enhanced wetland on UCSC’s Coastal Science Campus will benefit threatened frogs
Construction of a seasonal pond within an existing wetland area in the Younger Lagoon Natural Reserve will create potential aquatic breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog.
August 26, 2021
When humans disturb marine mammals, it’s hard to know the long-term impact
Scientists are developing new tools to determine when short-term changes in behavior caused by human activities have biological significance for protected populations.
August 23, 2021
Experts weigh in on the future of drought management
UC Santa Cruz experts share insights on how technological innovations and long-term policy vision could help protect water supply.
August 16, 2021
Nearby star-forming region yields clues to the formation of our solar system
The Ophiuchus star-forming complex offers an analog for the formation of the solar system, including the sources of elements found in primitive meteorites.
August 16, 2021
Alumnus Nicholas St. Fleur wins top award for young science journalists
Nicholas St. Fleur, a 2014 graduate of UCSC's Science Communication Program, has received the 2021 Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award from the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, the top annual prize in the U.S. for science journalists age 30 or younger.
August 12, 2021
Study takes unprecedented peek into life of 17,000-year-old mammoth
An international research team has retraced the astonishing lifetime journey of an Arctic woolly mammoth that roamed the Alaska landscape 17,000 years ago.
August 10, 2021
Two new grants support faculty diversity and retention
UC Santa Cruz was awarded grants from the University of California to support two collaborative multi-campus projects for advancing faculty diversity.
August 09, 2021
Fostering anti-racism in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology
A UCSC team has assembled a toolkit of resources for academic departments to use in addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
August 09, 2021
Five-year NIH grant supports collaborative research into rejuvenating the aging brain
Scientists at UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Stanford are working together to discover and treat the causes behind age-associated cognitive decline.
August 09, 2021
Salt marsh resilience compromised by crabs along tidal creek edges
A long-term study in Elkhorn Slough revealed the impact of superabundant crabs on salt marsh vegetation and the vulnerability of tidal creek banks to erosion.
August 03, 2021
NIH grant funds collaborative research on protein-RNA interactions in cancer
Biologist Jeremy Sanford has received major funding from the National Cancer Institute for research on the role of protein-RNA interactions in cancer.
August 02, 2021
Switzer Fellowship will help graduate student engage communities in climate planning
Coastal Science and Policy Program master’s student Diana Fu won a Switzer Foundation fellowship to support her work advancing environmental justice through climate change adaptation.
July 20, 2021
Blazing a Slug trail to the Olympics
Rhythmic gymnast Izzy Connor will be the first UC Santa Cruz student to compete in the Olympics—the result of years of both personal struggle and success.
July 15, 2021
Statistical analysis quantifies how chemistry undergraduates benefit from graduate student diversity
A study of chemistry lab courses at UC Santa Cruz suggests that diversity among graduate student teaching assistants may be among the most essential factors in retaining underrepresented minority undergraduates in STEM courses.
July 14, 2021
Physics PhD student receives Graduate Instrumentation Research Award
Funding from the American Physical Society program supports graduate student Yuzhan Zao’s research on silicon detectors for particle physics experiments.
July 12, 2021
Haziness of exoplanet atmospheres depends on properties of aerosol particles
A laboratory study of haze particles produced under different conditions helps explain why some exoplanets may be obscured by hazy atmospheres.
July 12, 2021
$2 million grant revamps Chemical Screening Center
A new NIH grant will facilitate more efficient and accessible biomedical research.
July 09, 2021
Seymour Center welcomes new executive director
After an extensive search, the UC Santa Cruz Seymour Marine Discovery Center has chosen Jonathan Andres Hicken to be its new executive director.
July 08, 2021
Model reveals interactions between rivers and fault lines
Researchers created a model that uses the movement at fault lines to understand river flow and vice versa.
July 02, 2021
Unusual currents explain mysterious red crab strandings
New findings suggest that abnormal ocean currents cause the occasional appearance of pelagic red crabs outside their native range.
June 29, 2021
Jonathan Fortney garners Simons Investigator in Astrophysics award
The $500,000 award from the Simons Foundation will support Fortney’s research on planetary atmospheres.
June 29, 2021
Martian south polar cap composition focus of new study
A team of scientists have determined that Mars’ south polar ice sheet may be made of clays, metal-bearing minerals, or saline ice.
