2022  Research

Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age, study finds

By reconstructing the sea level history of the Bering Strait, scientists found that the strait remained flooded until around 35,700 years ago, not long before humans began migrating into the Americas.

UCSC researcher explores drug use, harm reduction in San Francisco’s Latino/x community

It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has devastated our country, especially within communities of color. Latino/xs have seen some of the highest drug addiction rates, which have only increased due to the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, San Francisco was the county with the third-highest opioid-related death rate among Latinos in California.

New study presents vision of machine learning leveraged for precision medicine

In a new perspective published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics Marcella Gomez details a vision for how the field can move beyond static data to create systems that measure and monitor the real-time responses of the body to a variety of factors and use a machine learning algorithm to produce, and even in some instances carry out, a treatment plan.

Biochemist Laura Sanchez receives Allen Distinguished Investigator award

Sanchez is among 16 new Allen Distinguished Investigators awarded a total of $10 million in research funding to support cutting-edge projects in protein lifespan and nutrient sensing.

Breaking up is hard to do: Separation of Fiji and Vanuatu tied to Samoan seamounts

New analyses of volcanic rock samples collected in the 1980s link the geologic histories of these South Pacific islands to explain their current locations and character.

UC Santa Cruz scholar receives major new grant to support inclusive community development throughout California

As state and federal agencies are investing increasing funding in pandemic recovery, infrastructure development and initiatives to address climate change, a collaboration of renowned scholars led by UC Santa Cruz are working with community groups to ensure equity and inclusion are at the heart of these efforts.

Social Sciences dean wins prestigious research award, visiting fellowship in Germany

Social Sciences dean Katharyne Mitchell will be busy packing her bags for the holidays, but not for the reason you may think. She’s heading to Göttingen, Germany, as a visiting scholar for the next six months at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Economic Diversity.

Astronomers report most distant known galaxies, detected and confirmed by Webb telescope

Spectroscopic observations with the James Webb Space Telescope confirm four early galaxies dating back to less than 400 million years after the Big Bang, three of which are the most distant confirmed to date.

Colombia, a global biodiversity hotspot, faces rising threats to bird species from expanding human footprint

A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters used satellite mapping data to analyze how changes in human footprint on the landscape between 1970 and 2018 overlapped with distributions of 1,469 Colombian bird species. The study is the first of its kind to expand focus from forested regions, like the Amazon and Chocó, to all of Colombia’s terrestrial habitats.

Computer engineer embarks on bold project for a new vision of distributed shared memory

With the support of a new NSF grant, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Peter Alvaro is embarking on a project, called Memory at Scale On Networks (MaSON), to achieve a bold vision for a novel operating system and network that support a new overall model for programming big data systems.

Undergraduates in UC Santa Cruz’s Human Rights Investigations Lab fight for migrant rights

UC Santa Cruz’s Human Rights Investigations Lab, housed in the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas, has been assisting those seeking asylum in the United States and fighting back against the controversial Title 42 immigration policy.

Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative secures planning grant for six-county region

Spurred by California’s Regional K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program, educational leaders from Santa Cruz to Ventura formed the Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative to address the urgent, systemic educational inequities and economic needs in the region.

Integrated platform promises to accelerate drug discovery process

Novel approach integrates complex datasets from screening of natural products libraries, improving characterization of bioactive molecules and their mechanisms of action.

Long-standing genomic mystery about the origins of introns explained in new study

A new study led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) points to introners, one of several proposed mechanisms for the creation of introns, as an explanation for the origins of most introns across species.

Braingeneers develop novel method to automate the growth of brain tissue organoids on a chip

A team of engineers and scientists at UC Santa Cruz has developed a new method for remote automation of the growth of cerebral organoids – miniature, three-dimensional models of brain tissue grown from stem cells.

New JWST data reveal more details of exoplanet WASP-39b's atmosphere

A 'mystery molecule' seen in the initial spectrum has been identified as sulfur dioxide produced by photochemical reactions in the planet's atmosphere.

Growing Our Own - From research opportunities to the professoriate

Solidifying its commitment to increasing the diversity of its faculty, both underrepresented minorities and female faculty, last year, the University of California launched the Growing Our Own initiative.

