Author: Amy Ettinger
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Geek chic: big brains and great camaraderie in Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz’s supercomputer lab for undergrads
The three-year-old SLUG lab is designed for physics and astrophysics majors who want to learn to become independent scientists.
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Geek chic
Groovy couches, big brains, and great camaraderie abound in Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz’s supercomputer lab for undergrads.
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Alumni Profile / Caitlin Hernandez: Musical vision
Caitlin Hernandez was auditioning to be in a movie when she got an unexpected break: A Los Angeles director commissioned her to write and star in her own show. Hernadez (Cowell ’12, literature) has been blind since birth.
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Alumni Profile / Marc Shaffer: Seeing unconventionally
Marc Shaffer makes movies that challenge our assumptions about the world. His documentaries explore button-pushing issues ranging from immigration, drugs, and gangs to the destruction of our waterways.
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Philanthropy Focus: Investing in community
After moving “over the hill” from Silicon Valley in January, David Doolin wanted to immerse himself in Santa Cruz life and culture. Seeking a meaningful philanthropic endeavor, he joined the Chancellor’s Associates at UC Santa Cruz.
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Data dilemma
As the tide of digital information swells, so do problems and concerns—and UCSC is leading the way toward solutions.
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Philanthropy Focus / Karen Rhodes: Giving back by paying forward
Karen Rhodes has been a student, public information officer, development staff member, and an Alumni Councilor at UCSC. But one thing hasn’t changed throughout the years: She and her husband have been consistent, reliable donors.
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Engineering opportunities
Senior engineering students create design projects to address real-world problems—some with sponsorships from high-profile companies.
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Philanthropy Focus: Alums’ $1 million gift will further UCSC’s efforts in ocean health
Alums Rob and Christine Holo gave $1 million to support the Center for Ocean Health at UCSC’s Long Marine Lab, a premier research facility for coastal conservation, policy, and research.
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Uncommon People / Gail Hershatter: Bringing women’s stories to light
Gail Hershatter built a career by talking to people left out of history.
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Philanthropy Focus: Three Shakespeare Santa Cruz benefactors aim to make sure the show will go on
Audrey Stanley and Karen Sinsheimer helped launch Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and Carolyn Hyatt helped guide its course in the early years. With a boost from UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal, this formidable trio has stepped in to give the theater company a hefty financial lift with a $100,000 matching gifts program. Stanley, SSC’s founding artistic director;…
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Alumni profile/Brian Watwood and Christine Taylor: A lever to independence
A tragic accident led alumnus Brian Watwood to develop the Wijit, a lever-operated driving and braking device for wheelchairs. Fellow alum Christine Taylor later joined the venture.