2023  All Activity Areas

Smart microgrids can restore power more efficiently and reliably in an outage

A new AI model that optimizes the use of renewables and other energy sources outperforms traditional power restoration techniques for islanded microgrids, a new paper from Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Yu Zhang shows.

Philanthropist and advocate Rowland Rebele dies at age 93

Rowland Rebele, a distinguished publisher, philanthropist, homeless advocate, and unwavering supporter of the arts, died Saturday, Nov. 25, at the age of 93. His indomitable spirit and fervent commitment to Santa Cruz have left an indelible imprint on both the community and the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Funding opportunities to develop UC Santa Cruz innovations

The Innovation & Business Engagement Hub is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities to advance innovations being developed at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC’s 2023 iGEM team grabs fourth consecutive gold medal and nomination for best software tool at international competition

A team of UC Santa Cruz students won a gold medal at the 2023 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Grand Jamboree, marking their fourth consecutive year of bringing home the prize, and were nominated as best software tool for the first time.

2023/2024 Winter Campus Curtailment Time Reporting in CruzPay

Winter Campus Curtailment occurs this year from Monday, December 25, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024.

2023 list of most highly cited researchers includes 18 UC Santa Cruz scientists and engineers

In a notable recognition of scholarly achievement, 18 scientists and engineers from UC Santa Cruz have earned a spot on the 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list, recently unveiled by Clarivate.

New eDNA Explorer provides a powerful new resource for conservation

CALeDNA has launched a prototype of their new eDNA Explorer, an open-source tool that provides a powerful and easily accessible platform for sharing, exploring, and analyzing data from projects that use environmental DNA.

UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education upgrades its Semiconductor and VLSI Engineering Certificate to address skilled professional shortage and industry growth

UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education is proud to announce the upgrade of its Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering Certificate program (Formerly known as VLSI and Semiconductor Engineering), aimed at alleviating the shortage of skilled professionals in the industry and meeting the growing demands of the semiconductor sector.

Dwarf planet Eris is squishier than expected

University of California, Santa Cruz Professor of Planetary Sciences Francis Nimmo recently co-authored a Science Advances paper about the internal structure of the dwarf planet Eris.

Visits set for Director of Athletics & Recreation candidates

Chancellor Larive elected to board of the Association of American Universities

UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Linda Koval’s three-decade commitment

Alumna Linda Koval understands the challenges students face and wants to help break down barriers. She has supported UCSC through her time and resources for nearly three decades.

New book shares expertise from UC Santa Cruz and beyond on preparing students to tackle environmental justice issues

A new book developed by UC Santa Cruz faculty and staff offers teaching examples, strategies, and classroom tools to help integrate environmental justice into courses in ways that center equity.

UC Santa Cruz faculty member elected president of Sociologists for Women in Society

Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Sylvanna Falcón was recently elected president of Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS). Falcón’s term in the position will start at the beginning of 2024.

Environmental toxicologist Don Smith receives Outstanding Faculty Award

Don Smith, distinguished professor of microbiology and environmental toxicology, has been awarded the 2022-2023 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. The annual award is the division’s highest honor for faculty achievement, recognizing combined excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Campus to eliminate enrollment adjustment fees effective January

UC Santa Cruz is eliminating three long-standing enrollment adjustment fees, including the $10 Removal of Incomplete Fee.

Notice of open comment, UC policy on the use of university vehicles

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy BFB-BUS-46 Use of University Vehicles.

François Monard honored with Calderón Prize for inverse problems work

University of California, Santa Cruz professor of mathematics François Monard has received the prestigious Calderón Prize for his work in the field of inverse problems.

Annual Harvest Meal planned for November 23

UC Santa Cruz Dining will be hosting the annual Harvest Meal on Thursday, November 23, 1–4 p.m., at the College Nine/John R. Lewis dining hall.

Fishing chimpanzees found to enjoy termites as a seasonal treat

A UCSC-led research team that copied chimpanzee tools and techniques showed that chimpanzees living in western Tanzania can only reliably fish for termites in the early wet season.

UCSC doctoral graduate wins prestigious Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists

Jessica Kendall-Bar, who received her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology last year from UC Santa Cruz with co-advisors Terrie Williams and Dan Costa, was named a recipient of the prestigious Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists for her research on elephant seal sleep habits while they are at sea.

Brain-inspired AI code library passes major milestone, new paper offers perspective on future of field

UCSC Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jason Eshraghian's open source code library for brain-inspired deep learning, called “snnTorch,” has surpassed 100,000 downloads and is used in a wide variety of projects. A new paper details the code and offers a perspective on the future of the field.

World-renowned supernova expert honored for breakthrough contributions to astronomy

Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.

UC Santa Cruz will lead new systemwide basic needs consortium to bring together researchers and practitioners

UC Santa Cruz’s Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance will become the UC Santa Cruz Center for Economic Justice and Action, taking on a new leadership role in University of California basic needs efforts that enhance students’ access to food, housing, and other essential resources.

Open enrollment ends Friday at 5 p.m. UC

New open access course – data-driven animation for science communication

The Teaching & Learning Center at UC Santa Cruz is delighted to announce that Dr. Jessica Kendall-Bar has created an open access version of her Data-Driven Animation for Science Communication course, which is now freely available on the Coursera platform.

UC Santa Cruz students host second annual Student Climate Conference

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at UC Santa Cruz’s Rachel Carson College, the UC Santa Cruz Climate Coalition is hosting a Student Climate Conference, with student panels, academic posters, and art from graduate and undergraduate students from not just UC Santa Cruz but other California colleges and universities.

UCSC’s 2023 United Way Employee Campaign now underway

2023 UCSC United Way campaign has officially launched. The 2023 campaign - United in Purpose - centers the increased impact we can have when we come together, united in a common goal.

Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative receives $18.1 million grant to revolutionize student pathways and bridge equity gaps

The Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative has been awarded an $18.1 million, three-year grant through California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) to establish new or expand existing pathways for career opportunities and to address long-standing equity gaps for students across the region.

A major new site expansion at Lick Observatory is on the horizon

Lick Observatory's positioning in the Northern Hemisphere enables observation of a substantial portion of the Milky Way galaxy where there are a multitude of stars, billions of potential sites for life. Making Lick Observatory a perfect home for PANOSETI, or "Panoramic SETI or Pulse All-sky Near Infrared Optical SETI."

UC Santa Cruz welcomes new director of Audit and Management Advisory Services

Amy Kozak has been named UC Santa Cruz’s new director of Audit and Management Advisory Services. She started her role Monday, November 13.

University Center Bistro now open for weekday lunch service

University Center Bistro has opened its doors for lunch Monday through Friday above the College Nine/John R. Lewis dining hall, giving faculty, staff, and students a new dining experience to enjoy on campus this fall.

Upholding community responsibilities

As our community members seek to have their voices heard and to engage in protest, it is crucial not to let the overwhelming nature of the pain we feel cause us to abandon our obligations to each other.

Policies regarding academic freedom and political advocacy in the classroom

Giving Day 2023 breaks records

Giving Day, UC Santa Cruz’s biggest fundraising event of the year, wraps up on a high note.

Prescribed burns near campus today and tomorrow

California State Parks has announced that it will be conducting prescribed burns in Wilder Ranch today, November 8, and tomorrow, Nov. 9.

Award winning composer and television producer Ken Corday returns to campus for music recital

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Ken Corday will perform a solo piano recital on Nov. 17 at UCSC’s Music Center.

Celebrating Election Heroes

November 6 was Election Hero Day, a civic holiday honoring the heroes of American democracy. UC Santa Cruz wants to celebrate the tremendous contributions our students have made, ensuring a safe, secure, and accessible voting experience for everyone in the campus community.

UC Santa Cruz students win three categories at Orange County Sustainability Decathlon

An interdisciplinary team of UC Santa Cruz students, many from the Rachel Carson College Sustainability Minor program, designed and built EcoHus, an innovative, affordable, net-zero house. The EcoHus team was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to participate in the 2023 Orange County Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD) held on Oct. 5-15, where they won first place in three categories, and secured second and third place in other categories.

Communication, connection and inclusion are priorities for 2023 Outstanding Staff Awardee

Monique Leduc has been a valued member of the UC Santa Cruz community for 34 years, starting as an assistant analyst in the Financial Aid office in 1989. Six years later, she moved to the office that became Financial Affairs and has worked there ever since.

True or false? How uncertainty about the accuracy of information affects learning

UC Santa Cruz postdoctoral scholar Karen Arcos, Assistant Professor of Psychology Hannah Hausman, and Department Chair of Psychology Benjamin Storm published new research that explores how the process of guessing whether information is true or not might affect learning.

Immigrants targeted by scams are seeking justice. Here’s how to help them get it

Assistant Professor of Sociology Juan Manuel Pedroza's research has identified trends in what types of justice immigrants who have been targeted by scams are seeking and offers recommendations for policymakers and law enforcement agencies on how to expand access to justice.

Emeritus Rex: Tackling the role of King Lear by Professor Emeritus Paul Whitworth

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theatre, Paul Whitworth discusses Shakespeare’s ‘retirement’ play, King Lear. Whitworth asks: what happens when you decide to step down and face the last years of your life?

Seeing “One Too Many Racist Musicals” is What Led Preston Choi to be a Playwright

Rebecca Wear, professor of Performance, Play and Design, will direct the student production of "You'll Get Used to It" at UC Santa Cruz on Nov. 3-12, 2023.

Irene Lusztig’s Film Richland Explores a Town Grappling with its Ties to the Atomic Bomb

Irene Lusztig's latest film, Richland, tells the story of the town of the same name. The film opened at Tribeca and at the prestigious International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, it was selected to be part of the program "Signed."

Coral reefs identified as national natural infrastructure

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) approved a resolution on Oct. 26 that designates coral reefs along U.S. states and territories as national infrastructure. This resolution makes it easier to direct federal funding, particularly infrastructure, hazard mitigation, and disaster recovery monies, to reef conservation and restoration to protect people, property, and livelihoods.

Search launches for UC Santa Cruz’s AVC for Planning, Design and Construction

Scientists use Hawaiian fossils to study the past and future of climate change

This month, an international team of researchers returned to shore after a two-month-long ocean expedition exploring fossil coral reefs off the coast of Hawai’i. The fossils provide a record of past climate conditions, so scientists are using them to learn about environmental changes throughout geologic history and make predictions about the future.

Multidisciplinary team will develop advanced rhizosphere carbon imaging for climate change research with support of major DOE grant

A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University are leading a new project in which they aim to use dynamic imaging and modeling of carbon in the rhizosphere to answer longstanding questions about how carbon moves through the soil and plant root interface.

Provost Search: College Nine and John R. Lewis College

The Division of Social Sciences is conducting a search for the next college provost at College Nine and John R. Lewis College. Internal applicants with expertise in leadership, administration, or fundraising, as well as those with a history of college engagement, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Supporting our campus community amid the ongoing Middle East conflict

The days to come will continue to be difficult, and we hope we all can continue to search for common ground, strive for respectful dialogue, and seek support from friends, family, and the campus community.

