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The official account of the Science Division at UC Santa Cruz. 🐋🧬🪐🦠 Providing you with regular doses of High Impact Science!
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Fall quarter is officially in full swing🍂 Programs like Global and Community Health (GCH) give you in-class and career experience you need to pursue a career in public health or professional school to become a doctor, dentist, or pursue other medical pathways. On Sept. 22, @ucsc.gch hosted a major orientation to give students an overview of the program, degree requirements, what to expect from both the GCH B.A. and GCH B.S. degrees, and to meet program staff and faculty. If you missed it, you can always connect with an advisor by scheduling an appointment on their website: gch.ucsc.edu. global and community health faculty and staff holding orientation sign
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Cal Teach students and staff enjoyed a beautiful morning at Pinnacles National Park last week to kick off fall quarter! 🐿️ The weather was perfect for a nice hike and picnic lunch 🥾Thank you to our DDE partners @ucscscience for funding all our amazing STEM Enrichment Field Trips this past year!
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🎗️Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we're marking it with a milestone for our clinical lab: The Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, the clinical arm of the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute's Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative, has earned accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP)! Why it matters: Most genomic tests look for mutations in a tumor's DNA, but because pediatric cancers carry far fewer mutations than adult cancers, these tests often come up empty. The Treehouse CARE analysis, developed by Professor Olena Vaske and her team, looks at RNA instead to see which genes a tumor has switched on or off. In the team's published study of relapsed, refractory, and rare cancers, their approach turned up findings of potential clinical significance in 94% of patients. Sometimes, these findings can point toward existing drugs or clinical trials that a mutation test would miss, meaning that the patient can start on a potentially life-saving treatment right away. CAP accreditation is voluntary and sets a higher bar than the mandatory federal CLIA certification. The team hopes it will help open the door to insurance reimbursement and partnerships with new hospitals, broadening access to many more families. Congratulations to the whole Colligan Lab team! 👏 🔗 Read the full story at the link in bio. #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #ChildhoodCancer #PediatricCancer #CancerResearch 📷 Anouk van den Bout, Jaidan Jenkins-Kiefer, Joanna Moreno, Maryke Grobler, and Professor of MCD Biology Olena Vaske in the Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Lab for pediatric cancer, with a CAP accredited icon below 📷 A graphic reads “We’re proud to be a CAP accredited laboratory, delivering optimal care, evolving with innovation in laboratory medicine.
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I forgot to post these, but I did graduate last year!! 🎓🍾🌊 UCSC changed my life and fulfilled all of my childhood dreams, and for that I am forever thankful! Thank you @jaden.harding for the pictures of course Thank you @ucsc for the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology 🦭 Thank you @xandraswimwear for the dress
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🚨new press release🚨 El Niño is here, and forecast confidence is increasing that this even could be the largest on record, potentially historic. In anticipation of this event, the Nearshore Ecology Research Group launched a study earlier this year to study El Niño's impacts on kelp forests. Our team will continue sampling through the fall and winter to evaluate ecosystem responses in real-time. Head to the link in our bio to see the latest press release on our active research. #elniño #scubadiving #marinescience #ocean #kelpforest
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Banana Slugs and world-class research go hand-in-hand. 🏆 🪸 🌌 We are proud to announce that U.S. News & World Report ranks UC Santa Cruz number 1 in the nation for studying marine and freshwater biology and a stellar 7th among all U.S. universities for space science. From the depths of the ocean to the outer reaches of the cosmos, UCSC continues to set the bar for our global research and student success. Every breakthrough in our labs and out in the field reflects the curiosity that drives our campus community. We will continue building on this powerful foundation, advancing research that makes a difference, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, explorers, and leaders to dive into the unknown. 📸 Image descriptions: 1- Close-up of a yellow jellyfish floating in water against a blurred background. Text reads: “UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 1 in the nation for studying Marine and Freshwater Biology. U.S. News & World Report 2026” 2- Two students sitting on Porter Swiggle looking up at a clear starry sky. Text reads: “UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 7 U.S. universities for Space Science. U.S. News & World Report 2026” Close-up of a yellow jellyfish floating in water against a blurred background. Text reads: “UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 1 in the nation for studying Marine and Freshwater Biology. U.S. News & World Report 2026”
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It's time to bring complete genome sequencing to the clinic 🧬🩺 Less than five years after first sequencing a human genome from end to end, we are working on making complete sequencing practical for personalized medicine. "Telomere-to-telomere" genome sequencing has already provided answers for patients with rare diseases whose genetic origins could not be determined by older sequencing methods. Access to more streamlined complete genome sequencing could have a huge and almost immediate impact for millions of patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases. This is a large collaborative project with researchers from all over the globe, led by @ucsc and @johnhopkinsu and funded by @nihgov Read more at news.ucsc.edu! A large group of more than a hundred researchers stand on a stairway, making "Ts" with their hands.
