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Springing into a new season of music

While there are performances every quarter, spring represents the culmination of a year of labor and practice. It often offers more concert opportunities than other quarters and this year is no exception.

Deer fawning season alert

Please be aware that spring is the prime birthing season for a wide variety of campus wildlife, including deer.

Colombia’s peatlands could be a crucial tool to fight climate change. But first we have to find them.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Scott Winton conducted three years of extensive fieldwork to develop the first data-driven map of both newly documented and predicted peatlands across Colombia’s eastern lowlands.

Ancient DNA research aids de-extinction efforts and reveals surprising dire wolf ancestry

UC Santa Cruz scientists worked with Colossal Biosciences to help reveal secrets in the dire wolf genome that contributed to what the startup is calling the world’s first de-extinction

Science Division staff honored with new award for outstanding service and dedication

The Science Division is honoring staff members Jeannette Peters, Patti Schell, and Deana Tanguay for demonstrating outstanding service, leadership, teamwork, innovation, or dedication to the division’s mission within the past five years.

April in Santa Cruz highlights innovation and trans-cultural identities

An upcoming concert series organized by the University of California, Santa Cruz Music Department embodies the theme of trans-cultural identity through both experimental and traditional music.

Center for Labor and Community partners with regional union leaders on state-funded push to ensure workplace rights, safety, and benefits.

UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Labor and Community will partner with the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO on a state grant to educate workers across the Central Coast in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and retail.

Inaugural Landesman Lecture features Dr. Terrie M. Williams

The Edward and Miriam Landesman Lecture series, integrating mathematical and scientific research with excellence in teaching. Dr. Terrie M. Williams is the speaker for the inaugural event.

Reimagined undergrad class teaches students entire DNA sequencing process using cutting-edge devices

A biomolecular engineering course has recently been redesigned to give students experience with the entire process of DNA sequencing, from sampling to data analysis, using the latest nanopore devices from Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Supporting International Students, Faculty, and Scholars

As Chancellor Larive shared in an all-campus message on April 6, last week, the federal government began terminating the F-1 records of international students across the country, including three within our own campus community. These actions came without warning and explanation; we’ve been working to understand the situation through discussion with international offices at other UC campuses and UC Federal Governmental Relations as well as UC Office of the President (UCOP) and national sources.

Cell biologist discovers two proteins are key to proper transfer of genetic material

The biological research of UC Santa Cruz’s Needhi Bhalla to determine the molecular motions at the heart of heredity has yielded a new discovery: The proper transfer of genetic materials depends on two key proteins that choreograph the delicate dance between chromosomes when sexual-reproduction cells divide.

David Deamer wins 2025 SETI Institute's Drake Award

The SETI Institute has honored David Deamer, an emeritus professor of biomolecular engineering, with its Drake Award

Procurement announces discount program at The Bagelry for university business

UCSC Procurement and The Bagelry, a beloved local favorite for bagels and spreads, have announced an exciting new contract pricing arrangement exclusively for UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) faculty and staff. The UCSC agreement is for "Official University" Business only, it does not apply to personal use orders.

Notice of Campus Comment Period: UC Policy on High-Containment Research

The University of California, Office of the President invites comments on a proposed new Presidential Policy on High-Containment Research.

DroneCamp 2025 offers comprehensive drone training for all experience levels this summer

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute’s CIDER Program invites you to the 2025 DroneCamp, a hands-on, five-day training event designed to teach you everything you need to know about using drones for mapping and field data collection.

Interviews set for finalists for Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Accreditation assessment team for UC Santa Cruz Police Department invites public comment

A team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) will arrive on April 28, 2025, to examine all aspects of the University of California Santa Cruz Police Department (UCSC PD) policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services, Chief Kevin Domby announced today.

New book explains the public health costs of prisons and policing

Assistant Professor Carlos Martinez's latest co-edited book explores the public health impacts of punitive policing, incarceration, and deportation policies and describes how the abolitionist health justice movement is working toward a new, more just vision of “safety” that protects, rather than harms, the health and wellbeing of our society’s most vulnerable people.

UC Santa Cruz researchers honored in Hollywood style at Breakthrough Prize ceremony

The Breakthrough Prize Foundation, established by Silicon Valley luminaries including the tech icons behind Google and Facebook, named UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist Rebecca Jensen-Clem and former postdoctoral researcher Maaike van Kooten as co-recipients of the early-career New Horizons in Physics Prize.

Spring Forum with Chancellor Larive and SAB New Member Self-Nominations

Information about recent federal immigration actions

We recognize that recent federal immigration actions, whether locally, within the UC system, or across the country, may cause fear and grave concern for many in our campus community.