Open Enrollment 2023 for UC Faculty & Staff Starts Today

Bacteria can enhance host insect’s fertility with implications for disease control

New research led at UC Santa Cruz reveals how the bacteria strain Wolbachia pipientis enhances the fertility of the insects it infects, an insight that could help scientists increase the populations of mosquitoes that do not carry human disease.

Following decades in a harsh coastal climate, blue whale skeleton undergoes 3D scan prior to safety-related descent to the ground

For nearly half a century, Ms. Blue–an 87-foot-long whale skeleton—has welcomed over a million visitors to Long Marine Laboratory and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, spurring interest in marine science. After decades of exposure in harsh coastal conditions, the metal structures supporting Ms. Blue have deteriorated to an unsafe condition.

Deadline Approaching for Innovation Impact Award Nominations

Sara Ruhl’s Eurydice is the perfect play for a college campus

In Sarah Ruhl’s play, Eurydice, coming to the UC Santa Cruz on November 10, the story is about the title character.

Remembering the grave injustices to Japanese-Americans in the 1940s through female activism

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Cowell College’s Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery launched a two-month exhibition entitled “Never Again is Now: Japanese American Women Activists and the Legacy of the Mass Incarceration.” The exhibit — on display through Dec. 2 — features artwork and historical renderings of women’s memories surrounding this time period, including challenges to racial and gender stereotypes, promotions of intergenerational ties, and developed coalitions of years past.

Campus community invited to Día de los Muertos Ceremonia on November 2

Día de los Muertos Ceremonia, a spiritual and cultural celebration that captures the idea of unity between life and death, will take place November 2 in the Quarry Amphitheater.

Working to improve clarity for patients assessing their genetic breast cancer risk

A project to expedite the analysis of variants on the BRCA 1 and 2 genes, the most commonly affected genes in breast cancer cases, will help more people to better understand their cancer risk.

Creative Technologies, new online major in Arts Division, first of its kind on any UC campus

The Arts Division’s new Creative Technologies online major is the first of its kind on any UC campus.

Winter Curtailment 2023-2024

Our 2023-24 winter curtailment will run from Monday, December 25, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024.

Rebates can offer solutions to California’s groundwater woes

Many aquifers in California and around the world are being drained of their groundwater because of the combined impacts of excess pumping, shifts in land use, and climate change. However, a new study by scientists at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, published on Oct.18 in Nature Water, may offer a solution - it describes the development and operation of a novel incentive program that uses water rebates to pay for some of the costs of getting stormwater runoff into the ground. The program is called recharge net metering (ReNeM).

Recognizing outstanding faculty and staff in the Division of Social Sciences

The Social Sciences Division’s annual fall breakfast gathered faculty and staff to celebrate the winners of four major divisional awards.

UC Santa Cruz guides the way in new report on academic continuity

UC Santa Cruz is heralded for its commitment to academic continuity in times of disruption in a new report titled Planning for Academic Continuity by Every Learner Everywhere.

Long-term plan to end use of fossil fuels at UCSC is released

The Decarbonization and Electrification (D&E) Task Force has released a long-term campus plan to end the use of fossil fuel at UC Santa Cruz and move to 100 percent clean and renewable energy sources.

Deer alert - drive cautiously

This time of year drivers and cyclists need to be extra vigilant about deer darting into roadways. It is deer rutting season, when the bucks are in hot pursuit of mates. Deer will often run across roads, appearing to come out of nowhere as the mating season progresses.

Dear Slugs: October Dean of Students Newsletter

With fall quarter now in full swing, Dean of Students Garrett Naiman shares a newsletter to connect students with campus information, resources, and events.

Campus Fire Safety

For more than a decade, UC Santa Cruz has been a smoke-free campus. Under California law, “unlawfully causing a fire that recklessly sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forest land or property is a felony punishable with both imprisonment and fines.”

Slugworks welcomes students across campus to new creative space

Slugworks, a new creatorspace on campus located in the Jack Baskin Engineering building, is open to the campus community.

Campus + Community Center conducting survey about community-engaged scholarship

FUTURE in Biology program receives NSF grant to explore field courses as a tool for equity

A group of researchers at UC Santa Cruz recently received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study the impacts of these field courses and develop best practices for making them more accessible.

UCSC Giving Day ignites philanthropy and community spirit

UC Santa Cruz’s biggest fundraising event, returns on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

Three climate resilience projects supported by 2023 CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub collaborated to fund three projects focused on climate resilience and that align with developing solutions that address some of the California's most pressing climate challenges.

Search launches for UC Santa Cruz’s next director of Athletics & Recreation

UC Santa Cruz is launching a national search for the next director of Athletics & Recreation. The department plays a critical role in enhancing the student experience through athletic activities, and the wellbeing of all members of our community through recreational activities.

Increased bike thefts and keeping your bike safe

With the start of the academic year, UC Santa Cruz is seeing a growing number of bike thefts on campus.

System-wide leaders visit campus to discuss next steps in Agricultural Experiment Station designation

A group from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources visited UC Santa Cruz to discuss implementation for the campus’s official designation as an Agricultural Experiment Station.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates Ombuds Day, Oct. 12

The UC Santa Cruz Office of the Ombuds reopened in January 2023 after a decade-long hiatus, bringing back a vital resource for the campus community. As the academic year unfolds, the campus community has the opportunity to celebrate Ombuds Day.

Cal-Bridge awarded $4 million to diversify STEM

The Cal-Bridge program, which supports students from historically underserved backgrounds in STEM, was recently awarded $4 million in the 2023-2024 California state budget. The funding will provide scholarships, mentorship and professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students around the state in physics and astronomy, computer science, and math.

Statement on Israel-Hamas conflict

We have watched with deep sadness the unfolding violence in Israel and Gaza, and we are gravely concerned at the escalating conflict across the region. Our hearts go out to everyone in harm’s way and all who have been affected.

Prescribed burns near campus beginning Oct. 10

California State Parks has announced that it will be conducting prescribed burns in Wilder Ranch and Año Nuevo State Parks October 10-13 and potentially beyond those dates throughout the month of October.

Invitation to the SAB Virtual Fall Forum on October 18th

The Staff Advisory Board enthusiastically invites you to attend its Fall Forum with Chancellor Cynthia Larive on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023.

Honoring a legacy: Memorial scholarship empowers students making an impact

UCSC iGEM 2023 addressing harmful algal blooms through synthetic biology

A team of UCSC undergraduate students is designing and assembling a plasmid that targets the toxic genes of a type of freshwater bacteria responsible for harmful algal blooms.

From tech to arts, new leaders elected to join UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees

The UC Santa Cruz Foundation has elected six new trustees who are established leaders across a range of industries, from fiber optics and scientific operations to media, arts, and community service.

Nominations open for Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards

Nominations are open for the Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards Program (IIAP) Innovator of the Year category. This program celebrates UC Santa Cruz’s faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners and the transformational work they do.

UC Santa Cruz releases new strategic plan, forms implementation executive committee

Marking the culmination of a year-long campuswide conversation to craft a shared vision for the future, UC Santa Cruz today is launching "Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan" and has formed an executive committee to guide and support its implementation.

Launching our new strategic plan, Leading the Change

We are thrilled to launch Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan, the culmination of a campuswide conversation during the 2022-23 academic year to craft a collective vision for our future.

Biotech founder and hero of the Human Genome Project joins UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as Executive Director

The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute has selected scientist, entrepreneur, and executive Lauren Linton as their new Executive Director.

Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution

A study led by UC Santa Cruz postdoctoral scholar of Genomics & Bioinformatics Erik Enbody paints a dynamic picture of how species adapt to changing environments.

Protect Your Digital Life – Be CyberSafe!

Every October, our campus actively engages in UC Cybersecurity Awareness Month (UCCAM), a nationwide initiative focused on heightening awareness of information security both at work and at home.

Campus-Recognized Sorority and Fraternity Transparency Act - Annual Report

In accordance with AB 524, UC Santa Cruz provides all students access to an annual report about campus-recognized sorority and fraternity greek letter organizations.

Statement by Chancellor Cynthia Larive on the passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

I am deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a towering figure in the history of both our state and nation.

Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report

The 2023 Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report is now available online, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and Higher Education Opportunity Act.

Kresge College celebrates first phase of renovation

Ribbon-cutting event marks the official opening of new residential halls and academic center.

Chancellor’s Update: Celebrating the start of a new academic year!

This fall feels especially energized, as in addition to welcoming new and returning students, we are swinging open the doors to our stunning new Rachel Carson/Oakes College Dining Hall, and unveiling phase one of our Kresge College revitalization and expansion.

US Department of Agriculture visits UC Santa Cruz to learn about research and workforce development projects

UC Santa Cruz faculty, staff, and students shared information about USDA-funded research and education projects on campus with special guests from the USDA.

Anthropology faculty members partner on new National Science Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science

UC Santa Cruz anthropology faculty members Tsim Schneider and Jon Daehnke received a more than $500,000 subaward through a new National Science Foundation (NSF) center that aims to address climate change by equitably combining insights from Indigenous knowledges and mainstream "Western" sciences.

UCSC’s David Deamer and Mark Akeson honored for invention of nanopore sequencing

UCSC's David Deamer and Mark Akeson won the AAAS Golden Goose award for the invention of nanopore sequencing, a transformational technology for reading DNA and RNA.

Research partnership will turn power plant emissions into fish feed

UC Santa Cruz’s ecological aquaculture research team will partner with the company Global Algae Innovations to test whether a microalgae grown using captured carbon dioxide emissions could be an effective feed ingredient for rainbow trout.

New WiFi service for educational and smart devices

Information Technology Services (ITS) is pleased to announce a new campus WiFi service for educational and smart devices.

UC Santa Cruz welcomes new faculty to campus

UC Santa Cruz welcomes 54 new faculty members to campus who bring a wide array of expertise in research and creative scholarship that will open new areas of investigation and expression and expand existing areas of work.

Relocated: Services for Transfer & Re-entry Students (STARS) now in Bay Tree Building

As construction continues on phase two of the Kresge Renewal project, Services for Transfer & Re-entry Students (STARS) recently relocated to the Bay Tree Building in Quarry Plaza.

CITRIS Core Seed Funding Program open for submissions

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute invite proposals for their Core Seed Funding Program.

Downtown Day 2023

UC Santa Cruz students are invited to explore downtown Santa Cruz and discover all the vibrant areas it has to offer on Friday, October 6 from 10:00am - 6:30pm.

Vice Chancellor Akirah Bradley-Armstrong shares a welcome message with all students

As we kick off the 2023-2024 academic year, Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, shares a welcome message with all UC Santa Cruz students.