June 24, 2021
Cosmic dawn occurred 250 to 350 million years after Big Bang
Cosmic dawn, when stars formed for the first time, occurred 250 million to 350 million years after the beginning of the universe, according to a new study.
June 21, 2021
New study shows how loss of drought-sensitive species could affect health of California grasslands
At a grassland site near San Jose, scientists studied experimental research plots to determine what might happen if the plants that ecologists expect to be hit hardest by drought actually disappeared.
June 18, 2021
Searching for answers in the cosmos
Alumna Olivia Ross, winner of this year's prestigious Steck Award, took on the daunting quest of trying to find primordial black holes. Her faculty mentor calls this young, tireless scientist a "one-in-a-generation gem."
June 18, 2021
Work in social justice pushes recent grad toward career in medicine
Isabella Bullock realized she wanted to be a physician assistant after UC Santa Cruz courses began to reveal how socioeconomic status and race factor into one’s health.
June 16, 2021
Hydrologist Margaret Zimmer wins NSF CAREER Award
Margaret Zimmer, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has received an award from the National Science Foundation to support her research on the role of Earth’s subsurface in regulating the water cycle.
June 15, 2021
Dialogues, collaborations, and the success of 'slow science'
With funding from the Henry Luce Foundation, the new Southeast Asian Coastal Interactions Initiative takes a methodical approach to worldwide social and environmental challenges
June 09, 2021
Claire Max to retire as director of UC Observatories
Claire Max, director of the University of California Observatories (UCO) and the Bachmann professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, will retire at the end of June.
June 07, 2021
Nabeela Ariqat
Nabeela Ariqat, a first-generation college student, hoped for a new beginning at UC Santa Cruz, which she attended in part because “I felt like I could be who I was,” she said.
June 07, 2021
Simayijiang Xirenayi
When Simayijiang "Sherin" Xirenayi left home at age 19, she knew she wanted to study biology. She attended community college and then transferred to UC Santa Cruz, but it wasn’t an easy move. Her life turned a corner when she was asked to meet with a campus adviser.
June 07, 2021
Axions could be the fossil of the universe researchers have been waiting for
A new study suggests finding the hypothetical particles known as axions could mean finding out for the first time what happened in the universe a second after the Big Bang.
June 07, 2021
Snowflake morays can feed on land, swallow prey without water
While most fish need water to feed, the unique anatomy of moray eels gives snowflake morays the ability to grab and swallow prey on land.
June 04, 2021
David Sanchez Godinez
David Sanchez Godinez arrived at UC Santa Cruz with a passion for scientific exploration. Taking a full load of science classes and getting hands-on learning honed his scientific knowledge—especially his experience working as an undergraduate researcher.
June 03, 2021
Biologist Roxanne Beltran wins funding from Beckman Young Investigator Program
New project aims to provide the first large-scale recordings of sound in the open ocean, using elephant seals as a platform for a novel acoustic recorder.
June 02, 2021
Dead zones formed repeatedly in North Pacific during warm climates, study finds
Over the past 1.2 million years, marine life was repeatedly extinguished in low-oxygen ‘dead zones’ in the North Pacific Ocean during warm interglacial climates.
May 26, 2021
Giant planets found in the stellar suburbs
A planetary census conducted by the California Legacy Survey illuminates where giant planets tend to reside relative to their stars.
May 25, 2021
Non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog reverses effects of stress in mouse study
Free of toxic and hallucinogenic side effects, ibogaine-inspired tabernanthalog shows promise as a potential treatment for the detrimental effects of stress on the brain.
May 20, 2021
Found in translation
Marine scientist Stacy Jupiter, the 2020 Alumni Achievement Award winner, translates science and analysis in ways that inspire people to change behaviors.
May 20, 2021
Astronomers track down fast radio bursts to galaxies’ spiral arms
Mysterious flashes of radio energy that disappear in the blink of an eye originate from young, massive galaxies.
May 20, 2021
Survival of migrating juvenile salmon depends on stream flow thresholds
New understanding of relationship between stream flows and salmon survival provides a critical tool for balancing water needs in the highly managed Sacramento River.
May 19, 2021
Legendary oceanography professor has made sea changes in students' lives
Devoted professor and beloved mentor Gary Griggs has no plans to step down—or even slow down—after 53 years of teaching, advising, and advocating for the environment.
