University News & Events

• March 19, 2025

  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.

• March 18, 2025

  UCSC Dining Serves Up Success at Clam Chowder Cook-Off

  UCSC Dining Services showcased their culinary talents at the 44th annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off, earning three awards—including 1st Place People’s Choice for Manhattan Clam Chowder—and celebrating a total of 25 wins since first competing in 2004.

• March 18, 2025

  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.

• March 17, 2025

  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.

• March 17, 2025

  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.

• March 13, 2025

  An interview with Jennifer Finney Boylan: Celebrated trans author and advocate visits UC Santa Cruz during a critical moment for trans rights

  Bestselling author Jennifer Finney Boylan, one of the nation’s most influential and recognizable advocates for trans rights, is currently serving as scholar-in-residence at UC Santa Cruz during a fraught time for both trans rights and the humanities.

• March 12, 2025

  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.

• March 12, 2025

  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.

• March 11, 2025

  Supporting early career alums: Finding hope in challenging times

  In a time of uncertainty, where environmental challenges grow more complex and the future feels unpredictable, two UC Santa Cruz alumni share their insights on adapting to professional challenges while staying true to their core values.

• March 11, 2025

  New eye-tracking VR experience, Face Jumping, debuts at SXSW

  The independent art and creative studio Tender Claws, co-led by Assistant Teaching Professor of Computational Media Samantha Gorman, will debut Face Jumping at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) XR Experience Exhibition running March 9-11 in Austin, Texas.

• March 11, 2025

  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.

• March 10, 2025

  Critical Imagination in Crisis Times: A Conference on the power of the Humanities at UC Santa Cruz

  In times of growing inequality, political upheaval, and climate crisis, how do we imagine a different future, one that breaks free from the cycles of crisis and oppression?  This question will be explored in depth at UC Santa Cruz's Critical Imagination in Crisis Times conference at Merrill College on Tuesday, March 11.

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