Alumna Kathryn Sullivan enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame

Kathryn Sullivan (Cowell ’73, Earth sciences) was the first American woman to walk in space, the first woman to reach the deepest point of the ocean floor, and the only person to ever do both. On Sept. 22, she was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Washington, DC.

HSI Leadership team welcomes campus to fall quarter; encourages participation in upcoming signature events

UCSC faculty member co-chaired APA task force on obstacles to promotion, tenure, and retention for psychology faculty of color

Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia co-chaired an American Psychological Association (APA) task force that was appointed to report on obstacles to promotion, tenure, and retention for psychology faculty of color.

Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Alumni Award Recipients

Seven UCSC alumni will be presented with awards for demonstrating outstanding professional achievements, making distinct contributions to society, providing impactful contributions to UC Santa Cruz, and embodying the values and spirit of the university.

Campus air quality

Over the next several days, the air quality in the region is expected to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” overnight and into the morning.

National Postdoc Appreciation Week: Featuring Priya Crosby and Will DeRocco

National Postdoc Appreciation Week, organized by the National Postdoc Association (NPA) since 2009, takes place this year from September 18-22. This year, the UC Santa Cruz Science Division is highlighting the work of two outstanding postdocs: Priya Crosby and Will DeRocco.

Eric Palkovacs is awarded the 2023 Excellence in Fisheries Education Award

Eric Palkovacs has been awarded the 2023 Excellence in Fisheries Education Award by the American Fisheries Society, the organization announced. This award is presented to an individual to recognize excellence in organized teaching and advising in some aspect of fisheries education.

Innovation Catalyst Grants help early-stage innovators with resources, training, and financial support

Two UC Santa Cruz research teams that can make impactful advancements in drug discovery and human health outcomes have been chosen as recipients of the university’s inaugural Innovation Catalyst Grants program. These new grants, administered by the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, are designed to support and propel early-stage technology innovations developed by UCSC researchers.

Fund your student research project or event with the 2023 CITRIS Tech for Social Good program

The Tech for Social Good program provides up to $5,000 in funding for research projects and up to $1,000 for events.

Notice of Open Comment – Policy on Vaccination Programs

On August 16, 2023, the University issued its Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions. The interim revisions moved the University’s COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. The University’s seasonal influenza vaccination program remains an opt-out program.

CITL and Online Education are now the Teaching and Learning Center

UC Santa Cruz Computer Game Design program ranked top five in the nation by U.S. News and World Report

The Computer Game Design program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was listed in the top five best game/simulation development programs in the nation according to rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report.

Campus plan for transportation, parking, and traffic impacts during move-in

UC Santa Cruz is preparing to welcome more than 9,000 residential students during this year’s Move-In event, taking place starting Thursday, September 21, and concluding Wednesday, September 27.

Arivu, the massively popular and groundbreaking Indian rapper, will play an intimate outdoor show at UCSC’s Quarry Amphitheater, presented by the Center For South Asian Studies

Arivu, the Indian rapper, singer, and social activist whose image appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone India magazine, is playing a highly anticipated free concert at the Quarry Amphitheater at UCSC at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 7.

The opportunity to transform futures

With the generous support of donors, UCSC’s Institute for Social Transformation funded 12 students to pursue internships over the summer through the Transforming Futures program.

PG&E, UC Santa Cruz meet to proactively, collaboratively plan for electrical needs

To proactively and collaboratively plan for the future, leaders with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and UC Santa Cruz met to discuss efforts to advance sustainability, increase service reliability, and prepare for increased campus electrical power demand.

Valère Lambert is the 2023 Keiiti Aki Early Career Award Recipient

Valère Lambert was announced as AGU’s 2023 Keiiti Aki Early Career Award recipient. The Aki Award is among the highest honors made to an early career seismologist.

2023 ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students in the sciences and engineering

Sixteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $175,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year.

New long-term NIH grant supports breast cancer research

Cancers are easier to treat if caught early on in their development. Once the cancer cells metastasize and spread around the body, the disease becomes more difficult to target. Shaheen Sikandar, an assistant professor of MCD Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was recently awarded up to seven years of funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), to study the process of metastasis in breast cancer.

Student mural at Porter envisions a future without police

A mural by Irene Juarez-O’Connell, addressing community safety and policing, is now on display at the Porter Study Center at Porter College.

Alumnus Kevin Lunzalu wins major award for his work in plastics pollution reduction around the world

UCSC alumnus Kevin Lunzalu received an award from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This award is one of just 23 awarded to individuals and nonprofits across the globe from the first-ever inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Program.

Empowering dreams

Alumna Birong Hu’s generous gift to Girls in Engineering paves the way for a new era of engineers, unlocking boundless opportunities and transforming futures.

Novel device combines nanopores with electronic signals for disease detection

Research led by UC Santa Cruz Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Marco Rolandi shows the power of bioprotonic nanopores for disease detection.

UCSC welcomes new Title IX director

Julie Lewis has been named UC Santa Cruz’s new Title IX director. She started her role on August 21, 2023.

Fall course materials needed

The Bay Tree Campus Store is calling all faculty members to submit their course adoptions for the fall quarter as soon as possible to guarantee textbook availability at the best price for UCSC students.

Notice of policy action – Policy on Vaccination Programs

The Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions was updated with interim revisions effective August 16, 2023. A systemwide review of this policy will take place in Fall 2023, with an expected issuance/effective date in early 2024.

Campus leaders showcase innovation, entrepreneurship efforts to special Regents committee

UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive and other campus leaders showcased the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives to a group of UC regents and external advisors on Monday.

In Memoriam: Linda Burman-Hall (1947-2023)

The UC Santa Cruz Arts Division community was deeply saddened to hear that Professor Emerita Linda Burman-Hall, recently passed away very suddenly while travelling in Malaysia. She joined the UC Santa Cruz Music Department as a Lecturer in 1976, and has been a vital part of the community for the past 47 years.

New blood test for noncoding RNA significantly improves cancer detection

Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Daniel Kim and his lab are developing more accurate and powerful liquid biopsy technologies that take advantage of signals from RNA “dark matter,” an understudied area of the genome.

Five UC Santa Cruz projects win California Climate Action Grant funding

Millions of dollars in new funding will support UC Santa Cruz and partners in tackling some of California's toughest climate change challenges through innovative research and community engagement.

Seismologists use deep learning to forecast earthquakes

A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the Technical University of Munich created a new model that uses deep learning to forecast aftershocks.

Coastal fisheries show surprising resilience to marine heatwaves

Researchers found that fish biomass often increased or was unaffected in the year following a marine heatwave.

Scientists release the first complete sequence of a human Y chromosome

Scientists have completed the first full sequence of a human Y chromosome, completing the set of end-to-end human chromosomes and helping researchers to better understand human reproduction, evolution, and population change.

UCSC alumnus drafted to Major League Rugby

UCSC alumnus Jackson Zabierek was the 18th pick in the 2023 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft by the Los Angeles Team (formerly Atlanta).

Koerner Family Foundation provides funds for five UCSC graduate students

Five UC Santa Cruz doctoral candidates in Baskin Engineering were awarded a fellowship that covered nearly one-third of their tuition and fees in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Welcome PBSci Dean Bryan Gaensler

I am excited to welcome Bryan Gaensler to UC Santa Cruz as our new Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences. His first day was August 15.

Staff Advisory Board is pleased to announce the Staff Scholarship Program

The Staff Advisory Board is excited to announce a new opportunity to help our staff participate in professional development. Using funds raised during Giving Day from generous UCSC community members, we are launching the UCSC Staff Advisory Board Scholarship Award Program.

Campus acts to protect rare cave habitat

Earlier this month, as part of a new approach to protect this unique habitat, a crew from the campus carpentry shop installed a wildlife-friendly gate across the Empire Cave entrance. Access is now limited to education, research, and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.

Alumni gather in the redwoods

Over the course of three days, hundreds of alumni returned to UC Santa Cruz for a weekend of events and celebrations.

Undergraduate research funding available through Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

LAEP is a form of work-study that funds 100% of eligible student wages for on-campus, research-focused employment.

DSAS invites campus community to volunteer for new student move-in

Over 250 volunteers are needed to help welcome new students to campus!

Nearly $1 million in USDA grants will support 3 UCSC-led agricultural technology projects

Three UC Santa Cruz research teams led by engineering faculty will pursue innovative agriculture technology projects with the support of seed grants from the USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

UCSC computer science student selected into Major League Hacking’s top 50 list

Rising second-year computer science student Marina Lee was chosen out of a community of 150,000 hackers for her outstanding work in developing accessible STEM education programming and building an inclusive hacking community.

Marine scientists explore the future of open data science

Alexa Fredston, an assistant professor of ocean sciences considers open science to be a vital part of their academic career and a key way to make the field of marine science more transparent and inclusive. They recently published an article in the journal Annual Review of Marine Science about improving open data science practices within marine science.

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences presents West Coast Premiere of Maria Gaspar: Compositions

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences, is opening a new exhibition beginning on September 26, 2023 that goes through March 3, 2024. Entitled Maria Gaspar: Compositions, it is the first West Coast solo exhibition by the Chicago-based, Guggenheim-winning artist.

Researchers’ tool finds bias in state-of-the-art generative AI model

UCSC researchers introduce a new tool to measure bias in text-to-image AI generation models, which they have used to quantify bias in the state-of-the-art model Stable Diffusion.

In Memoriam: Brandon Salman-Tehrani

Brandon Salman-Tehrani passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023. He was a rare soul on this earth.

UC Santa Cruz welcomes vibrant and talented incoming class

The University of California, Santa Cruz is preparing to welcome more than 5,500 new Banana Slugs to campus this fall, reflecting its commitment to providing equitable access and a transformational experience.

A childhood cancer survivor becomes a cancer researcher

This summer, 15-year-old Robert McCabe helped to sequence and analyze a tumor sample in the lab of the UC Santa Cruz Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative.

Alumnus goes to great depths to sustain the study of oceans

After earning his Ph.D. at UC Santa Cruz, James Hein became world-renowned for his deep-ocean research. He has left an indelible mark in his field and is now leaving a legacy in Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC by establishing an endowment that will help prepare the next generation of geoscience oceanographers.

Student-supported global research compares regional relationships with Big Pharma

Recent UC Santa Cruz graduates helped to author a study on the strategies governments use to attract and manage the biopharmaceutical industry, focusing in particular on the different types of economic value and health value that these efforts provide, or fail to provide, to citizens.

UCSC students behind bus tracking app selected as only U.S. team in Google Solution Challenge’s top 10

The competition, which invites thousands of students worldwide to compete, tasks students to come up with technical solutions that contribute to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development goals.

Golden-crowned sparrows return to overwintering sites in part because of their friends

Golden-crowned sparrows return to the same wintering sites each year after migrating thousands of miles. But their precision — which is often within the tens of meters — depends in part on the return of their friends.