Batalha testifies at Congressional hearing on the initial scientific findings of the JWST

The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most powerful telescope humans have sent to space and, Batalha asserts, it is ushering in a new era of exoplanet science.

Webb telescope draws back the curtain on universe’s early galaxies

Initial findings from JWST Early Release Science programs include the discovery of two exceptionally bright galaxies in the early universe.

Offshore wind farms may harm seabirds, but scientists see potential for net positive impact

A new study presents a framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds.

Remote-controlled microscopes bring complex biology education to students worldwide

As detailed in new research, UC Santa Cruz researchers have developed a method for using remote-controlled, internet-connected microscopes to enable students anywhere in the world to participate in designing and carrying out biology experiments.

UC Santa Cruz earns Agricultural Experiment Station designation

The designation marks more than 50 years of industry-leading research in organic agriculture and sustainable farming practices at the campus and opens doors to expand community impact.

UCSC marine sciences professor to lead new Center for Coastal Climate Resilience

Longtime UC Santa Cruz marine sciences professor Michael W. Beck is adding a new role to his resume: director of the campus’ recently announced Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.

Engineer deploys research on 'mud batteries' for powering sustainable agriculture

UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Colleen Josephson published new research on the current state and future potential of microbial fuel cells for powering sustainable agriculture systems.

UCSC scientists find microplastics in Monterey Bay water, anchovies, and seabirds

Microparticles recovered from some seabirds exhibited estrogenic activity with potential to disrupt hormone functions.

Death of a star reveals midsize black hole lurking in a dwarf galaxy

By studying intermediate-mass black holes, scientists hope to improve their understanding of the growth of supermassive black holes in massive galaxies.

UCSC researchers win NOAA grants to study climate change patterns in California's marine sanctuaries

Two UC Santa Cruz researchers will be delving deeper into coastal and climate resiliency efforts within California's marine sanctuaries as part of two recent grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Report outlines plans for major research effort on subduction zone geologic hazards

An ambitious interdisciplinary initiative aims to advance understanding of the processes that trigger earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions where tectonic plates converge.

Global analysis shows where fishing vessels turn off their identification devices

A new dataset of intentional disabling of Automatic Identification System devices by fishing vessels provides insights into illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity.

Physicist Jairo Velasco Jr. wins $1.25 million award from Moore Foundation

The Moore Foundation’s Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative supports outstanding U.S. experimental physicists pursuing transformative research.

Social Documentation MFAs to share thesis documentaries at live screening event November 9

UC Santa Cruz’s annual Social Documentation (SocDoc) exhibition returns live and in person for the first time since 2019, free to the public this November 9th from 7-10pm at the Del Mar Theatre in downtown Santa Cruz.

Food system researcher unpacks the narratives driving a race for new protein sources

UC Santa Cruz professor and food system expert Julie Guthman's latest paper explores the cultural mythologies around protein that are being spread through marketing and fundraising efforts for novel protein products.

Research to identify biological hotspots in the oceans will help reduce human impacts

A grant from the Office of Naval Research funds research using elephant seals to find marine hotspots while providing support for undergraduate researchers, an assessment of ethical considerations, and training to create inclusive environments for field research.

UCSC faculty, staff, and students support Salton Sea restoration planning

An independent review panel supported by UC Santa Cruz recently completed its work evaluating restoration options to address environmental, public health, and economic issues in the Salton Sea region.

Student researchers investigate toxic lead exposure in golden eagles

A gift from the Webster Foundation to UCSC’s Predatory Bird Research Group supports student interns helping to study lead poisoning in eagles and monitor peregrine falcons.

micha cárdenas wins prestigious Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize from National Women's Studies Association

UC Santa Cruz Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Performance, Play and Design, and Associate Professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Dr. micha cárdenas has been awarded the National Women's Studies Association’s Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize for her book Poetic Operations: Trans of Color Art in Digital Media.

National Science Foundation grant will help establish ethics and equity best practices for emerging forms of science and technology

Sociology Professor Jenny Reardon, founding director of the Science & Justice Research Center at UC Santa Cruz, won a nearly $400,000 grant to study ethics and equity in the design of science and engineering projects.