Music meets motherhood in inspiring performance

Stephanie F. Valadez blended together her latin heritage with her experience in motherhood to compose a concert that embodies who she is. This free performance at the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall, was organized by Valadez and Dr. Russell Rodriguez, an assistant professor of music.

Enchanting night of classical guitar with Connie Sheu

The Arts Division is welcoming Connie Sheu, an esteemed guitarist, to campus for a performance that is free and open to the public. The April 18 show will demonstrate Sheu’s deep commitment to the guitar’s rich tradition, and her dynamic approach to showcasing works from the classical repertoire.

Dear Slugs | Dean of Students Newsletter | April 2025

Read the latest edition of the Dear Slugs newsletter from Dean of Students Garrett Naiman. Dear Slugs offers important resources, events and opportunities in support of students.

UC Santa Cruz working with Universidad Autónoma de Baja California on cooperative research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges

UC Santa Cruz leaders last week formally recognized the university’s burgeoning relationship with the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The agreement highlights a commitment by both institutions to develop cooperative research and cultural initiatives, and faculty and student exchanges.

Get involved at Banana Slug Day and Transfer Day 2025

Banana Slug Day and Transfer Day at UC Santa Cruz will welcome admitted students and help them discover more about the campus community.

UC Santa Cruz and the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County: Better Together

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions volunteers make in their communities. It’s an opportunity to encourage more people to get involved with organizations by giving for a few hours a day, a week or on an ongoing basis.

Strengthening Campus Connections: UCSC Launches Slug Family Hub

UC Santa Cruz has launched the Slug Family Hub, a new platform designed to keep families informed, connected, and engaged with campus life through centralized updates, resources, and event information.

Brain cells are more plastic than previously thought, study shows

Using in-vitro models of a specific type of brain cell, scientists show that neurons are capable of changing from one type to another.

Astronomy Ph.D. candidate researching mysteries of sub-Neptune planets wins fellowship

UC Santa Cruz astronomy Ph.D. candidate Sagnick Mukherjee has received one of the most sought-after postdoctoral awards in the field: the prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship. In its March 27 announcement, the awarding Heising-Simons Foundation named Mukherjee one of eight new fellows, recognizing them as exceptional postdoctoral scientists who deserve support to continue their research in planetary astronomy.

Three UC Santa Cruz faculty members named 2024 AAAS fellows

Three UC Santa Cruz faculty members have been named new fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS awarded the lifetime honor to professors David Deamer, Theodore Holman, and Raphael Kudela on March 27.

Cynthia Lewis named 2025 Fellow of the American Educational Research Association

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has named Cynthia Lewis, professor emerita of education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, as one of its 2025 AERA Fellows.

The Emeriti Association presents the 2025 Spring Emeriti Faculty Lecture

In the April 8 Spring Emeriti Faculty Lecture, Susan Harding explores the limits of modern secularity and secular norms during the 1980’s “Satanic Panic” and today.

Engineering undergrad is fastest to solve national codebreaker challenge for the second year in a row

For the second year in a row, UC Santa Cruz undergraduate computer engineering student Astra Tsai was the fastest student to solve the National Security Administration’s (NSA) codebreaker challenge. 

Labor strikes announced for Tuesday, April 1

The University of California has been notified of a one-day systemwide labor strike on Tuesday, April 1 at all UC campuses and medical centers.

Artist Talk provides a deep dive into dance as rebellion

Many have seen the newest mural on campus, Danza a la Rebeldía (Dance as Rebellion), but now is the chance to learn more about it. On April 15 alumni muralists Irene Juarez-O’Connell and Victor Cervantes will join John Jota Leaños, a professor of Film and Digital Media and the assistant dean of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Arts Division, for a discussion about the work.

Virtual communications remain essential to modern workflows. Here’s what psychology research says about implications and best-practices.

As more companies and governments issue often unpopular return-to-office mandates, there’s still very little evidence about how remote work compares to in-person settings, especially when it comes to communication, which is the foundation of collaboration. Psychology researchers at UC Santa Cruz have been working to fill in the gaps by investigating the nuances of virtual communication.

Six UC Santa Cruz professors awarded 2025 NEH Grants for groundbreaking research on AI, colonial violence, and social justice

Six UC Santa Cruz professors have received prestigious 2025 National Endowment for the Humanities awards this year, advancing scholarship on topics ranging from colonial violence to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

Save the Date: Communicating Climate Solutions Symposium, Sept. 15-17

UC Santa Cruz's Science Communications Program and the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience is hosting the Communicating Climate Solutions Symposium, taking place September 15–17, 2025, at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

Important updates about UCSC Adobe Creative Cloud software

As a reminder, if you need to use Adobe Creative Cloud software (including Acrobat Pro installed on your device), you must activate your license using your UCSC account and reactivate quarterly.