Engineering faculty take on innovative climate resilience projects

Engineering professors are leading three major projects to address climate crisis issues with funding from UCSC’s newly launched Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.

Latin American & Latino Studies students win big in awards, fellowships

Four doctoral candidates in the Latin American and Latino Studies Department received awards that will help propel them forward in their graduate trajectory.

In Memoriam: May N. Diaz

Anthropologist May N. Diaz, the second Provost of Kresge College, died at the age of 102. In her long career, she was a mentor to many graduate students and junior faculty and an acclaimed scholar, who shaped the fields of peasant anthropology and women’s studies.

First DNA analysis of Machu Picchu residents offers insight into Inca society

DNA analysis, conducted largely at UC Santa Cruz's Paleogenomics Lab and led by Anthropology Professor Lars Fehren-Schmitz, suggests that servants at Machu Picchu were a uniquely diverse group, and the geographic extent of ancestral origins may even challenge historical narratives about how and when the Inca Empire expanded.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant will expand pediatric cancer research at UCSC

A new $100,000 grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation will provide UC Santa Cruz’s Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative funding to expand efforts to study rare pediatric cancers.

Excellence in Teaching Awards announced

The Academic Senate’s Committee on Teaching in collaboration with Chancellor Larive and CP/EVC Kletzer celebrated UC Santa Cruz’s innovative and dedicated teachers with a gathering at the Cowell Provost House in early June.

Search for Director of Audit and Management Advisory Services

UC Santa Cruz is launching a national search for the director of Audit and Management Advisory Services. Internal audit provides a critical assessment, monitoring and consultative role in assisting the chancellor and senior leaders in their oversight, management and operating responsibilities.

The Division of Finance, Operations and Administration realigns teams to improve services to campus

Finance, Operations and Administration (FOA) has reorganized several departments within the division in order to better align services with campus needs.

Mitigating potential UPS strike impacts

To mitigate potential disruptions in receiving vital goods, UCSC departments should consider exploring alternative delivery services or postponing purchases if UPS remains the sole supplier option.

Celebrating the success of a human-centered approach to supporting emerging scientists

Graduate school admissions, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship awards, and American Astronomical Society honors mark a banner year for UCSC's Lamat Institute.

Return to the Redwoods: Come back to where it all began

Take a look at the upcoming first-of-its-kind alumni celebration at UC Santa Cruz: Return to the Redwoods.

New data science project seeks to span disciplines and create community

Pedro Morales-Almazan leads a new data science project that will provide professional development and facilitate cross-discipline collaborations.

To support Hispanic women in STEM, UC Santa Cruz hosts inaugural HSRU Alliance conference

Convened by the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, an inaugural cohort from universities, government, foundations, and industry met at UC Santa Cruz to discuss and develop a framework to support the advancement of Hispanic women in their academic and professional STEM careers.

Announcing new AVC for Staff Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer

Kamala Green will be joining Staff Human Resources (SHR) as our next Associate Vice Chancellor for Staff Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer effective July 17.

Announcing Associate Campus Provost for Academic Success

Jody Greene, Professor of Literature, and Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning in Academic Affairs, will join the Campus Provost's office as Associate Campus Provost for Academic Success, starting July 1, 2023.

Volunteer who helped keep the Seymour Center open is honored

Dale Bieser, one of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center's long-time volunteers, was recognized with the Be the Difference Award - Individual Honoree by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. Over the past 12 years, she has become a vital member of their team.

New Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research: Csilla Csaplar

Csilla Csaplar joined UC Santa Cruz on July 6 as the new Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research. Csilla joins UCSC from Stanford University, where she has served as Director of Engineering Research Administration in the School of Engineering for the past six years. At Stanford, Csilla was responsible for all the sponsored research activity for nine School of Engineering departments, approximately 275 faculty, 1,000 awards, and $150 million annually.

UCSC Earth and planetary sciences professor reflects on 35 years at UC Santa Cruz

After a very rewarding career at UC Santa Cruz, Susan Schwartz is retiring.

UC Santa Cruz’s global impact grows as campus becomes next leader of Right Livelihood College network

As the Global Secretariat of the Right Livelihood College, UC Santa Cruz students and faculty to work directly with some of the world’s leading advocates in social justice and sustainability on education, scientific research, and practical activities that spread and upscale their work.

Statement on Supreme Court decision on Biden’s student loan forgiveness

Today’s Supreme Court ruling rejecting President Biden’s plan to forgive more than $400 billion in student loan debt is deeply disappointing to the 26 million borrowers who stood to benefit — thousands of Banana Slug alumni certainly among them.

Statement on Supreme Court decision on equal rights

We are dismayed to see the U.S. Supreme Court chipping away at the legal protections and freedoms of same-sex couples and people in additional protected classes.

Study shows significant decline of snow cover in the Northern hemisphere over the last half century

Professor and Statistics Department Chair Robert Lund collaborated on a new study that uses rigorous mathematical models and statistical methods and finds declining snow cover in many parts of the northern hemisphere over the last half century.

Statement on Supreme Court decision regarding college admissions

Taken together with other federal and state actions across the country, today’s decision is not simply about admissions, but the latest attempt to dismantle evidence-based efforts aimed at reducing systemic barriers to opportunity experienced by historically marginalized populations, including communities of color.

UC Santa Cruz models accessible and inclusive admissions

The University of California, Santa Cruz has long employed holistic methods to recruit, evaluate, and support applicants through the decision making process, aiming to enroll a student body that reflects the diverse population of California to prepare alumni to become global citizens.

UCSC’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience awards over $4.6 million to support California coastal projects

The UCSC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience has awarded over $4.6 million in funding to 23 UC Santa Cruz research groups for pilot projects and implementation projects supporting efforts to fight climate change in coastal communities across California and beyond. Funds for these grant programs came from the California State Budget Act of 2022-23.

Q&A with John MacMillan, vice chancellor for research

After nearly two years as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) for UC Santa Cruz, John MacMillan was appointed to the permanent VCR role on June 1, 2023, after a nationwide search. Here he discusses his vision for UC Santa Cruz and its research enterprise.

White House cites economist Rob Fairlie’s research on Native American entrepreneurship

The Biden-⁠Harris Administration cited research by UC Santa Cruz Economics Professor Rob Fairlie on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact for Native American-owned businesses.

Chemist Timothy Johnstone wins funding from Beckman Young Investigator Program

The award funds a project to explore new chemical bonding motifs with novel reactivity to help develop sustainable chemical processes.

UCSC Arboretum to conduct vegetation surveys under $2.6M state contract

A team of UCSC botanists will carry out surveys for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in support of a statewide vegetation classification and mapping program.

UC Santa Cruz receives $10 million grant to cultivate diverse food and agriculture professionals

The United States Department of Agriculture awarded the University of California, Santa Cruz a $10 million grant to lead a transformative five-year project. The funding will be leveraged to serve and uplift a broad range of students and community members, ensuring a lasting impact on the food and agriculture sector.

Recognizing excellence in Humanities award ceremonies

This month, UC Santa Cruz’s Humanities Division once again marked the end of the school year with the Spring Awards and Graduate Student Awards, in ceremonies that celebrated the achievements of students, instructors, and alumni.

Paul Koch stepping down after 12 years as dean of physical and biological sciences

The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences has made exceptional strides in key areas under Dean Koch’s leadership.

Katia Obraczka appointed director of CITRIS at UC Santa Cruz

Katia Obraczka, professor of Computer Science and Engineering, has been appointed director of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz

Foodways benefit dinner advances food security at UC Santa Cruz

Alumni, donors, and friends of UC Santa Cruz gathered at the Hay Barn on June 2 to raise funds for Basic Needs programs at the university.

Interdisciplinary team wins Small Farm prize in first-ever Farm Robotics Challenge

An interdisciplinary team of students and researchers created an autonomous weeder which was recently recognized with the Small Farm prize at the inaugural Farm Robotics Challenge.

Campus update: Quarter ends today, congrats to new graduates, still time to enroll in Summer Session

Today marks the final day of spring quarter and the start of commencement!

Novel deep learning-based software detects and tracks individual cells with high precision

Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Ali Shariati and doctoral student Abolfazl Zarageri together with several student researchers in the Shariati lab have developed and released a new deep learning model called “DeepSea,” one of the only tools with the ability to segment cells, track them and detect their division to follow lineages of cells.

Employees invited to volunteer for Watsonville July 4 Parade

UC Santa Cruz hopes to widen community awareness of the university through its participation in this year’s 4th of July Parade in downtown Watsonville. Historically, upwards of 15,000 people line Main Street to cheer on various local and regional organizations.

Submissions open for 2023-24 CITRIS UCSC Interdisciplinary Innovation Program

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz invites all UCSC principal investigators to apply for project support through the UCSC Interdisciplinary Innovation Program (or I2P - formerly the Campus Seed Funding program).

Important information about the California Whistleblower Protection Act

The University’s Whistleblower Policy provides multiple avenues for employees to bring forward concerns of potential employee misconduct.

UC Santa Cruz joins Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative

The initiative provides campus leadership with a comprehensive program to foster a campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity free of antisemitism, harassment, or marginalization.

UCSC team wins third place in first-ever Amazon SimBot challenge

A team of UC Santa Cruz computer science and engineering (CSE) Ph.D. students won third place in the first-ever Amazon Alexa Prize SimBot Challenge, a university competition focused on advancing virtual assistant technology.

Astronomers observe giant tails of helium escaping Jupiter-like planet

Heat from the host star is evaporating the atmosphere from a “hot Jupiter” exoplanet, creating some of the longest gas tails ever observed around a planet.

New exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences bring innovative, socially engaged art to the Central Coast

Carolina Caycedo and David de Rozas: The Blessings of the Mystery and Sadie Barnette: Family Business, a multi-sited exhibition with the San José Museum of Art, will be on view at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences April 28 - September 3, 2023.

Nominations for UC Santa Cruz's Outstanding Staff Award

Please help us honor UC Santa Cruz's outstanding staff and make your nomination for the Outstanding Staff Award today.

Annual awards recognize outstanding students in the Social Sciences Division

The Division of Social Sciences’ annual Student Awards Luncheon was held on June 2 at College Nine’s Namaste Lounge.

Eligibility criteria for policy-covered staff - general salary increase for 2023-24

As previously announced by the Chancellor on April 26, 2023, the Office of the President has announced a 4.6% salary increase in the 2023-24 fiscal year for all eligible policy-covered staff.

UC Santa Cruz announces recipients of Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards

The Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards celebrate the university’s talented faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners for their outstanding contributions to innovation and creativity.

UC Santa Cruz now offers graduate degrees in materials science and engineering

The interdisciplinary program will serve students interested in developing new materials for next-generation technologies.