Biomolecular engineering professor wins American Cancer Society award to develop technology for cancer early detection

Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Daniel Kim won a four-year, $792,000 Research Scholar award from the American Cancer Society to support his work in developing RNA liquid biopsy technology to diagnose cancer early on.

UC Santa Cruz named 2022 Fulbright HSI Leader

UC Santa Cruz has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader for the second year in a row by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Unseen California arts initiative uses NRS reserves as canvas

A new arts initiative aims to connect both professional artists and UC students with the UC Natural Reserve System.

Applications now available for the 2023 UCSC CIDER Pilot Training Program

The UCSC CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research has opened applications for the 2023 Drone Pilot Training and Mentoring Program.

Research on shear strength of rock has implications for carbon sequestration

With a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Energy, seismologist Emily Brodsky will address seismic challenges involved in carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and other areas.

UCSC welcomes 41 outstanding new faculty members

With the start of the 2022-23 academic year, UC Santa Cruz welcomes 41 new senate faculty members. The research and creative scholarship and expertise brought to our campus by these new faculty colleagues will strengthen existing areas of work and open discovery opportunities.

Honoring our innovative and creative faculty

The Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards is a new program that celebrates our talented faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners for their outstanding contributions to innovation and creativity that catalyze transformative change and societal impact.

Collaboration between engineering and astrophysics will develop cutting-edge spectrometers-on-a-chip

Two researchers have won an NSF grant that will allow them to pursue the emerging technology of spectrometers on a chip – tiny devices for separating and measuring light at ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths which can enable advances in astronomy when used as part of telescope instrumentation.

UCSC chemistry department garners three NIH MIRA grants

These grants provide five years of funding for research programs at UCSC on protein synthesis, biosynthetic strategies, and biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer.

UC Santa Cruz’s Research Center for the Americas to be named in honor of Dolores Huerta

UC Santa Cruz will rename the Research Center for the Americas, which is celebrating 30 years of groundbreaking research, in honor of social justice icon Dolores Huerta, whose legacy has influenced the center’s work and values.

Saturn’s rings and tilt could be the product of an ancient, missing moon

A “grazing encounter” may have smashed the moon to bits to form Saturn’s rings, a new study suggests.

Study reveals the molecular origin of the genetic disease cystinosis

New understanding of how the transporter protein cystinosin functions may lead to better treatments for a devastating genetic disease.

Record of Antarctic ice sheet response to climate cycles found in rock samples

The effects of global climate cycles on Southern Ocean temperatures drove cycles of melting and freezing in the East Antarctic Ice Sheet every few thousand years, according to a new study.

UC Santa Cruz recognized for longstanding commitment to undergraduate teaching in latest rankings

UC Santa Cruz is ranked among the top 10 public universities for excellence in undergraduate teaching, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report. UCSC also ranked as a leading university for social mobility and among top public universities.

Innovative climate resilience projects supported by 2022 CITRIS Campus Seed Funding awards

Four winning projects have been funded through the The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz’s Campus Seed Funding program to pursue research relating to climate resilience.

With Pivot Fellowship, astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska turns to oceanography

A new program from the Simons Foundation supports successful researchers who have a deep interest, curiosity, and drive to make contributions to a new discipline.

UCSC partners in NSF research hub to use nature to protect coastal communities

A $20 million NSF grant funds the new Climate Risks and Equitable Nature-based Solutions Hub, focusing on coral reef and mangrove ecosystems.

New study confirms ‘rippled sheet’ protein structure predicted in 1953

UCSC scientists reported three crystal structures of periodic rippled beta sheets, a novel protein structure with potential applications in biomedicine and materials science.

NASA releases Webb telescope's first exoplanet image

UCSC astronomers led the analysis of the first exoplanet images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Applied mathematician wins DOE grant to improve the safety of particle accelerators

UCSC Professor of Applied Mathematics Dongwook Lee has won a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which will fund his research on improving computer models for safety mechanisms within particle accelerators.

New book explores citizenship rights and Black anti-racist politics in Italy

Associate Professor of Sociology Camilla Hawthorne’s latest book, Contesting Race and Citizenship, explores how Black Italians are fighting for change against the country’s restrictive citizenship laws.