Equity and Equal Protection replacing Bias Response Reporting form

The Office of Equity and Equal Protection (EEP) is now managing all complaints of discrimination or harassment on the basis of protected characteristics for all community members, including students.

‘Find Your Path!’ opens doors for successful careers in the arts

Professionals in arts disciplines know there is always a way to make a living doing what you love, and the award-winning faculty and alumni from UC Santa Cruz are here to prove it. Find Your Path!, an annual event hosted by the Arts Division brings together professionals from a variety of fields for a two-day seminar that helps students learn about potential pathways to success.

New eye-tracking VR experience, Face Jumping, wins XR Audience Award at SXSW

After debuting at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025, Face Jumping won the conference’s XR Experience audience award among the 15 creators working at the intersection of technology and immersive art who participated in the XR Experience competition.

Scientists program stem cells to mimic first days of embryonic development

Using CRISPR-based engineering methods to prompt stem cells to organize into embryo-like structures, scientists at UC Santa Cruz were able to create “programmable” cellular models of embryos without ever experimenting with any actual embryos.

Long-accepted theory explaining the nature of our universe may need updating, new analysis indicates

The standard model of how the universe works involves the widely accepted theory that dark energy is a fundamental constant of nature that drives the accelerating expansion of the universe. But a new analysis announced today by the international Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration raises the possibility that this theory may need to be updated.

Staff Appreciation Picnic - Save the Date and Tabling Information

Please save the date - Thursday, May 8 - for our annual Staff Appreciation Picnic and Raffle.

New lactation spaces open for nursing mothers on campus

Across the UC Santa Cruz campuses, nursing mothers now have access to 21 lactation rooms where they can express milk and nurse their babies. The spaces on the residential, coastal, Scotts Valley, and Silicon Valley campuses, some new and others renovated, provide a safe, quiet, and relaxing space where they can maintain their lactation goals.

In Memoriam: Carlos Garita-Alvarado

The UC Santa Cruz community is deeply saddened to share the sudden and unexpected passing of Carlos Garita-Alvarado on March 9 at his home in Santa Cruz at the age of 38.

Workshop aims to create speech AI for all

To address the poor performance of speech AI systems for this community, a team of researchers is studying and seeking solutions to the technical and design challenges of speech AI, as well as the policies and norms that surround this reinforcement of the existing difficulties associated with variations in speech patterns.

Teaching Week 2025 Recap

The Teaching and Learning Center and the Academic Senate held the 3rd Annual Teaching Week at UC Santa Cruz in late February.

Student Health Services Welcomes New Medical Leadership, Reaffirms Commitment to Student Healthcare

Read an important message from John Bollard, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Wellness and Chief Well-being Officer, about Student Health Services’ ongoing commitment to accessible, high-quality care and student well-being. In this message, AVC Bollard also introduces Dr. Wang, Medical Director, and Dr. Garcia, Associate Medical Director, to campus.

Sketch of suspect in sexual battery incidents

In an effort to find the suspect connected with two sexual battery incidents on campus, the UC Santa Cruz Police Department has released a sketch based on witness descriptions.

Forum captures urgency to use ecosystems now to keep people safe from looming natural disasters

The National Practice Forum on Nature-Based Solutions was held in Irvine on February 4 and 5, and sponsored by UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR). The forum drew over 500 attendees from around the country to discuss how our ecosystems can protect us from natural disasters.

Research Corporation for Science Advancement honors Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz has been named a recipient of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement’s (RCSA) Robert Holland Jr. Award, which honors outstanding contributions to research, leadership, and mentorship in the sciences.

New study shows how microalgae could help advance sustainable trout farming

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz created a successful experimental aquaculture feed formulation for rainbow trout that fully replaces traditional fishmeal ingredients sourced from wild-caught fish with leftover marine microalgae from the human dietary supplement industry. Their findings support efforts to increase the variety and quality of fish-free feed options, so that aquaculture can expand food production while also taking pressure off of wild fish stocks.

Whale waste helps health of oceans by funneling nutrients to the tropics, new study shows

New research shows that whales move nutrients thousands of miles—in their pee and poop—from as far as Alaska to Hawaii, supporting the health of tropical ecosystems and fish. UC Santa Cruz professors Dan Costa and Ari Friedlaender contributed their marine-mammal expertise to the study, which was published on March 10 in the journal Nature Communications.