May 19, 2021
Missing the middle: the importance of regional-scale field research
Regional-scale research networks such as the UC Natural Reserve System are ideal for documenting the impact of climate change on plants and animals.
May 18, 2021
Ancient horse DNA reveals gene flow between Eurasian and North American horses
New findings show connections between the ancient horse populations in North America, where horses evolved, and Eurasia, where they were domesticated.
May 06, 2021
'The only way society gets to reopen safely is if we are all vaccinated'
UC Santa Cruz COVID experts Rebecca DuBois, A. Marm Kilpatrick, and Susan Carpenter are urging all unvaccinated people to book an appointment to get their shots immediately, and follow CDC safety guidelines even after the vaccinations take effect.
May 05, 2021
Temperamental supernova appeared strangely cool before exploding
A curiously yellow star has caused astrophysicists to reevaluate the possible pathways that can lead to the explosion of a massive star as a supernova.
May 04, 2021
Long-term monitoring shows successful restoration of mining-polluted streams
Despite differences in aquatic life and toxic metals in streams across a broad region of the western United States, scientists found common responses to cleanup of acid mine drainage.
May 03, 2021
Physics grad student awarded DOE support for research at national lab
Eli Nygren, a graduate student in physics at UCSC, is among 78 outstanding U.S. graduate students to receive support from the Department of Energy’s Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program.
April 29, 2021
Project to read genomes of all 70,000 vertebrate species reports first discoveries
A bold project to read the complete genetic sequences of every known vertebrate species has reached its first milestone, publishing new methods and the first 25 high-quality genomes.
April 28, 2021
William Doyle, founding director of UCSC’s Institute of Marine Sciences, dies at 91
William T. Doyle, professor emeritus of biology and founding director of the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa Cruz, died peacefully at his home in Santa Cruz on April 21. He was 91.
April 28, 2021
Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni
PBSci Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate alums.
April 23, 2021
Three UCSC professors elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Angela Davis, distinguished professor emerita of history of consciousness and feminist studies; James Estes, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology; and Barbara Rogoff, distinguished professor of psychology, are among the newly elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
April 23, 2021
Researchers rescue endangered black abalone buried by debris flows
Massive quantities of sediment washed onto the Big Sur coast from the Dolan Fire burn scar, burying black abalone in their rocky intertidal habitat.
April 19, 2021
James Webb Space Telescope program aims to map the earliest structures of the universe
COSMOS-Webb is slated to be the largest program in JWST’s first year of operation.
April 16, 2021
IMS Director Dan Costa named a fellow of the Society for Marine Mammalogy
Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been honored by the Society of Marine Mammalogy (SMM) in its inaugural class of SMM Fellows.
April 15, 2021
Coral reefs prevent more than $5.3 billion in potential flood damage for U.S. property owners
A new study reveals how valuable coral reefs are in protecting people, structures, and economic activity in the United States from coastal flooding during storms.
April 15, 2021
Baked meteorites yield clues to planetary atmospheres
The gases released from meteorite samples heated in a high-temperature furnace can tell scientists about the initial composition of the atmospheres of rocky exoplanets.
April 13, 2021
Study warns of ‘oxygen false positives’ in search for signs of life on other planets
Oxygen in the atmosphere may not be an entirely reliable ‘biosignature,’ but there are ways to distinguish false positives from signs of life.
April 08, 2021
NASA selects two UCSC scientists to join Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter mission
Ian Garrick-Bethell and Mikhail Kreslavsky are among the nine participating scientists who will join the KPLO science team.
April 08, 2021
UCSC climate change conference focuses on food security issues
‘Confronting Climate Change: Food Security in a Changing World’ will be held virtually April 28-29, featuring a panel of experts and a series of short films.
April 06, 2021
UC Santa Cruz to launch new support center to advance the university’s innovation, industry engagement
UC Santa Cruz is launching a new support center to advance innovation, entrepreneurship and business engagement that will leverage the campus’s innovative spirit and be guided by its deep commitment to environmental and social justice.
April 06, 2021
Erika Zavaleta honored for diversity efforts by Ecological Society of America
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) has chosen Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, to receive its 2021 Commitment to Human Diversity in Ecology Award.