Study identifies boat strikes as a growing cause of manatee deaths in Belize

Belize is a stronghold of the Antillean manatee population, but increasing boat traffic poses a growing threat to this endangered relative of the Florida manatee

Astronomers map temperatures and find traces of water in a super-hot gas giant’s atmosphere

Astronomers used the Webb Telescope to make a temperature map of the “hot Jupiter” exoplanet WASP-18b, revealing dramatic temperature gradients in its atmosphere.

Judit Moschkovich joins two national leadership programs for mathematics education

Moschkovich is now a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction and a co chair of the National Academy of Education's Equity in Math Education Research Grants (EMERG) Program.

Crucial organic farming issue addressed by UC workshops, collaborations

UC Santa Cruz-based organic production specialist Joji Muramoto collaborated on a UC Cooperative Extension workshop series for organic vegetable and fruit growers on how to manage nitrogen.

Associate Teaching Professor Alegra Eroy-Reveles receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Alegra Eroy-Reveles, an associate teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was honored for the positive impact she has had on her students, colleagues, and department.

Announcing our new Vice Chancellor for Research

John MacMillan, who has served as interim Vice Chancellor for Research since July 2021, has accepted our offer to serve in the position on a permanent basis.

In Memoriam: Gerald E. (Jerry) Weber

A career of service

After 16 years on campus, Dan Tokar will retire on June 30. His current position is Unit Manager, running the entire Porter/Kresge Dining Hall operations.

UC Santa Cruz engineers join major transportation cybersecurity project

Researchers from UC Santa Cruz will play an important role in protecting the United States’ transportation systems against cybersecurity threats as part of a new national center

Sign up to participate in the Santa Cruz Pride Parade on June 4

Members of the UC Santa Cruz community are invited to join in this year's Santa Cruz Pride parade, which starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.

Huerta Center naming inspires full-circle gift

The naming of the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas hits close to home for a UCSC staff member with a family connection

Karen Miga named 2023 Searle Scholar to study uncharted regions of the human genome

Karen Miga, assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2023 Searle Scholar.

Study reveals key molecular interaction that sets the timing of our biological clocks

New findings point toward a promising target for the development of therapies for sleep disorders, jet lag, and other effects of clock disruption.

Campus update: Quarter winding down, commencement plans in place, enroll in Summer Session now

The next few weeks are among the busiest of the academic year. Instruction ends June 9, followed by finals, commencement, and then it’s on to summer!

Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other animals

New research proves comb jellies are a unique lineage or “sibling group” whose ancestors diverged before the common ancestor of all other animals.

Salmon documentary produced by UCSC team to air on KQED

‘Southern Range’ was directed by Soc Doc alumnus Kyle Baker and produced by the Seymour Center and the Fisheries Collaborative Program at UCSC.

UCSC ranked number two on Wall Street Journal list for top public colleges for high-paying jobs in engineering

New rankings from the Wall Street Journal place UC Santa Cruz as the number two public school for high-paying jobs in engineering, just behind UC Berkeley, and the number nine public school for high-paying jobs in data science and software.

Excellence in Action: Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award Recipients

Now in its seventh year, the Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award welcomes its 2023 cohort.

Summer programs draw visitors to Lick Observatory for music and stargazing

The Summer Series program at UC's Lick Observatory draws concert fans and astronomy devotees to the summit of Mt. Hamilton for live music, evening astronomy lectures from world-renowned scientists, and the opportunity to view celestial objects through historic telescopes.

Meeting with California lawmakers, UC Santa Cruz leaders highlight impact of teaching, research

UC Santa Cruz leaders met last week with California lawmakers to highlight the University of California's critical role in educating the state's students, conducting cutting-edge research, and ensuring the state remains a worldwide economic powerhouse.

New director of Labor & Employee Relations

We are pleased to announce that Andrew Slobodien will be joining Staff Human Resources (SHR) as our next Director of Employee and Labor Relations.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor talk will address the history of African American studies

On Wednesday, May 24 at 7:30pm, engaging education (e2) is honored to bring Professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to UCSC. The event will be held at Classroom Unit 2.

Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni

The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences is honoring three stellar alumni—atmospheric scientist Cora E. Randall, pediatrician Ramon Resa, and marine scientist Colleen Reichmuth—with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Mark Fathi Massoud awarded Berlin Prize

Massoud's Berlin Prize fellowship will allow him to focus on research about perceptions and experiences of shari‘a in the United States.

Astronomers observe the first radiation belt seen outside of our solar system

High-resolution imaging of radio emissions from an ultracool dwarf show a double-lobed structure like the radiation belts of Jupiter.

May 25—SAB’s Spring Chancellor Forum

The Staff Advisory Board continues to support staff by amplifying your voices to campus leadership. Our upcoming spring forum will be with Chancellor Cindy Larive.

Vote Now in 2023 Campus Elections

Students are invited to cast their votes on important campus initiatives such SUA constitutional amendments, student fee measures, opinion polls, and officer elections for undergraduate and graduate student government.

UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 2 Best Public University for Making an Impact by Princeton Review

For the second year in a row, UC Santa Cruz has been ranked as the No. 2 Best Public University for Making an Impact by Princeton Review.

Dickson Emeriti Professorships awarded to faculty in music, theater arts, and biology

Three UCSC faculty members—Kathy Foley, Edward Houghton, and Susan Strome—have been honored with Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professorship Awards for the 2023–24 academic year.

Human pangenome reference will enable more complete and equitable understanding of genomic diversity

UC Santa Cruz scientists, along with a consortium of researchers, have released a draft of the first human pangenome—a new, usable reference for genomics that combines the genetic information of 47 individuals from different ancestral backgrounds to allow for a deeper, more accurate understanding of worldwide genomic diversity.

Campus researchers make history with release of first human pangenome

We are extremely proud to share the news that UC Santa Cruz scientists played a critical role in an enormous scientific achievement that boosts our understanding of human biology and genomic diversity, and will ultimately help diagnose disease and guide treatments for people worldwide.

UCSC part of regional partnership bringing bike share to Santa Cruz County

UC Santa Cruz community members will soon have access to a new bike share system that stretches across the county. Starting this June, e-Bikes will be available to rent through the Regional Electric Bike Share Program.

UC Santa Cruz honored for innovative online Orientation Course

UC Santa Cruz’s online summer Orientation Course has been recognized for its innovative and inclusive approach to preparing entering students. The Orientation Course was awarded the 2023 Regional II Innovative Program Award from the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education.

UC Santa Cruz to lead data collection center for major federal project on genetic underpinnings of neurological conditions

The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute will run the Data Coordination Center for the Scalable and Systematic Neurobiology of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk Genes (SSPsyGene) Consortium.

Campus Elections are next week; stay up-to-date on on essential info and deadlines

Campus Elections begin Monday, May 15. Learn more about voting and important deadlines.

Strategic Plan Update: Feedback requested by June 30

We are pleased to announce a critical milestone in our campus community’s work on Leading the Change: the UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.

Statement from Chancellor Larive on antisemitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ incidents

These acts are abhorrent and antithetical to our values and commitment to access to higher education.

Changes in Back-up Care Tax implications 

Effective, May 12, 2023, employees or students who use the Back-up Care Program will be required to pay taxes on the imputed or miscellaneous income corresponding to the hours of care used. 

Full support of staff participating in staff organizations

Every member of the UC Santa Cruz community has a role in fostering and sustaining a safe, caring and welcoming campus environment.

Center for Agroecology will support new USDA Regional Food Business Center

The University of California, Santa Cruz will support the establishment of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Food Business Center to support resilient food systems.

Ed Green named QB3-Santa Cruz Scientific Director

Richard (Ed) Green, professor of biomolecular engineering, has been selected to serve as the next director of the California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) at UC Santa Cruz.

Geoscientist Emily Brodsky elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Emily Brodsky, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Deep neural network provides robust detection of disease biomarkers in real time

Holger Schmidt's lab has developed a deep neural network that improves the accuracy of their unique devices for detecting pathogen biomarkers.

Second Decarbonization & Electrification Town Hall Meeting

Join us next week for the Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force's second town hall gathering.

Announcing appointment of UCSC Chief of Police

Kevin Domby has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Public Safety and UC Santa Cruz Chief of Police. Monday was Chief Domby’s first day.

Meet UCSC’s new Chief of Police Kevin Domby

UC Santa Cruz’s newly appointed Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Kevin Domby credits his high school art teacher with introducing him to the idea of a career in public service. "Throughout my career, whether it was when I was a teacher or as a peace officer, I've enjoyed mentoring, training and teaching," Domby said.

UC Santa Cruz and United Way invest in youth perspective in researching mental health throughout local communities

Beginning in early 2021, UC Santa Cruz partnered with the United Way of Santa Cruz County’s Youth Action Network, seeking to support youth empowerment and leadership. As part of that vital work, the partners were recognized as the United Way Partner of the Year.

Fentanyl Awareness Day is May 9

Tuesday, May 9 marks the second annual national Fentanyl Awareness Day. Free fentanyl testing strips are available for students. Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is also available for students, staff and faculty on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

UCSC environmental governance expert named to NASEM committee addressing methane gas emissions

Environmental Studies Professor Sikina Jinnah has been appointed as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee for Atmospheric Methane Removal to assess viable technological options for reducing a powerful greenhouse gas.

Rejecting hate on our campus

We unequivocally condemn these – and all – antisemitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ actions.

Genome of famed sled dog Balto reveals genetic adaptations of working dogs

Still a good boy nearly 100 years after historic sled run, Balto has now helped scientists explore the genetics of working dogs and demonstrate the power of comparative genomics.

As the California sea lion population got bigger, so did male sea lions

Unlike other marine mammals, male California sea lions have gotten bigger over the past 50 years as their population has grown.

Announcing the SAB Election Results

The Staff Advisory Board is excited to admit seven campus staff to the Staff Advisory Board.

UCSC Chemical Screening Center symposium features drug discovery talks

The center will hold a Grand Reopening Celebration and Research Symposium on Friday, May 5, marking a major upgrade with new state-of-the-art equipment.

Anticipated salary increase policy-covered staff, academic appointees

We are pleased to share the news from the UC Office of the President that for the second year in a row, all eligible policy-covered staff employees, senate faculty and policy-covered academic appointees will receive a salary increase, pending approval of the state budget.

Visits set for Vice Chancellor for Research finalists

Beginning May 1 and continuing through May 11, the UC Santa Cruz community will have the opportunity to meet, hear from, and ask questions of the finalists for Vice Chancellor for Research.

Summer Session is launching Pay for Only 10

UCSC Summer Session is launching Pay for Only 10, in which payment is capped at 10 credits in tuition—making summer degree progress less expensive .

New annual testing program to verify our water quality

In an effort to promote openness related to our drinking water and provide assurance that it continues to meet or exceed state and federal quality standards, I am pleased to share that we will begin a new annual testing program.