UCOP FAQ about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of California

The UC Office of the President has issued a document providing more detail and a UC-specific compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) containing preliminary guidance and references to relevant federal and state law and University policy.

Biologist Erika Zavaleta receives Science Division’s Outstanding Faculty Award

The Science Division has announced that Erika Zavaleta, a professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, has won its 2023-24 Outstanding Faculty Award. The annual prize is the division's highest honor for faculty achievement, recognizing combined excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Jose Ramirez is helping one UC at a time

The University of California, Santa Cruz Arts Division is putting its mission into action with Art Matters, an upcoming event in Los Angeles that underscores the transformative power of the arts. The evening will bring together a dynamic mix of alumni, faculty, and supporters, including acclaimed Chicano artist José Ramírez. Ramírez, known for his vibrant and socially engaged work, has contributed a collection of prints for the silent auction and will take the stage as a featured speaker.

Matt O’Hara and Katia Obraczka appointed interim provosts of Cowell and Crown for 2025-26

The Division of Undergraduate Education is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Matt O’Hara as interim provost of Cowell College and Professor Katia Obraczka as interim provost of Crown College for the 2025-26 academic year.

Planned power outage during spring break - March 24–27

In order to address critical infrastructure needs, there will be multiple planned high-voltage electrical shutdowns on the main residential campus during Spring Break.

Student-built app slashes weeks off brain mapping to speed up neuroscience research

UC Santa Cruz neuroscientists aiming to better understand how specific brain connectivity contributes to perception, thoughts, and behavior are leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance their study of brain function. By integrating AI, they are streamlining the process of aligning thin slices of mouse brain tissue with a reference atlas, helping to identify key details such as the brain region of origin more efficiently.

UCSC Arts Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu to join UCLA

Arts Dean and Distinguished Professor of Film and Digital Media Celine Parreñas Shimizu will become the next dean of the School of Theater, Film, and Television (TFT) at UCLA. She will step down from her position at UC Santa Cruz in June 2025.

Explaining how our biological clocks work and how to better regulate our circadian rhythms

As anticipation builds for the longer days that follow this weekend’s switch to daylight savings time, the moment seemed ideal to turn to one of the nation’s leading circadian-rhythms researchers, UC Santa Cruz’s Carrie Partch.

AI chatbots perpetuate biases when performing empathy, study finds

A new study explores how GPT-4o, the latest model from OpenAI, evaluates and performs empathy compared to humans, and finds major gaps exist.

Timely Warning Crime Bulletin: Burglary

The UCSC Police Department and/or Title IX became aware on March 4, 2025, of three incidents potentially related to a violation of California Penal Code 647.

Initial review date for Vice Provost of Academic Affairs applicants is March 14

UC Santa Cruz has launched an internal search for the next Vice Provost of Academic Affairs (VPAA). UCSC candidates can apply through UC Recruit, with an initial review date of Friday, March 14, 2025.

2025 CITRIS Multi-Campus Seed Funding Program open for submissions

The CITRIS Seed Funding Program issues competitive awards that advance information technology research for societal benefit and catalyze proof-of-concept results that can lead to transformative solutions for industry and the public sector.

Join the 2025 International Freezer Challenge

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Sustainability is excited to announce campus participation in the 2025 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, a global initiative promoting sustainable cold storage practices. This is a fantastic opportunity for labs across UCSC to reduce energy use, improve efficiency, and contribute to our campus sustainability goals.

Parking will be limited in Hahn Lot (Lot 101) from April 1 – 11

UC Santa Cruz will welcome more than 10,000 admitted and prospective students and their families to campus between April 1 and April 11, as they consider saying “Yes to UCSC.” This is an opportunity for all of us to share what is special about UC Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz earns Integrated Pest Management Achievement Award

New biology study reveals four novel genes required for male fertility in mice

The pioneering research of UC Santa Cruz’s Upasna Sharma to determine how a father’s life experiences and environment can influence the health and wellbeing of his children moves forward with the recent discovery of four genes required for male fertility and the creation of specific RNA molecules in sperm.

Clinical pediatric cancer lab at UC Santa Cruz is cleared to accept and test patient samples

The UC Santa Cruz Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory has received its CLIA certificate of registration from the California Department of Public Health, which clears the way for it to begin accepting patient samples.

New way to activate UCSC Adobe Creative Cloud software

There is a new way to activate UCSC Adobe Creative Cloud accounts.

UC Santa Cruz ocean scientist Adina Paytan honored for international research leadership

Adina Paytan, a professor in the Earth and Planetary Science Department and the Institute of Marine Science, has been awarded the Tommy and Yvette Edmondson Distinguished Service Award by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.