April 01, 2021
Pioneering plant scientist Jean Langenheim dies at 95
Jean Langenheim, an eminent plant ecologist and leading authority on amber and plant resins, died on Sunday, March 28, in Santa Cruz. She was 95.
March 31, 2021
Seymour Center plans for physical reopening as virtual programs continue to expand their reach
Seymour Center Outdoors!, a new in-person outdoor education program, is scheduled to open to the general public on April 24.
March 31, 2021
Postdoctoral fellowships support planetary science research
Emily Martin and Melodie Kao have won 51 Pegasi b Fellowships to support their research on exoplanets.
March 25, 2021
Changes in ocean chemistry show how sea level affects global carbon cycle
A new analysis of strontium isotopes reveals how the global carbon cycle has responded to changes in climate and sea level through geologic time.
March 25, 2021
UC Santa Cruz faculty recognized for excellence in ecology
The Ecological Society of America announced its 2021 Fellow and Early Career Fellow awards, and UC Santa Cruz’s faculty were the most decorated of any university on this year’s list.
March 25, 2021
UCSC ecologist Erika Zavaleta appointed to California Fish and Game Commission
Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, to the California Fish and Game Commission.
March 22, 2021
Influential evolutionary biologist Barry Sinervo dies at age 60
Sinervo made landmark contributions ranging from evolutionary biology and game theory to the effects of climate change on animals and ecosystems.
March 22, 2021
Two UCSC research teams recognized for outstanding papers in PNAS
The Cozzarelli Prize recognizes selected papers as outstanding contributions to the scientific disciplines represented by the National Academy of Sciences.
March 17, 2021
For migrating elephant seals, ‘lightscapes of fear’ shape feeding, resting strategies
A new tracking study shows how elephant seals balance predator avoidance and the need to feed, shifting strategies as their body condition improves during a 7-month foraging migration.
March 11, 2021
Celestial heights and oceanic depths
Two of UC Santa Cruz’s most prominent trailblazers in science, astronomer Sandra Faber and alumna and former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan, spoke of risks, discoveries, and sexism in candid “fireside chat” during a Science and Engineering Library floor-naming event.
March 10, 2021
Low-temperature supercapacitors could power missions to moon and Mars
UCSC researchers developed 3D-printed porous carbon aerogels for electrodes in ultralow-temperature supercapacitors, which could reduce heating needs for future space and polar missions.
March 09, 2021
A little squid and its glowing bacteria yield new clues to symbiotic relationships
A small molecule produced by bioluminescent bacteria as they colonize the light organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid may play a key role in establishing the symbiosis.
March 08, 2021
Sea otters maintain remnants of healthy kelp forest amid sea urchin barrens
While kelp forests have declined dramatically along the California coast, sea otters in Monterey Bay are maintaining patches of healthy kelp forest, according to a new study.
March 08, 2021
Return to Rat Island: Conservation strategy leads to ecosystem rebound
Hawadax Island's birds and seashore ecosystem have returned to a natural balance after the removal of invasive rodents.
March 05, 2021
The collapse of Northern California kelp forests will be hard to reverse
Most of Northern California’s kelp forest ecosystem is gone, replaced by widespread ‘urchin barrens’ that may persist long into the future, according to a new study.
March 03, 2021
UCSC leads multicampus initiative on coastal resilience and climate adaptation
A UC-funded initiative will bring together researchers at the Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and San Diego campuses to address pressing issues for California’s coastal communities.
March 03, 2021
Yuan Ping wins OpenEye award for outstanding junior faculty
The award from the American Chemical Society identifies junior stars in the area of computational chemistry.
March 01, 2021
Scientists describe ‘hidden biodiversity crisis’ as variation within species is lost
Many of the benefits people receive from nature depend on diversity within species, but this intraspecific variation is poorly understood and declining rapidly.
February 26, 2021
Massive debris flow swamps Big Creek Reserve as heavy rains follow summer wildfire
Boulders the size of vehicles and decades-old redwoods were ripped from the banks of the Big Creek drainage when an atmospheric river inundated the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast in late January.
February 26, 2021
Sandra Faber and Kathryn Sullivan to discuss their trailblazing careers in fireside chat
Two of UC Santa Cruz’s most prominent trailblazers in science, astronomer Sandra Faber and alumna and former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan, will discuss their careers in a virtual “fireside chat” on Monday, March 8.