Peter Bratt announced as 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

Rockefeller Fellow, Peabody Award winner, Emmy-nominated film producer, writer, director, community organizer, and social justice activist Peter Bratt is UC Santa Cruz’s 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

Electrical engineer wins award to support improvement of efficient, low-cost agricultural soil sensor systems

UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Colleen Josephson is a recipient of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s (FFAR) 2022 New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award.

From the ground up: UCSC Men's Rugby finishes historic season

Jeremy Sanford, Patrick Halpin, Guido Bordignon, Simon Nicholls, and Marcus Viscardi are the forces behind one of UCSC's most historic and competitive sports teams on campus: Rugby. UCSC Men’s Rugby finishes their inaugural season in D1A.

New stable isotope map of Angola helps archaeologists trace individual life histories across the African Diaspora

UCSC researchers' methods could provide significantly more detail and certainty in identifying first-generation enslaved individuals in the Americas and tracing back their origins within Africa than was previously possible through strontium isotope analysis work or genetic analysis.

Elephant seals drift off to sleep while diving far below the ocean surface

Brainwave patterns show elephant seals take short naps while holding their breath on deep dives, averaging just 2 hours of sleep per day while at sea.

Biologist Beth Shapiro elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Beth Shapiro, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Indirect cost recovery changes for fiscal year 2024

Attention Principal Investigators: UC Santa Cruz recently updated its federal Facilities and Administration (F&A) agreement approving indirect cost recovery rates for sponsored contracts and grants.

Two film and digital media faculty receive 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship Awards

Sharon Daniel and Anna Friz were among 171 artists, scholars, scientists and writers selected from nearly 2,500 applicants for the award.

Director of Athletics and Recreation Susan Harriman stepping down

Director of Athletics and Recreation Susan Harriman will be stepping down effective May 5th, 2023.

No lead detected in water samples

We're happy to report that this sensitive and accurate testing of our water samples did not detect any lead. The tests conducted were extremely rigorous.

Banana Slugs seek to advance conversational AI in all three Amazon Alexa Prize challenges

Three teams of UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering students are developing next-generation, multimodal AI-powered systems for a chance to win $500,000 or more per challenge.

In Memoriam: Margaret I. Fitzsimmons

Annual climate change event takes aim at heat and human health for 2023

The ninth annual Confronting Climate Change event gathered top scholars to discuss the health impacts of climate change and the social and economic transformations needed to address them.

Ensuring our water quality

We take seriously the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, and want to do all we can to ensure our water quality continues to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements. We will provide updates as we learn more.

Rebecca London testifies in support of bill that would guarantee recess for California students

Associate Professor of Sociology Rebecca London testified before the California State Senate Education Committee on April 12 in support of SB 291, which would guarantee at least 30 minutes of recess per day for California students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Study pushes back the emergence of African grasslands by more than 10 million years

An international team of scientists has documented the earliest evidence for local abundance in eastern Africa of the types of grasses that now dominate grassland and savannah ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Campus Update: Celebrating Earth Day, thanks for Spring Give supporters, astrophysicist on ‘60 Minutes’

Our campus has long championed environmental justice and sustainability, and continues to teach and train some of the nation's top environmental professionals and practitioners.

Naming system for transfer RNA fragments will increase research productivity, standardization

UC Santa Cruz Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Todd Lowe and his group created a new naming scheme for tRNA fragments aimed at standardizing research.

Undergrad Samantha Contreras wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Samantha Contreras, a junior majoring in physics at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Final Report of the Implementation Task Force for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education (the ITF)

It is my pleasure to transmit the final report of the Implementation Task Force for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education (the ITF).

Faculty and staff course material open house

The process for faculty to post their reading and resource lists has been streamlined. Akademos representatives will be on campus this Thursday, April 13, to answer your questions.

Colombian all-female team uncovers naturalist Elizabeth Kerr’s long-forgotten legacy

Many fields of study have long been dominated by men but a team of eight female Colombian researchers are committed to uncovering the story of naturalist pioneer Elizabeth Kerr, whose legacy had remained invisible despite her vast contributions to ornithology.

Banana Slug Day parking restrictions

Banana Slug Day is on Saturday, April 15, a day that also coincides with our Alumni Reunion Weekend and a few other events. As you can imagine, campus parking and facilities will be heavily impacted.

Decarbonization & Electrification Town Hall Meeting

On May 9th, the Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force will host their second town hall gathering. Task force members will talk about their work to date and collect comments and suggestions to ensure we reach our community climate goals.

Fireworks not allowed on campus, pose significant fire risk

On Saturday evening, an unknown person set off a firework in a grassy area near the West Remote Parking Lot.

Two major stem cell research projects supported with more than $2.6 million in funding

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will provide more than $2.6 million in total funding for two major stem cell research projects led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz, the organization announced.

Food system researcher Julie Guthman wins distinguished career award

Professor of sociology and community studies Julie Guthman was recognized with the Distinguished Career Award by the Cultural and Political Ecology speciality group of the American Association of Geographers. 

White House cites Rob Fairlie’s research in annual economic report

Economics Professor Rob Fairlie’s research on race and ethnicity in higher education was cited in the 2023 Economic Report of the President.

Milestone land acknowledgement event brings campus, local tribe and community members together

On Wednesday, April 12, the campus will host its first Land Acknowledgment event, recognizing the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and its place in the local history of the land and the creation of UC Santa Cruz. The event will aim to answer the community’s questions about land acknowledgments, and the importance of such events moving forward.

April in Santa Cruz Music Festival goes beyond the norm

This year's April in Santa Cruz Contemporary Music Festival takes up forces of dedication and imagination featuring wide-ranging musicians. The festival opens on Thursday, April 13, 2023 and continues with performances on April 14, 17, 21 in the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall, and closes on April 30th at The Lab in San Francisco. All live, in-person performances are free and open to the public.

Big Questions: Astronomer Father and Artist Daughter

An astrophysicist, musician, mentor, and inspiration, Bill Mathews died in September 2021. His daughter, Amey Mathews, began drawing portraits of him in his memory.

NASA’s search for life in the cosmos is focus of April 17 lecture and discussion

‘Whispers from Other Worlds,’ a public lecture and discussion at the Rio Theater, features NASA’s Thomas Zurbuchen and science journalist Nadia Drake.

Ocean scientist Kenneth Bruland recognized for pioneering research paper

The 2023 John H. Martin Award from the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography celebrates an influential 1998 paper on the role of iron in coastal ecosystems.

Grad student Huazhi Ge wins postdoctoral fellowship for planetary science research

Huazhi Ge, a doctoral candidate in planetary science at UC Santa Cruz, has won a prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation to support his postdoctoral research.

New program advises UCSC Ph.D. students on their path to entrepreneurship and venture capital

Many student-led innovations never make it out of the lab. A new program at UC Santa Cruz aims to change that by mentoring Ph.D. students in the life sciences on alternative career pathways outside academia: entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Staff Appreciation Picnic Save the Date and Tabling Information

Please save the date for our annual Staff Appreciation Picnic.

Community health guidance for returning from spring break

This message from Student Health Services shares guidance to help our campus community mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Community health guidance for returning from spring break

As you prepare to return to campus and begin spring quarter, we write to share community health guidance as related to COVID-19.

New partner for Employee Assistance Program

Starting Saturday, April 1, ComPsych will be our new partner for delivering services and support for our Employee Assistance Program.

Spring 2023 Emeriti Lecture: Peace Teachers In and From Soledad Prison

John Brown Childs began offering courses on transcommunality at Soledad Correctional Facility eighteen years ago. Almost two decades later, his teachings continue to transform the lives of incarcerated men in Soledad.

Dickens Project honored with the 2023 Award of Merit from the California Association of Teachers of English.

The CATE award recognizes the Dickens Project’s long history of outreach and partnerships with high school students and teachers.

A scholar in his own community: Kevin Weatherwax

Computational Media Ph.D. student Kevin Weatherwax's research is supported through the Piatt Fellowship, a scholarship for doctoral students from Santa Cruz County.

Improving access to Early Start Summer Edge Program

This year, to advance access to a summer start, the Division of Undergraduate Education has removed the Summer Edge $50 registration fee, which is one of several initiatives taken to encourage new admits, and particularly transfer students, to take advantage of the opportunity to make degree progress before their first fall.

Humans and housing density are the leading cause of death for local pumas

Two new studies involving UC Santa Cruz researchers are shedding light on the challenges facing local pumas where humans are encroaching on their natural habitats.

Honoring the contributions of Gordon Moore

Science has lost one of its greatest champions with the death of Gordon Moore, a visionary engineer whose pioneering work on semiconductors set the stage for a technological revolution that changed the world in countless ways and enabled research breakthroughs in fields far and wide. 

Grant funds Sarker's aquaculture sustainability research

Pallab Sarker received a foundation grant fund from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, amounting to $170,947 over three years to strengthen his lab’s ecological aquaculture work.

Pedroza received Russell Sage Foundation Pipeline Grant

Assistant Professor Juan Manuel Pedroza aims to learn more about these challenges and speak to them, with the help of a recently awarded grant from the Russell Sage Foundation.

JWST’s first direct spectrum of planetary-mass object reveals dynamic atmosphere

The most detailed spectrum ever for a planetary-mass object outside our solar system covers an unprecedented range of wavelengths, providing a wealth of new insights.

Thankful for our community

We are so proud to be part of our outstanding Banana Slug community.

Center for Labor and Community opens on UC Santa Cruz campus

Scholars studying the economic and social impacts of a variety of labor and employment issues facing workers in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Area just announced the opening of a new center on campus that will provide timely and policy-relevant labor research, will educate the next generation of labor and community leaders and will advance labor, community, and occupational health initiatives.

Computer engineering research prompts bug fixes, updates to major GPU frameworks

A new suite of GPU tests developed by Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Tyler Sorensen and his students led to changes to an important GPU framework for programming web browsers.

The State of California offers a new program to help first-time homebuyers

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) under Governor Newsom is launching a new program to benefit first-time homebuyers.

Bike race to partially close Hagar and Coolidge on April 9

A bicycle race at UC Santa Cruz will close the northbound lane of Hagar Drive and the southbound lane of Coolidge Drive from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 9.

Notice of Open Comment – UC Clery Act Policy

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on the interim Clery Act Policy – Campus Safety and Security Reporting.

UCSC names astronomer Bryan Gaensler dean of Physical and Biological Sciences

UC Santa Cruz has appointed internationally recognized astronomer Bryan Gaensler to serve as dean of the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences, effective August 15.

Announcing appointment of Dean of Physical & Biological Sciences

We are excited to announce the appointment of Bryan Gaensler as UC Santa Cruz’s next Dean of Physical & Biological Sciences. His first day at UCSC is set for August 15.

Supporting our neighbors in need

The university has reached out to students from the Pajaro area offering support and campus resources.