Information about Ramadan at UCSC

Supporting our campus community during Ramadan with dining options, prayer spaces, academic accommodations, and engagement opportunities.

Newest Genome Browser features highlight the power of generative AI and machine learning for biology

The UCSC Genome Browser has added two new datasets that leverage the power of generative AI and machine learning to interpret information about genetic variants and more rapidly assess which ones might be harmful to human health

UC Santa Cruz welcomes future STEM leaders for annual MESA Day competitions

Pre-college students to showcase STEM skills through a day of hands-on challenges and interactive learning on March 1.

SlugCents offers free tax help to students through April 15

The SlugCents Financial Wellness Program is now offering free tax preparation assistance to students (domestic and international) and others who had income of $67,000 or less in 2024.

Tools and training combat health impacts on farmworkers that are worsened by climate change

A UC Santa Cruz-led project has launched a new bilingual app allowing the public to assess and anonymously report climate-related health risks in agricultural communities statewide. Over 50 newly trained community health advisers will use the app and other tools to teach farmworkers about health risks worsened by climate change and the remedies available through state-mandated health protections.

UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist explores the interconnectedness of art and science in 'Painting the Cosmos'

A new book by UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist and visual artist Nia Imara debuts tomorrow that explains the universe and traces how art has blended with science throughout human history.

Commitment to the UC Santa Cruz community

I write today acknowledging the uncertainty and anxiety that many members of our community are experiencing from the federal actions over these past weeks. I share these feelings and I want to reaffirm our commitment to our mission.

Phillip Crews honored with inaugural ASP Mentorship Award

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Phillip Crews has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) Phillip Crews Mentorship Award.

Notice of Campus Comment Period: UC Risk Transfer and Insurance Requirements

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on revisions to the policy on Risk Transfer and Insurance Requirements (BFB-63).

Music Department showcases student excellence

Part of the University of California, Santa Cruz’s groundbreaking music education is ensuring students have a chance to perform. Throughout winter quarter, students have strived to perfect their sound and their work will culminate in a series of performances through February and March.

Opera performance highlights Spanish music and Chicanx culture

Lecturer in Music Sheila Willey is bringing Spanish-language opera to the stage. The upcoming Opera and Zarzuela Scenes performance on March 13, 2025 at the Music Center Recital Hall on campus, will bring a wider cultural look at the artform from several Spanish-speaking countries.

Several labor strikes announced for Feb. 26-28

We anticipate the strikes will have noticeable impacts to the services provided by campus dining, transit, and health services.

Professor Catherine S. Ramírez selected as a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar

Catherine S. Ramírez, a UC Santa Cruz professor and chair of the Latin American and Latino Studies Department, was one of 15 thought leaders selected from top universities across the country to become a 2025-2026 Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar.

Dear Slugs | Dean of Students Newsletter | February 2025

Read the latest edition of the Dear Slugs newsletter from Dean of Students Garrett Naiman. Dear Slugs offers important resources, events and opportunity in support of students.

Cosmic radiation from supernova altered virus evolution in Africa, study proposes

A new study led by recent undergraduate student Caitlyn Nojiri and co-authored by astronomy and astrophysics professor Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz and postdoctoral fellow Noémie Globus examined iron isotopes to identify a 2.5 million-year-old supernova. The researchers connected this stellar explosion to a surge of radiation that pummeled Earth around the same time, and they assert that the blast was powerful enough to break the DNA of living creatures.

Search launches for Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

UC Santa Cruz is launching an internal search for the next Vice Provost of Academic Affairs (VPAA).

Campus shares second quarter financial summary, revenue generation ideas, and budget committee framework

To keep the campus community informed about efforts to bring the core funds budget into balance, UC Santa Cruz has released a quarterly financial summary, revenue generation recommendations, and the framework used to determine the multiyear reduction plan.

New book explores historical lessons on racial equity issues in the U.S.

The latest book from UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus of Politics Michael K. Brown takes a look back over a century of American history to explore how shortcomings in political philosophy have kept racial inequality problems stuck in place in the United States.

Foraging seals enable scientists to measure fish abundance across the vast Pacific Ocean

A new study led by UC Santa Cruz marine biologist Roxanne Beltran to be published as the February 14 cover story for Science concludes that seals can essentially act as “smart sensors” for monitoring fish populations in the ocean’s eerily dim “twilight zone.”

New study documents California coyotes eating harbor seal pups

A paper published on February 12 in the journal Ecology details how the researchers used motion-triggered cameras placed at MacKerricher State Beach on California's North Coast during harbor seal pupping season in the spring of 2023 and 2024.