February 23, 2021
COVID and the road ahead
UC Santa Cruz infectious disease expert A. Marm Kilpatrick looked toward the future during his immersive Kraw Lecture about COVID vaccines, variants and the road ahead.
February 17, 2021
Oldest DNA sequences reveal how mammoths evolved
Analysis of ancient DNA sequences recovered from mammoth teeth reveal North American mammoths were descended from two earlier mammoth lineages.
February 11, 2021
What Hollywood gets wrong (and right!) about protecting the Earth from asteroids
Meet alumna Kirsten Howley, the real-life astrophysicist working to prevent 'Armageddon'.
February 10, 2021
Genentech Foundation grants support UCSC STEM diversity programs
Three academic support and mentoring programs at UC Santa Cruz have received funding from Genentech’s 2020 Diverse Future of STEM Fund.
February 09, 2021
Astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska honored for top research paper in Science
J. Xavier Prochaska, distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, and his coauthors of a landmark paper describing a fast radio burst from a massive galaxy have been chosen to receive the prestigious AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.
February 04, 2021
Healthy oceans need healthy soundscapes, say marine scientists
A global team of researchers has documented the pervasive impacts of noise on marine animals and ecosystems and identified actions to return to the soundtrack of the healthy ocean.
February 02, 2021
Meteoric success
Planetary scientist Myriam Telus, a NASA Planetary Science Early Career Award winner, reflects on her journey to UC Santa Cruz to study meteorites: Discovering her passion, seeking out mentors, and finding inspiration in the courage of civil rights movement leaders.
February 02, 2021
Two UCSC astronomers elected Fellows of the American Astronomical Society
Astronomers Raja GuhaThakurta and Garth Illingworth were honored as 2021 AAS Fellows for their extraordinary achievement and service.
February 01, 2021
Noncoding RNA has surprising effects on immune response and sepsis, study finds
A long noncoding RNA regulates the expression of inflammatory genes and has a surprising effect on vulnerability to septic shock in mice.
January 27, 2021
Fellowship program gives UCSC grad policy experience in Sacramento
After earning his Ph.D. in 2020, Jason John will work at the California Natural Resources Agency as a CCST Science Fellow.
January 26, 2021
In Memoriam: Harold Widom (1932–2021)
Harold Widom, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, passed away on Wednesday, January 20.
January 25, 2021
Seymour Marine Discovery Center offers new marine science virtual expeditions
“Scientists Saving the Oceans” program begins with a behind-the-scenes look at how marine mammal researchers are working to protect dolphins and whales from ocean noise.
January 13, 2021
UCSC’s Osterbrock Leadership Program goes national
The National Osterbrock Leadership Program provides experiences and opportunities for astronomy graduate students to develop leadership and management skills.
January 13, 2021
In Memoriam: Claude F. Bernasconi (1939–2021)
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is deeply saddened to announce that Distinguished Professor Claude F. Bernasconi passed away on January 4, 2021, from complications due to COVID-19.
January 12, 2021
Study of flowers with two types of anthers solves mystery that baffled Darwin
Some flowers use a clever strategy to ensure effective pollination by bees, doling out pollen gradually from two different sets of anthers.
January 11, 2021
UC Santa Cruz offers virtual tours of Younger Lagoon Natural Reserve
Prompted by the temporary suspension of in-person tours due to COVID-19, the new virtual tours are available in English and Spanish.
January 11, 2021
Physicist Steven Ritz receives Outstanding Faculty Award
Physics Professor Steven Ritz has received the 2019–20 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
January 08, 2021
Two UCSC geophysicists honored by Royal Astronomical Society
Thorne Lay and Emily Brodsky, both professors of Earth and planetary sciences, are receiving the Gold Medal for Geophysics and the Price Medal, respectively.
January 08, 2021
New analysis highlights importance of groundwater discharge into oceans
A global assessment of the impact of groundwater on ocean chemistry is important for understanding the weathering of rocks and its effects on climate.
January 05, 2021
Friends of Lick Observatory helps fund wildfire recovery efforts
The group has designated $75,000 for the emergency support of wildfire relief efforts at Lick Observatory, where telescopes were saved but infrastructure was damaged.