UC Santa Cruz moving forward on project to increase student housing, expand childcare services

Student Housing West will provide housing for more than 3,000 students following project, finance approvals by the UC Board of Regents

Regent action advances Student Housing West

UC Santa Cruz, following finance and project approvals earlier today by the UC Board of Regents, is now able to move ahead with construction of our long-planned 3,000-bed Student Housing West project.

Young Supernova Experiment releases first set of transient survey data

UC Santa Cruz astronomers organized the survey, which has discovered thousands of cosmic explosions and other transient events of interest to astronomers and astrophysicists.

Researcher solves nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma

Dejan Milutinovic has solved a nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma called the wall pursuit game, with implications for better reasoning about autonomous systems such as driverless vehicles.

Join the Campus Advisory Committee on the Status of Womxn

Our Campus Advisory Committee on the Status of Womxn (CACSW) invites interest and nominations for roles: Co-Chair (Faculty), Co-Chair (Staff), Secretary/Treasurer, and Member(s)-at-Large.

Announcing our new Chief Campus Counsel

Eréndira Rubin will serve as the Chief Campus Counsel, beginning March 16. With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Eréndira will lead the Office of Campus Counsel and continue to provide clear and thoughtful legal advice.

Local educators shared expertise at the first STEM Education Central Coast Conference

The conference, which was organized by California State University Monterey Bay in collaboration with UC Santa Cruz, was designed by and for local educators in science, technology, engineering and math. The goal was to share expertise.

Strengthening UC Climate Policy: Community Feedback Forum

As the climate crisis worsens, UC is evolving its response with an updated climate policy that shifts away from a carbon neutrality strategy that requires significant reliance on offsets towards a strategy of direct decarbonization.

Welcoming the new director of Undergraduate Admissions

Timetra Hampton has been appointed as UC Santa Cruz’s new Director of Undergraduate Admissions. She will begin on May 1.

Notice of Open Comment, UC Policy on Inventions, Patents, and Innovation Transfer

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Inventions, Patents, and Innovation Transfer.

Minke whales are as small as a lunge-feeding baleen whale can be

Research on the feeding behavior of Antarctic minke whales found that a smaller whale could not capture enough food to survive using the lunge-feeding strategy of baleen whales.

Winning Grad Slam presentation highlights disease threat to Hawaiian birds

Ecology and evolutionary biology graduate student Christa Seidl will compete in the UC systemwide Grad Slam in May, presenting her research on avian malaria.

Planetary scientist Myriam Telus wins NSF CAREER Award

Myriam Telus, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her research on the atmospheres of rocky exoplanets.

Where is your squid coming from? Most likely unregulated waters, according to a new international study

Scientists and policymakers have voiced growing concerns about the decline of global squid stocks, but little has been done to date to target squid fishing activities that are expanding into unregulated spaces, according to a new international study.

New project will develop safer, highly accurate GPS alternative

Ricardo Sanfelice, UCSC professor of electrical and computer engineering, and his team of graduate students and researchers are designing a new and resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system.

First images released from James Webb Space Telescope’s largest general observer program

Mosaic images from the COSMOS-Web program offer a treasure trove of early galaxies, including dazzling examples of spiral galaxies, gravitational lensing, and evidence of galaxy mergers.

SAB Winter Forum - Virtual Only

The Staff Advisory Board invites you to join us on Wednesday, March 15, 12 - 1 pm, for the second 2023 winter forum to introduce staff members to three of our campus vice chancellors.

Marine mammal reproduction rests on a precarious tipping point of ocean resources

A study of northern elephant seals reveals a threshold at which a small decrease in the amount of prey females can find during foraging migrations could lead to a sudden drop in reproductive success.

Incoming Storm Thursday and Friday

The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rains and strong winds in Santa Cruz beginning Thursday and continuing into Saturday.

UCSC wins prestigious Highly Established Action Plan Seal for voter engagement

UC Santa Cruz has become one of only three University of California campuses awarded a Highly Established Action Plan Seal as part of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) for its voter engagement efforts.

Indigenous land management focus of this year’s Conversations on Climate Justice

Wildfires. Flooding. Drought. The nation has faced these climate issues for centuries. Yet, there’s still a lot that can be learned from pre-colonial indigenous food and land management techniques to combat our current climate problems, according to Dr. Lyla June Johnston, the keynote speaker for UC Santa Cruz’s third annual Conversations on Climate Justice event, coming up this Monday, March 13.

SpikeGPT: researcher releases code for largest-ever spiking neural network for language generation

Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jason Eshraghian and two students recently released the open-sourced code for the largest language-generating spiking neural network ever, named SpikeGPT.

New Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships announced

Lorena Rodriguez was appointed the Director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office as on March 1, 2023. Most recently serving as the Deputy Director of Financial Aid, Lorena has provided remarkable expertise, dedication and leadership throughout her time on campus.

Graphene quantum dots show promise as novel magnetic field sensors

Physicists found that speeding electrons trapped in circular loops in graphene quantum dots are highly sensitive to external magnetic fields.

Notice from Office of Admissions: Admitted Student Tours Beginning April 3

Michelle Whittingham, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and interim director of undergraduate admissions shares important dates for and upcoming information about upcoming programs and services for newly admitted students.

Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins 2023 AAAS Mentor Award

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded the 2023 AAAS Mentor Award to Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

Leaf wetness sensor will enable better plant disease forecasting and management

An interdisciplinary team of researchers created a new type of sensor for more accurately measuring leaf wetness which will enable better plant disease forecasting and management.

Celebrating UCSC’s Pioneer Alumni

Register today to be a part of the meaningful reunion weekend for our pioneer classes.

Shrinking age distribution of spawning salmon raises climate resilience concerns

Study suggests changes in hatchery practices could help increase population stability for Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon, the backbone of California’s salmon fishery.

Severe weather | Stay informed about campus impacts

The National Weather Service has issued a High-Wind Warning for Santa Cruz County and much of the San Francisco Bay Area through 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Nominations for the UC Women's Initiative are open

Nomination forms, eligibility, costs and a full program overview is available now. Submit your completed application between February 27, and March 24, 2023 for consideration.

UC Santa Cruz sees record number of first-year applications

The University of California, Santa Cruz has begun the process of building the fall 2023 class of students seeking to learn and thrive at an institution that leads at the intersection of innovation and social justice. The competition to earn a spot at UC Santa Cruz remains strong this year, with a record number of applications received.

MLK Convocation speaker points way to STEM success

The key to persevering in STEM careers is to find joy in the struggle, discover yourself in the process and lead with passion and purpose, Talithia Williams said at UC Santa Cruz’s online 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation Feb. 21.

Slug Safe | Preparing for possible impacts from severe weather

The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rains and strong winds in Santa Cruz beginning this evening and continuing into Friday.

RNA Rescue challenge invites players to solve puzzles and advance RNA therapeutics

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new puzzle challenge for the online game Eterna, enlisting players to help design a novel RNA drug to treat hemophilia A.

Major expansion of Lick Observatory education programs will benefit Bay Area students

Scientific Teaching through Astronomy Research (STARs), a suite of new outreach and education programs at UC’s Lick Observatory, will reach a diverse population of K-12 and college-age students.

Researcher wins inaugural NHGRI award for DEIA Innovation in the Genomics Workforce

Ann Mc Cartney received the National Human Genome Research Institute’s (NHGRI) inaugural Staff Award for DEIA Innovation in the Genomics Workforce. 

Overleaf Pro is now free for campus community

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Office of Research, the School of Engineering, and the Division of Physical & Biological Sciences, Overleaf Pro is now available to everyone on campus, including students, at no cost through December 21, 2023.

Notice of open comment, UC policy on purchases of goods and services; supply chain management

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy Purchases of Goods and Services; Supply Chain Management, BUS-43.

Slug Safe: Power outages, high-wind advisory through 1 p.m. Wednesday

Power is out at the residential campus, the Westside Research Park, and the Coastal Science Campus. PG&E has not yet offered an estimated restoration time.

Power restored to residential campus; classes to meet Wednesday

Power has been restored to the residential campus, and classes can meet Wednesday as anticipated.

First In-Person Night at the Museum Since Pandemic Returns With “Resettlement: Chicago Story”

The Humanities Institute’s Signature Event, UCSC Night at the Museum, is returning to the MAH for a screening and panel conversation, featuring “Resettlement: Chicago Story,” a short fictional film and accompanying website about people of Japanese ancestry remaking their lives in the Midwest following their wrongful incarceration during World War II.

Speaking his soul: John Rickford to speak at Distinguished Alumni Lecture

Stevenson College Distinguished alumnus John Rickford returns to UC Santa Cruz for a reading of a chapter of his memoir, “Speaking my Soul: Race, Life, and Language.”

UCSC professor building collaborations to shape future minds through ethnic studies

Many believe we are at a pivotal moment in this country regarding anti-racist reforms, police abolition, and restorative justice. And according to Rekia Jibrin, an assistant professor in critical studies of education within UC Santa Cruz’s Education Department, engaging local communities is vital to bringing about transformative change.

Supporting the people of Syria and Turkey

On behalf of the university, Vice Chancellor Anju Reejhsinghani and Vice Provost Richard Hughey extend their deepest sympathies to all those impacted directly or indirectly by this terrible disaster.

Information about reporting abusive conduct in the workplace

The University of California issued a new Presidential Policy that defines and prohibits Abusive Conduct in the Workplace, effective Jan 1, 2023. This policy applies to all University of California employees, including student employees.

Arts Division to break ground on new state-of-the-art Social Documentation Lab

UC Santa Cruz’s Division of the Arts will soon begin construction of a world-class production and post-production facility in support of its Social Documentation (SocDoc) MFA program.

Designing the digital user experience to meet research needs - Meet Jessica Waggoner

Jessica Waggoner, the user experience librarian, and her students work to understand information-seeking behaviors so the campus community can easily access the resources they need to be successful in their classes and push the boundaries of research.

Timely Warning Crime Bulletin: Sexual assault

This Timely Warning crime bulletin is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Big data expert to headline MLK Convocation

Dr. Talithia Williams, a mathematician and big data expert who seeks to “STEMpower” underrepresented groups to enter STEM fields, will address the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation, a virtual event on February 21.

Bots and Broadway: Technology and theater go hand-in-hand for UCSC professor

Using AI-generated text to produce dialogue during a live performance may seem like a wild idea to some, but not to performance and new media professor Marianne Weems. Weems, co-founder and artistic director of New York-based multi-dimensional theater company The Builders Association, is used to pushing the envelope with her ground-breaking work at the intersection of technology, media, and theater arts.

Legal Studies Program, Santa Cruz County Public Defender’s Office partner for National Public Defense Summit

Interested in learning about the importance of public defense and criminal law? The UC Santa Cruz Legal Studies Program, in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and the National Association for Public Defense, will host its first-ever National Public Defense Summit on February 24-25 at the Stevenson Event Center.

The wonder of our natural reserves, update on strategic planning, new space for IAS

February updates from the chancellor.