Young workers in Santa Cruz County may be poised to lead a ‘union boom’

Santa Cruz County has already been gaining national attention for groundbreaking unionization efforts led by young workers, including at local Starbucks and REI locations. Now, new survey data show why that trend is likely to continue.

In Memoriam: Professor David Lee Cuthbert, Performance, Play and Design

David Lee Cuthbert, Professor of Performance, Play and Design (PPD), passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2025. Cuthbert was a dedicated educator and designer, serving as part of the Theater Arts faculty for 25 years. His passing is a profound loss for the Arts Division and for UC Santa Cruz.

Economically, culturally important marine species vulnerable to changing climate, new study shows

Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the marine species most vulnerable to the changing climate's effect on California's coastal waters, a new study led by UC Santa Cruz researchers finds.

AAAS names UC Santa Cruz organelle discovery most outstanding paper in 2024

The discovery by UC Santa Cruz researchers of a new organelle within single-celled algae that converts nitrogen gas into ammonia continues to be celebrated by the science community, this time by winning the prestigious AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.

NIH awards Kellogg Lab nearly $3 million to continue research on molecular mechanisms that control cell growth, size

Doug Kellogg, professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded $2.95 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study control of cell growth and size in normal cells—and how it goes wrong in cancer.

UC Santa Cruz sets fossil-free date

The University of California, Santa Cruz has announced it will reduce fossil fuel emission by 90% by 2045. The date was set based on recommendations from the Decarbonization and Electrification (D&E) team.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates Teaching Week 2025 with Symposium, AI Discussion, and Distinguished Teaching Award Lecture

UC Santa Cruz will host Teaching Week 2025 from Feb. 24 to Feb. 28, celebrating innovative and equity-minded teaching practices across campus.

Recording available for Jan. 29 Faculty and Staff Continuing Student Housing Webinar

The faculty and staff housing webinar on January 29 provided an overview of this year’s continuing student housing process, including key details on how students can best prepare to participate.

Recent UCSC alumni take over the SF MOMA

Several University of California, Santa Cruz Arts and Engineering students and alumni worked together on two separate projects which are part of the same exhibition at the SFMOMA. Annalivia Martin-Straw (Porter ‘23, Art) worked with her collaborator to create an immersive racing game, which up to five visitors can play at a time.

‘Random with a Purpose’ mixes dance styles for individualized performances

Every year students lead the charge in creating a dance showcase: Random with a Purpose (RWAP), which runs from Feb. 28 – Mar. 9. This year’s director, senior Emily Pflieger, hopes to shock audiences through a wide array of genres and styles that capture individual experiences of each choreographer and dancer.

SCIPP scientist Simone Mazza honored with international physics award

Simone Mazza, an assistant research scientist at the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP), has won an international award that recognizes contributions in the fields of fundamental interactions of matter. Mazza received the 2024 INFN Bruno Toushek Award from the Italian Scientists and Scholars of North America Foundation.

New UC website on federal policies

The rapid shift in federal policy and priorities is creating uncertainty for UC Santa Cruz, our UC system and universities across the country.

Prevent the Spread of Respiratory and Stomach Viruses

The Student Health Center urges students to prioritize health and community well-being as respiratory and stomach illnesses rise.

UC Santa Cruz scientists slither into the history books with first complete genome of a banana slug

Not only is the banana slug the endearing mascot for UC Santa Cruz — making the project fitting for campus researchers — but the slugs’ unique slime was a particularly challenging undertaking for UCSC’s experts in genomics.

Campus comment period for the new International Travel Policy

The Division of Global Engagement proposes a new policy on International Travel and invites comments.

Second annual Slow Fashion Week, Feb. 10-14

Slow Fashion Week is a new tradition for the Student Sustainability Advisor team in the Sustainability Office. Started last year by Student Sustainability Advisor Khalilah Hamid, Slow Fashion week encourages reducing clothing waste and taking a step back from the fast fashion industry among the student community.

Updates on financial aid processing and our path forward

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office acknowledges this year’s processing delays and is making improvements for 2025-2026, including better communication and streamlined processing.

New research and art installation demonstrate the viability of using fog as a water source

In a state known for its droughts, where the southern half recently experienced devastating fires, understanding California’s natural water sources is more important than ever. Three University of California, Santa Cruz professors have teamed up to create a multipart scientific and artistic research study, Art+Fog as a collective,

Resources for undocumented members of our campus community

We write today to reaffirm our support and care for undocumented members of the UC Santa Cruz community.

New grant funds effort to uncover therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders

A $10.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state’s stem cell agency, will fund a multi-UC effort to better understand neuropsychiatric disorders.