JWST makes first unequivocal detection of carbon dioxide in an exoplanet atmosphere

UCSC astronomer Natalie Batalha leads a team that detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-39b using the James Webb Space Telescope.

Political parties use gerrymandering to counteract shifting voter preferences in key battleground states

Research that focused on battleground states suggests that whichever party controls the redistricting process in the state legislature engineers an 11 percentage point increase in its probability of winning a U.S. House race in the next election. And these advantages often run counter to the will of voters.

Missing carbon monoxide in planetary disks was hiding in the ice

In planetary disks, carbon monoxide is lurking in large chunks of ice, solving the decade-old question, ‘Where is the CO?’

Economics Professor Robert Fairlie takes home the Bradford-Osborne Research Award for the second year in a row

The annual award recognizes the best peer-reviewed paper on diversity and entrepreneurship, and Fairlie was honored for his years-long research on the lack of access to capital for Black-owned startups compared to white-owned startups.

Envisioning food systems change with new Center for Agroecology Executive Director Darryl Wong

The UC Santa Cruz news team interviewed the Center for Agroecology's new executive director, Darryl Wong, to learn more about the center’s goals for the future and the perspective he’ll bring to the role.

Incoming UC Santa Cruz class exemplifies academic excellence and diversity

UC Santa Cruz anticipates welcoming approximately 5,100 new Banana Slugs this fall, concluding an admissions cycle that reflected increased interest in the campus. Campus leaders are carefully managing student enrollment and working to provide more on-campus housing for students because of a statewide housing crisis that is particularly difficult in Santa Cruz.

Locally supportive climates may do little to aid mental health for LGBTQ+ youth amidst broader societal stigma

New research shows little difference in mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth between some of California's most and least supportive communities for sexual and gender diversity. The findings also indicate factors that may contribute to this trend.

Data from elephant seals reveal new features of marine heatwave ‘the Blob’

Instruments carried by migrating elephant seals measured deep warm-water anomalies that lasted much longer than the surface warming.

UC Santa Cruz teams with TiE Global to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life

UC Santa Cruz and TiE Global are establishing the Destination Silicon Valley program to leverage the Silicon Valley presence of both organizations and create new learning opportunities for university-based entrepreneurs from across the world, including University of California students and innovators, and others from TiE’s 59 chapters.

Center for Reimagining Leadership

Center for Reimagining Leadership has been established, effective July 1, 2022. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will be the faculty director of the center.

Eric Palkovacs appointed Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives

Hallmark cancer gene regulates RNA ‘dark matter’

A new study finds that a key genetic mutation that occurs early on in cancer alters RNA “dark matter” and causes the release of previously unknown RNA biomarkers for cancer early detection.

Researchers track juvenile elephant seals for insights into mortality rates

An outreach program to bring science and scientists into K-12 classrooms is part of a study investigating the differences between male and female elephant seals.

UC-HBCU grants support UCSC faculty collaborations with HBCUs

A summer research program and a historical archaeology course won funding from a UC initiative to support partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

DOE supports UCSC ‘spin chemistry’ research with $1.2 million grant

Chemistry Professor Yuan Ping leads a project to develop computational tools for spin dynamics applications in chemistry and materials science.

Alternate reality game launching Fall ‘22 will measure resilience of first-year students

“LUX,” a non-traditional research project to measure the resilience of its players, will officially launch this fall, recruiting participants from the incoming first-year class..

New study dives deep into the sustainability of an alternative aquaculture feed ingredient

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a new life cycle sustainability assessment documenting the environmental benefits and impacts of using the marine microalga Schizochytrium sp. to replace fish oil as an ingredient in aquaculture feed.

Narwhals show physiological disruption in response to seismic survey ship noise

Scientists deployed monitoring devices on narwhals to record heart rates, breathing, and diving behavior during seismic air gun pulses from a ship in the fjords of Greenland.

UCSC scholars join researchers statewide on a massive genomic study of California’s biodiversity

The California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP) is a state-funded initiative with a single goal: to produce the most comprehensive, multispecies genomic dataset ever assembled to help manage regional biodiversity.

