Earth & Space
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Whales and the stories they carry about climate change are the subject of new art and science exhibition at the IAS
A new exhibit at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences at UC Santa Cruz merges cutting-edge whale research with immersive art to tell powerful, interdisciplinary stories about climate change and ecological justice.
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‘Selfish’ genes called introners proven to be a major source of genetic complexity
UC Santa Cruz researchers are studying the ways certain genetic elements hide and make copies of themselves, so they can propagate within a species’ DNA, or even hop from one species to an unrelated one in a process called “horizontal gene transfer.”
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The ripple effect of small earthquakes near major faults
Minor quakes can disrupt natural tectonic patterns deep underground and change stress landscape, new study finds
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Stories in the sky: UC Santa Cruz student connects cultural tradition through the stars
Piramon Kumnurdmanee amplifies inclusivity in astronomy, showcasing indigenous stories and practices on her self-produced website, Culture in the Cosmos.
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Planting seeds of change: Sheyna Burns reimagines agriculture practices
UCSC undergraduate researcher Sheyna Burns (Oakes ’26) is pioneering inclusive agricultural research and entrepreneurship through her campus-based Sankofa Sky Farm, developing a statewide food hub aimed at supporting more equitable farming, and more.
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Rhythmically trained sea lion returns for an encore—and performs as well as humans
Ronan, the only non-human mammal to demonstrate highly precise beat keeping, continues to challenge our understanding of biomusicality
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Acclaimed evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro elected to National Academy of Sciences
The academy provides science, engineering, and health-policy advice to the federal government and other organizations.
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The Science Division announces recipients of Distinguished Alumni Awards
Gabriel Filippelli, Aradhna Tripati, and Seath Brook Ahrens are this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients for the Science Division
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Exploring the edges of science
Alumnus Jonathan Trent is a marine biologist and former NASA scientist whose groundbreaking work spans ocean research, space science, and sustainable technology.
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Coveted awards fuel astronomy, astrophysics research
Third-year undergraduate Isabelle “Izzy” Connor and two Ph.D. candidates at other universities have recently won awards to further their research in astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz. Connor (Crown ‘26, astrophysics) is a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholar, an honor awarded by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program to second- and third-year…
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Lick Observatory to mark 150 years of discovery and innovation
Serving nine UC campuses and two national laboratories, Lick Observatory continues to be at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries and innovation, training the next generation of astronomers and astrophysicists.
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David Deamer wins 2025 SETI Institute’s Drake Award
The award celebrates remarkable achievements in the realms of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.