Explorer society honors Roxanne Beltran for advancing scientific field research, education equity

Roxanne Beltran, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, is among 50 people from around the world being honored this year for “doing remarkable work to promote science and exploration.”

Innovative techniques aim for climate-safe restoration of Ms. Blue

A new project is underway to give Ms. Blue another life, this time enabling her to teach the community about the power of climate-safe innovation

The Institute of Arts and Science curates two revolutionary exhibitions

The Institute of the Arts and Sciences (IAS) is starting the new year with two imaginative and heartfelt exhibitions exploring liberation and justice. EDELO and Our Bedrock, both of which run from Jan. 31 – April 20

Climate change reshuffles species like a deck of cards, new study finds

A new study led by UC Santa Cruz ecology and evolutionary biologist Malin Pinsky finds that temperature changes due to climate change have a doubly detrimental impact: Not only do they destabilize animal populations, but the impacts accelerate as temperatures change more rapidly.

UC Santa Cruz AgTech Alliance launches to support interdisciplinary collaboration

Building on the long history of innovation in agriculture at the campus, the AgTech Alliance will support research, education, events, and workforce development related to advancing agricultural technology in order to create more formalized opportunities for collaboration within the university and beyond.

Decarbonization & Electrification Town Hall #4

The Decarbonization & Electrification Initiative will hold its fourth town hall gathering on February 10, 2025.

UC Santa Cruz Innovation Catalyst Grant program propels research into real-world solutions

UC Santa Cruz has announced the Innovation Catalyst Grant proof-of-concept program awardees, showcasing the campus’s commitment to fostering transformative research with significant societal benefits.

Long read sequencing reveals more genetic information while cutting time and cost of rare disease diagnoses

A new study shows that long-read sequencing has the potential to improve the rate of diagnosis while reducing the time to diagnosis from years to days — in a single test and at a much lower cost.

The teaching profession never really recovered from the pandemic. A new book explains why, and what we can do about it.

Education Professor Lora Bartlett and her collaborators collected detailed data on the pandemic and post-pandemic experiences of 75 teachers across the country, revealing how the pandemic era hastened a downward spiral in career satisfaction and longevity for teachers.

Professor Patty Gallagher reimagines Comedy of Errors in a new era

Shakespeare is coming to the University of California, Santa Cruz. The upcoming February performances of Comedy of Errors at the Theater Arts eXperimental Theater embody comedy and heartfelt performances.

Luca de Alfaro selected as 2024 ACM fellow

Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Luca de Alfaro has been selected a 2024 fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), one of the most prestigious recognitions in the computing field.

Students make winning videos about importance of federal support for science research

Impactful scientific discovery isn't possible without funding to support the research, and three UC Santa Cruz students have created short videos that took top prizes in a national competition held by the Science Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research.

Five student projects funded through the 2024-25 CITRIS Tech for Social Good Program

The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at UC Santa Cruz has selected five student projects for funding through the 2024-25 CITRIS Tech for Social Good Program.

John Jota Leaños selected as new Interim Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the UC Santa Cruz Arts Division

The University of California, Santa Cruz brought on a new Interim Assistant Dean of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Arts Division. John Jota Leaños, a professor of Film and Digital Media (FDM) and Guggenheim Fellow, is a Mexican/Italian-American and Chumash-award winning interdisciplinary artist, documentarian, animator, and social art practitioner whose work engages the intersections of history, memory, and power through a social justice lens.

Breaking records and feeding hope, once again!

UCSC community has broken our own record of generosity in this year's Second Harvest Holiday Food & Fund Drive - for the fourth year in a row!

Hubble Telescope images combined into giant mosaic of neighboring Andromeda Galaxy

Astronomers are celebrating the completion of a 2.5-billion-pixel panoramic picture of the entire Andromeda Galaxy. The team includes several UC Santa Cruz researchers who made significant contributions to the enormous photomosaic that combines some 600 snapshots taken by the Hubble Space Telescope over more than a decade and 1,000 orbits.

American Astronomical Society honors four UC Santa Cruz affiliates at national meeting

At this week's AAS national meeting, the society named UC Observatories Director Bruce Macintosh and two alumni, Laura Lopez and Mark Phillips, among the 24 new fellows chosen for 2025.

Embedding equity in the financial sector

UC Santa Cruz alumna Alina I’vette Fernandez has built a career helping America’s largest banks operationalize their values and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Her work helps C-suite leaders understand the implications of their decisions for both employees and the communities they serve.