Two from UC Santa Cruz awarded Fulbright grants

Two PhD candidates at UC Santa Cruz have been offered prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Destruction and recovery of kelp forests driven by changes in sea urchin behavior

A long-term study of kelp forest dynamics on California’s Central Coast highlights the critical role of sea urchin behavior, not just the size of the urchin population.

Autistic adults have become increasingly visible in media, books, television, and more in the past decade, but challenges with representation persist

Researchers documented a shift toward more numerical representation for adults in popular portrayals of autism, which have historically focused on children.

These red flags can let you know when you’re in an online echo chamber

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have identified specific elements of tone and style in online speech that are linked to hyperpartisan echo chambers. These language markers could also prove useful for flagging spaces where disinformation may be likely to emerge.

Study finds chaos is more common in ecological systems than previously thought

The idea that chaos is rare in natural populations may be due to methodological and data limitations, rather than the inherent stability of ecosystems.

Reefense project aims to meld biology and engineering in novel structures for coastal protection

UCSC scientists are part of a DARPA-funded team to develop innovative solutions for coral reef restoration in Florida and the Caribbean to protect coastal infrastructure.

Study shows mangrove and reef restoration yield positive returns on investment for flood protection

A robust analysis demonstrates that nature-based solutions to reduce the damage caused by coastal flooding are cost-effective.

Polar bears in Southeast Greenland shed light on the species’ future in a warming Arctic

The most genetically isolated population of polar bears on the planet, they have limited access to sea ice and use ice from Greenland’s glaciers to survive.

100,000-year-old polar bear genome reveals ancient hybridization with brown bears

Scientists found that all brown bears today have some polar bear ancestry due to genetic admixture that occurred during a warm interglacial period more than 100,000 years ago.

Microbiologist Jacqueline Kimmey named Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences

Kimmey’s lab is investigating how susceptibility to infections is influenced by the daily biological cycles known as circadian rhythms.

Hunting in darkness, elephant seals use sensitive whiskers to find prey

Researchers used miniature video cameras to study how free-ranging elephant seals use their whiskers to track down prey in the darkness of the deep ocean.

Simulations reveal hydrodynamics of planetary engulfment by expanding star

A new study using hydrodynamical simulations reveals the forces acting on a planet when it is swallowed by an expanding star, as will eventually happen to the inner planets of our solar system when the sun becomes a red giant.

Zimmer to develop Responsible AI course

Zimmer will join colleagues from around the U.S. to plan classes that better explore the impact of artificial intelligence on our world.

UC Santa Cruz joins in forming alliance to increase Hispanic opportunity

Joining with 19 leading universities, UC Santa Cruz today announced the formation of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, which aims to increase opportunity for those historically underserved by higher education.

Proposal for new program, Pathways to the Professoriate in the Arts and Humanities, selected for funding by UC President’s Office

A new cross-divisional initiative to prepare graduate students in the Arts and Humanities at UC Santa Cruz from historically underrepresented groups to go on to the professoriate has been selected for funding.

UC Santa Cruz named No. 2 public university for ‘making an impact’

Princeton Review has named UC Santa Cruz the No. 2 public university in the nation for students focused on making an impact on the world. The honor underscores the university’s commitment to encouraging positive social impact and is an increase from last year’s No. 3 spot.

Karen Miga named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022

Karen Miga, assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz, was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2022 by TIME. The honor was announced on May 23.

New findings enable monitoring for harmful toxin in freshwater environments

Researchers have identified the genes involved in biosynthesis of guanitoxin, a potent neurotoxin produced by some freshwater harmful algal blooms.

Large Hadron Collider restarts after major upgrades

UC Santa Cruz physicists have been at the forefront of U.S. participation in the LHC and contributed to a major upgrade of the ATLAS detector during the shutdown.

As climate shifts, species will need to relocate, and people may have to help them

A new survey summarizes scientific recommendations for conservationists and land managers tasked with managing biodiversity in a changing climate.

Unlocking a cure for carbon monoxide poisoning

UCSC researcher Tim Johnstone has designed small molecules that can bind CO, sequester CO that is already bonded to hemoglobin, and rescue red blood cells exposed to CO, all promising signs for a future antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.

New global forecasts of marine heatwaves foretell ecological and economic impacts

The forecasts could help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves.