Campus safety strengthened with new programs, services

Restoring the late-night Safe Ride program, forming a mobile crisis intervention team, and increasing security patrols are just a few of the changes this academic year.

SlugUnity continues with On the Margins tabling event; individual coaching sessions available for students, staff, and faculty

In continuation of SlugUnity: a space for community healing, On the Margins will be on campus this Friday, February 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Quarry Plaza. During this time, On the Margins will distribute wellness kits, social justice and racial justice literature, and resources. 

Visits set for finalists for Chief Campus Counsel

The Chief Campus Counsel is a key leadership position at UC Santa Cruz, providing the campus with advice on a broad range of legal, regulatory and governance issues.

UCSC joins FAA/ UAS Collegiate Training Initiative

UC Santa Cruz is now the first UC- or CSU-member of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/ Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ (UAS) Collegiate Training Initiative program.

Welcoming our new Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations and Administration

Ed Reiskin has spent more than 20 years as a public sector administrator, most recently as the city of Oakland’s top administrative officer.

Funding opportunity to develop university innovations

The Innovation & Business Engagement Hub is now accepting applications for its new Innovation Catalyst Grant; a proof-of-concept program focused on providing targeted gap funding, training, mentorship, and support to UC Santa Cruz researchers in order to help de-risk and/or validate the implementation and adoption potential of early-stage technology innovations.

UC Santa Cruz leads DOE program to train computational high-energy physicists

The Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) at UC Santa Cruz is leading a consortium of western research universities and national laboratories in a new program to train the next generation of computational high-energy physicists.

UCSC receives NEH awards that will further research in anthropology and musicology

On January 10, the NEH announced $28.1 million in grants toward 204 humanities projects nationwide. Two of this year’s recipients are part of the Slug family themselves, and their new grants will help to further their research in both anthropology and musicology at UC Santa Cruz.

COVID-19 community health guidance and reminders

We write today to ask for your help in promoting community wellness by following these important reminders.

Astronomers observe light bending around an isolated white dwarf

The first detection of gravitational lensing for a single, isolated star other than our sun comes 100 years after a landmark experiment using the sun to confirm Einstein’s prediction.

Three UCSC faculty win prestigious NSF CAREER awards

The CAREER Awards are NSF's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.

Three UCSC faculty named 2022 AAAS fellows

Three UC Santa Cruz professors received the distinction of 2022 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the association announced today.

Improving the student experience: aligning Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services within the Division of Student Affairs and Success

In an effort to improve the student experience, Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) is moving from the Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration (FOA) to the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS).

University launches new center, Campus + Community, to facilitate engaged scholarship

After more than 50 years of engagement in the region, UC Santa Cruz is launching a new center to coordinate campus and community connections for action-oriented scholarship that advances social justice.

John Bollard named associate vice chancellor for student health and wellness and chief well-being officer; joins Division of Student Affairs and Success

The Division of Student Affairs and Success is excited to announce John Bollard has been hired as the associate vice chancellor for student health and wellness and chief well-being officer. He will begin his appointment Thursday, February 2.

Learning-Aligned Employment Program Launches; provides 100% funding for on-campus, student research positions

LAEP is a nine-year, state-funded, work-based learning program similar to federal work-study. The program offers eligible students the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

The university invites campus community to come together for SlugUnity: A Space for Healing

In the wake of numerous, horrific acts of violence that have recently unfolded across the country, UCSC invites students, staff, and faculty to gather together in the Quarry Amphitheater this Thursday, February 2 from noon to 1 p.m..

UC Office of the President invites comments on the proposed Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination

The proposed policy covers discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by and against members of the University community on University property or in connection with University-sponsored activities.

Leading the Change survey due Feb. 3

UC Santa Cruz wants your input on Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.

Your guide to dining on campus in 2023

11 UCSC Dining locations plus a variety of vendors provide options all over campus.

UCSC alumna and special advisor to the chancellor earns international recognition for contributions to science, community building

Matlock, a cognitive science professor at UC Merced and special adviser at UC Santa Cruz, studies language use in real world contexts, including climate change, politics, technology, and health.

Slug Bike Life builds on bike culture through county-wide partnership

UC Santa Cruz’s Slug Bike Life has been awarded $712,000 for phase II of the bike safety, information and encouragement program.

Candidate 1: Executive director of public safety and police chief

The finalists for the position of Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety /UC Santa Cruz Police Chief will be on campus beginning Feb. 6 and ending Feb. 14.

Disclosing foreign collaborations in research projects

In order to comply with evolving federal regulations related to disclosing foreign collaborations and other support, the Office of Research has updated Cayuse to include screening questions. These questions are meant to trigger information that needs to be disclosed on all applications and progress reports for projects with federal funding.

Two new species of rare succulents found in Mexico named by UCSC botanist

A retired staff botanist at the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden studied the rare plants found on an island off the coast of Baja California and identified two new species of dudleya.

NIH grant funds research on a powerful new approach to drug development

A new NIH MIRA grant funds biochemist Scott Lokey’s efforts to develop complex, membrane-permeable molecules as next-generation therapeutic agents.

Accrued Vacation Payout Program for those impacted by the California winter 2022-23 storms

Support for our community members who have been impacted by the California winter 2022-23 storms.

Support and resources following video released by Memphis Police of beating

UC COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirements

We are reaching out to inform you about the university’s updated Policy on Vaccination Programs, which reflects the following information regarding vaccination and booster requirements.

Search for Vice Chancellor for Research underway

We are pleased to announce the kickoff of a national recruitment for Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR).

Annual asbestos notice

California Health and Safety Code Section 25915.2. requires notification to all UC Santa Cruz personnel of the presence of asbestos in certain materials used in the construction of University buildings.

Reminder: Leading the Change survey

UC Santa Cruz wants your input on Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.

Resources and support in the face of recent gun violence

We are devastated by the tragic and senseless mass shootings on Saturday in Monterey Park and on Monday in Half Moon Bay

Visits set for finalists for Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences

The finalists for the position of Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences will be on campus for two days each beginning Feb. 6 and ending Feb. 17. Campus leadership invites all in the UC Santa Cruz community to participate in the interview process and to provide feedback on the four candidates.

UCSC leads new multicampus initiatives on climate change and bilingualism

UC Santa Cruz faculty are leading two new collaborative programs funded by grants from UC’s Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI) program.

Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies

Data from Antarctica show more humpback whales get pregnant after years with abundant krill than after years when krill were less plentiful.

Five student teams embark on tech for social good projects

Five student teams will take on tech for social good projects with funding from the UCSC CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and the UCSC Institute for Social Transformation.

Vulnerability of red sea urchins to climate change depends on location

Scientists found that red sea urchin populations are adapted to local environments, but some populations will suffer more than others as conditions change in the future.

Accrued Vacation Payout Program for employees impacted by the 2022-23 winter storms

We are activating the UC Santa Cruz Employee Emergency Accrued Vacation Payout Program.

2023 Campus Elections

The Dean of Students Office is pleased to announce the 2023 campus elections process.

Reminder - Decarbonization & Electrification Task Force Town Hall

Join the Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force and the Climate Coalition at the inaugural D&E Town Hall gathering. Get an update on the task force’s work and join a discussion on how to plan the next steps for the decarbonization of the campus.

Leading the Change survey launching today

The strategic plan is our opportunity to chart a path for progress on our campus goals of advancing student success, amplifying our research profile, fostering an inclusive campus climate, and becoming more sustainable and resilient. The strategic planning process will include establishing metrics by which success will be measured over the next decade.

Researchers produce first-ever toolkit for RNA sequencing analysis using a ‘pantranscriptome’

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz introduce the first-ever method for analyzing RNA sequencing data genome-wide using a “pantranscriptome.”

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences to open new, off campus galleries

The state-of-the-art facility will showcase the Institute of the Arts and Sciences’ groundbreaking exhibitions and programs, highlighting the work of major national and international artists working to address the most pressing issues of our day at the intersection of the arts and social justice.

Rebecca Ropers will serve as a 2023 American Council on Education Fellow

Rebecca Ropers will serve as a 2023 ACE Fellow in the Office of Campus Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor. She is the vice provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and a professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Announcing Teenie Matlock as special adviser to the chancellor for Indigenous matters

Teenie Matlock, most recently Vice Provost for Academic Personnel at UC Merced, has officially joined UC Santa Cruz as Special Adviser to the Chancellor on Indigenous Relations.

Study finds active galactic nuclei are even more powerful than thought

A new study indicates that scientists have substantially underestimated the energy output of active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes because their light is dimmed by dust.

Alumni Weekend re-envisioned

Alumni Weekend was created to welcome alumni back to UC Santa Cruz for a week of reconnecting with peers, Santa Cruz, and the campus community. In 2023, the program will take on a redesigned look.

In Memoriam: Pierson Perrizo

We are saddened to write to you with news of the passing of Pierson Perrizo on December 13, 2022.

Sensorium, a new project of UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure, to be an unprecedented experience of the world ocean

A new project in development by UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure will give the public a transformative opportunity to interact with the world’s ocean ecosystem in a fully immersive work of environmental art entitled Sensorium.

Earth scientist James Zachos honored for climate change research

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Climate Change category recognizes Zachos and fellow paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas of Yale University.

Stay informed about campus impacts from severe storm

In-person instruction resumes Wednesday, Jan. 11

Support for our community during severe storms

Our thoughts are with all who are facing the challenges this severe weather has wrought.

In-person instruction to resume Wednesday

With improving weather conditions, in-person instruction will start on Wednesday, with UC Santa Cruz lifting the requirement for uniform emergency remote instruction.

Astronomers find the most distant stars in our galaxy halfway to Andromeda

A search for variable stars called RR Lyrae has found some of the most distant stars in the Milky Way’s halo a million light years away.

Tuesday classes to use remote instruction, stay informed on storm impacts

All classes on Tuesday, January 10, will be delivered using online or emergency remote instruction, and we continue to encourage our campus community to limit nonessential travel.

Monday classes to use remote instruction, stay informed on storm impacts

All classes on Monday, January 9, will be delivered using online or emergency remote instruction, and we encourage our campus community to limit nonessential travel.

Guidance for the beginning of winter quarter

Below you will find important information and resources on the start of instruction, including information about possible health and weather impacts.

LastPass security breach, how to protect yourself

LastPass notified its customers of a cybersecurity incident that may put passwords stored in LastPass at risk.

Expansion of Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) Program for eligible employees

UC’s Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) program, introduced on July 1, 2021, as part of UC’s commitment to family-friendly policies, programs and benefits, is expanding.

UC Santa Cruz Cal Teach program connects area STEM majors with local public schools

Established in fall 2005, the UCSC Cal Teach program is one of nine in the UC system, with a goal to recruit and support undergrads in the STEM field to become teachers in K-12 schools.

Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service is forecasting a significant winter storm for the Santa Cruz area beginning early Wednesday and continuing through Thursday afternoon.