New exhibition explores Afrofuturism through a look at the past

The newest exhibition at the Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery explores African history and Afrofuturism through the art of current PhD candidate Aaron Samuel Mulenga. Ukupupuka: An Exploration of Transcendence integrates Mulenga’s doctoral dissertation research on World War I porters called TengaTenga with the concept of the Afronaut to explore concepts of mobility, transcendence and divinity.

A legacy of philanthropy and leadership at UC Santa Cruz

Alumnus Steve Bruce (Cowell ’79, economics) reflects on his support for his alma mater.

Fellowship to provide full tuition for up to 10 CA students to study Natural Language Processing at UC Santa Cruz

Up to ten California-residents will receive full scholarships to pursue a Masters of Science in Natural Language Processing for the 2025-26 academic year.

Annual notice on employees responsible for reporting discrimination, sexual violence, or sexual harassment

UC Santa Cruz strives to create and sustain an equitable environment for students, staff, and faculty.

Coral-reef restoration can be cost-effective for saving lives, money

A new study co-led by the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR) at UC Santa Cruz shows coral reef restoration in Florida and Puerto Rico could save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and economic interruption each year.

2024 Outstanding Staff Award honoree seeks to lift campus educators as leaders driving equitable change

Kendra Dority, director of graduate student and postdoc professional development at the Teaching and Learning Center, has been awarded the 2024 Outstanding Staff Award. "I am proud to be part of a team that is so dedicated to supporting the teaching community at UC Santa Cruz,”

Stay informed and prepared for emergencies

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Emergency Management (OEM) regularly engages with our local and statewide partners to ensure we are aware and prepared for emergencies that may impact our community. To help us reach you quickly during emergencies, please take a moment to verify that your CruzID contact information is up-to-date. This ensures that you’ll receive important campus messages across your devices.

CIDER to train 45 new commercial drone pilots during Winter and Spring Quarters

The CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER) is starting its fourth year of training new drone pilots through the CIDER Pilot Training Program.

Rick Flores named Executive Director of Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Rick Flores has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Arboretum & Botanic Garden at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Multiyear framework to balance core-funds budget

The campus Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), formed in February 2024, has provided a multiyear framework for closing our structural budget gap that already incorporates the 7.95% state budget reduction for FY 2025–26.

New data shows how ‘rage giving’ boosted immigrant-serving nonprofits during the first Trump Administration

Nonprofits that provide legal services for immigrants ended up receiving increases in public contributions in the wake of Trump's attacks on immigrants, demonstrating a backlash effect that's sometimes called “rage giving.”

Dean of Arts Celine Parreñas Shimizu’s newest work addresses sexuality and the importance of higher education and relationships between women in forging one’s power

Renowned filmmaker, film scholar, distinguished professor, and Dean of the Arts Division at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Celine Parreñas Shimizu will premiere her latest film at the 27th San Francisco’s Independent Film Festival on Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Roxie Theater.

Researchers link mysterious cosmic signals to collapsed stars

An international team of scientists has provided the clearest evidence yet that some fast radio bursts (FRBs)—enigmatic, millisecond-long flashes of radio waves from space—originate from neutron stars, the ultra-dense remnants of massive stars that have exploded in a supernova.

Supporting those affected by the Los Angeles-area wildfires

Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the horrific wildfires that continue to burn in and around Los Angeles.

Basketball great, mental health champion to headline MLK Convocation

WNBA Hall of Famer Chamique Holdsclaw, an Olympic gold medalist and mental health advocate, will address the 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation on January 30.

Researchers to develop technology for improving berry monitoring, harvesting, shipment

To investigate innovative methods to support the berry growing and harvesting process, UC Santa Cruz Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ricardo Sanfelice is launching a new agricultural technology project.

Think summer this winter

The majority of the 2025 Summer Session classes are now listed at summer.ucsc.edu. Students can search by department or by General Education requirements. Until March 15, when the Summer Quarter is live in the Schedule of Classes, the Summer Session Office is your go-to resource to plan your summer this winter. 

Enhancing street safety for the UC Santa Cruz community

UC Santa Cruz is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. To enhance safety, the campus is implementing a variety of new initiatives on campus roads.

New strontium isotope map of Sub-Saharan Africa is a powerful tool for archaeology, forensics, and wildlife conservation

Researchers mapped predicted bioavailable strontium isotope ratios across most of the African continent. Matching values from the map against those observed in artifacts and plant, animal, and human remains will help to identify their most likely regions of origin within Africa.

Complete survey for CPEVC development assessment

In accordance with University policy (Regents Policy 7702), I have appointed a confidential committee to conduct the five-year leadership development assessment of Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor (CP/EVC) Lori Kletzer, an office that she has held since June 1, 2020.