New study examines ethics of community-engaged research from the perspective of community partners

Even the most collaborative research models come with ethical challenges, a new study shows. This highlights the importance of equity-centered approaches. 

Watsonville Filipino history digital archive now available for public viewing

The Watsonville is in the Heart Digital Archive is now viewable online and features oral history recordings, original documents, photos, and family artifacts highlighting Filipino history in the Pajaro Valley.

2022 PIT-UN Network Challenge funding open for submissions

The Public Interest Technology - University Network (PIT-UN) has opened the call for proposals for the 2022 Network Challenge funding opportunity.

First complete, gapless sequence of a human genome reveals hidden regions

Parts of the human genome now available to study for the first time are important for understanding genetic diseases, human diversity, and evolution.

Methane could be the first detectable indication of life beyond Earth

A new study assesses the planetary context in which the detection of methane in an exoplanet’s atmosphere could be considered a compelling sign of life.

Local pumas don’t sense danger in places where they’re most often killed by humans

A new study led by UC Santa Cruz researchers suggests that pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains don’t make accurate assessments of where they are most likely to be killed by humans, especially when it comes to the threat of being killed in retaliation for loss of livestock.

Economics Professor Rob Fairlie testifies before committee in U.S. House of Representatives to share research on Paycheck Protection Program

Fairlie testified on his latest research, which showed that changes to the Paycheck Protection Program in 2021 helped to improve racial equity in loan distribution.

UC Santa Cruz lecturer and alumna contributes to IPCC’s 2022 report on global climate change

Pam Rittelmeyer, a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Studies and College Nine, is a contributing author on the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Effects of ancient carbon releases suggest possible scenarios for future climate

New findings reveal a precursor event before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, giving scientists a fresh perspective on future global climate scenarios.

Chemical analysis reveals effects of wildfire smoke on grapes and wines

A new study provides practical guidelines for using biomarkers to identify ‘smoke taint’ in grapes and wines affected by the smoke from wildfires.

New study confirms bioengineered RSV protein vaccine evokes protective immune response

Two UC Santa Cruz researchers just marked a major milestone in their effort to create an effective vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can cause severe respiratory disease in children and the elderly.

California Sea Grant funds graduate research fellows at UCSC

California Sea Grant has awarded funding to four UC Santa Cruz graduate students for marine science research projects that address the agency’s priority themes of resilient coastal communities and economies, sustainable fisheries, and healthy coastal ecosystems.

UC Santa Cruz to implement strategic plan for internationalization

UC Santa Cruz is advancing comprehensive internationalization to ensure that the members of the campus community are prepared and encouraged to study, teach, conduct research, and work in a global context, and that institutional policies, programs, and initiatives are aligned to achieve this shared goal.

New responsible data sharing technique will enable better understanding of disease-causing genetic variants

Scientists may better understand and test for the genetic variations that cause cancer and other heritable diseases through the application of a novel strategy for securely sharing and analyzing genomic data developed at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute.

Younger Lagoon study tells a tale of two fishes

Research at UCSC's Younger Lagoon shows that the state of estuary waters, not competition from another fish species, is the most important predictor of populations of an endangered fish.

Elephant seals’ map sense tells them when to head ‘home’

Researchers found that female elephant seals know their distance from the breeding beach and allocate extra time to get back if they have farther to travel.

A slow-motion section of the San Andreas Fault may not be so harmless after all

A study of rocks drilled from nearly 2 miles under the surface suggests that the central section of the San Andreas fault has hosted many major earthquakes, including some that could have been fairly recent.

UC Santa Cruz joins Social Science Research Council

The campus is now a member of the Social Science Research Council's College and University Fund for the Social Sciences, which will offer new opportunities for UC Santa Cruz to help shape research priorities across the field.

Ocean scientist Claudie Beaulieu wins NSF CAREER Award

Claudie Beaulieu, assistant professor of ocean sciences, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her work using data science to study climate variability and climate change.

A surprising heat source is melting the Greenland Ice Sheet from the bottom up

Researchers have observed extremely high rates of melting at the bottom of the Greenland Ice Sheet, caused by huge quantities of meltwater descending from the surface to the base.

Easy aluminum nanoparticles for rapid, efficient hydrogen generation from water

UCSC chemists developed a simple method to make aluminum nanoparticles that split water and generate hydrogen gas rapidly under ambient conditions.

'Abolition. Feminism. Now.' earns national praise

The book, authored by Professor Emerita Angela Y. Davis and Associate Professor Gina Dent, is garnering national attention for its pathbreaking examination of abolition and feminism in the 21st century.

Tilting of Earth’s crust governed the flow of ancient megafloods

Study provides a new perspective on Washington state’s Channeled Scablands, carved by the Missoula megafloods at the end of the last ice age.

San Lorenzo River was transformed by early logging in the Santa Cruz Mountains

The San Lorenzo River cut a deep channel and abandoned its floodplain in the Felton area around the time of intensive clearcutting in the surrounding mountains, according to a study by UCSC researchers.

First nationwide study of scams targeting immigrants shows local social context may help or hinder reporting

Assistant Professor of Sociology Juan Manuel Pedroza's latest research offers insights that may help improve access to justice for vulnerable communities.

Genome of extinct Steller’s sea cow reveals surprising link to human skin disease

Analysis of ancient DNA from sea cow bones finds genes that may have played a role in adaptation to cold marine environment and yields evidence of a long population decline.

Computer scientist Lindsey Kuper wins NSF CAREER award

Lindsey Kuper, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has won a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund her lab’s study of distributed systems.

UC Santa Cruz announces ambitious investment to hire 100 additional faculty over decade, part of broader effort to advance student success and research excellence

To advance its place as an international leader at the intersection of innovation and social justice, UC Santa Cruz announced today its intention to prioritize faculty hiring by adding 100 additional faculty over the next decade.

'From the Margins: Dante 701 Years Later' to provide critical perspectives on author's work

Funded through the Siegfried B. and Elisabeth Mignon Puknat Literary Studies Endowment and presented by The Humanities Institute, the series will include events taking place throughout 2022 to engage with Dante’s work through a much different lens than the usual discussions of his life and work.

Equity gaps in COVID-19 deaths closed for some racial and ethnic groups, widened for others during vaccine rollout in California

New research from UC Santa Cruz, Stanford University, and UC San Francisco shows how racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 deaths across California changed as the rollout process for vaccines began.

UCSC researchers study effects of wildfire runoff on steelhead sense of smell

The 2020 wildfires offered UCSC researchers a chance to study how the runoff after wildfire affects one of the region’s most iconic fish: steelhead trout.

Climate action planning misses equity opportunities in many California cities

A new study led by UC Santa Cruz analyzed 170 climate action plans across California to find out how cities are incorporating equity into their efforts to curb emissions and address climate change impacts.

History professor earns 2021 National Jewish Book Award for look at New York Hasidic Jewish community

Nathaniel Deutsch was recently announced as a winner of a 2021 National Jewish Book Award in the category of American Jewish Studies for his recently-published work, A Fortress in Brooklyn: Race, Real Estate, and the Making of Hasidic Williamsburg. He shares the award with his co-author Michael Casper. 

Grant supports project to digitize, preserve materials at Biblioteca Amazónica

The project will concentrate its efforts on those items within the archives that are unique to the Biblioteca Amazónica and not available elsewhere. One important inclusion will be back issues of three local newspapers — El Eco, La Razón, and El Oriente — that have never been fully digitized before.

National Endowment for the Arts award to support 'Surge,' an afrofuturism festival

Events will take place throughout the academic year, culminating in a month-long festival in May 2022 with live music concerts and dance performances.

Computer engineer Scott Beamer wins NSF CAREER Award

Scott Beamer, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has received a Faculty Early Career Development Award from the NSF to support his work on verifiable computation.

MaNGA team releases largest-ever collection of 3D maps of nearby galaxies

The release of the complete dataset of 10,000 galaxies observed by the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) project makes MaNGA the largest galaxy survey of its kind.

Simulated image shows how NASA’s Roman could expand on Hubble’s deepest view

The Roman Space Telescope will have the power to perform an observation similar to the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, but on a much larger scale.

Astronomers witness the explosive end of a dying star

The Young Supernova Experiment transient survey observed a red supergiant during its final 130 days leading up to a supernova explosion.