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Where are they now?🌲💫 Class of 2025: One Year Later Driven by a passion for scientific discovery, Owen Moosman (Stevenson '25, molecular, cell & developmental biology) channeled his fascination with genomics into a high-impact career in health research. Today, he is a research associate at @ucsf, where he interfaces with physicians, scientists, and students while studying autoimmune responses. Attracted to UC Santa Cruz for its global reputation in genomics and RNA research, Owen analyzed pediatric cancer bioinformatics in the Treehouse Undergraduate Bioinformatics Immersion (TUBI) group and studied fish adaptation to extreme environments with the Kelley Lab. Owen viewed his undergrad as a space to grow as both a researcher and a resource for others. Balancing his studies with his role as a Stevenson College peer advisor, he developed a mix of analytical precision and collaborative confidence. Today, Owen works as a research associate in the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department at the University of California, San Francisco. In the future, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. and continue in healthcare research. Life Beyond the Redwoods features ten Class of 2025 alumni who share how their time at UC Santa Cruz prepared them to launch their careers one year after graduation. Head to the link in @ucsc's bio to read more about Owen's story. 📸 Image descriptions: 1- Owen Moosman smiling in front of the ocean on campus wearing a UCSC cap, gown, and stole. Text reads: “Where Are They Now? Class of 2025: One Year Later, Research Associate, University of California, San Francisco” 2- Kresge College with text that reads: “ ‘I was exposed to diverse research experiences during my time at UC Santa Cruz. This not only helped me decide what kind of career I wanted to pursue, but also taught me invaluable skills that made me a competitive candidate for future prospects.' - Owen Moosman” (Image descriptions continued in comments) 1- Owen Moosman smiling in front of the ocean on campus wearing a UCSC cap, gown, and stole. Text reads: “Where Are They Now? Class of 2025: One Year Later, Research Associate, University of California, San Francisco”
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CALeDNA has been streaming all summer! Stream photo reel comin right up! Thanks to all the collaborators and volunteers far and wide that made this field season a success💗 #CALeDNA
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Meet Varad Desai, a first year microbiology student at UC Santa Cruz, who discovered an immersive field opportunity! 🦭🌊 Thanks to the Degree-Defining Experiences Program, Varad participated in the Año Nuevo Research Ambassador Program, where he introduced visitors to its unique coastal ecosystem. Through hands-on experience, he gained confidence in science communication, expanded his knowledge of marine mammals, and explored different niches within biology. The program helped him see how educating the public about wildlife can deepen people’s appreciation of the natural world. 💡The Degree-Defining Experiences Program offers transformational learning opportunities for UC Santa Cruz undergraduates in the form of experiential field courses and other activities outside the classroom. Learn more or support the program! Visit the link in @ucsc’s bio or email amberwyld@ucsc.edu. 🎥 Video description: Varad discusses his experience in the Año Nuevo Research Ambassador Program. Shown over b-roll of elephant seals, whales, working near the ocean, and being interviewed while sitting outdoors.
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Where are they now?🌲💫 Class of 2025: One Year Later Max Deneroff (Crown ‘25, human biology) leveraged his science foundation at UC Santa Cruz to pave his way to medical school. During his time on campus, he shadowed cardiac specialists during a clinical internship at Sutter Health, guided incoming students as a peer advisor, and co-founded the Campus Minds Advocacy Club to foster student mental health and well-being. Growing up in San Diego surrounded by a supportive community, Max spent summers mentoring children on the autism spectrum. “It is the combination of all these factors, along with support from my family and guidance from my mentors, that shaped my aspirations to enter the field of medicine and what led me to UCSC.” These experiences further solidified the importance of empathy, patience, and creating inclusive spaces for others. Today, Max is a medical student at Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, balancing hands-on clinical training and community health outreach. Life Beyond the Redwoods features ten Class of 2025 alumni who share how their time at UC Santa Cruz prepared them to launch their careers one year after graduation. Head to the link in @ucsc’s bio to read more about Max’s story. 📸 Image descriptions: 1- Max Deneroff smiling in front of the UCSC sign wearing a UCSC stole. Text reads: “Where Are They Now? Class of 2025: One Year Later, Max Deneroff, Medical Student at Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine” 2- Redwood tree and bridge with text that reads: “ ‘UC Santa Cruz is filled with supportive and caring faculty who helped guide me over my four years there. They genuinely care about each student’s success and well-being and were always willing to go the extra mile to help me reach my goals.’ - Max Deneroff” (Image descriptions continued in comments) Max Deneroff smiling in front of the UCSC sign wearing a UCSC stole. Text reads: “Where Are They Now? Class of 2025: One Year Later, Max Deneroff, Medical Student at Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine”
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🚨 Imposter alert: The “American cheetah” wasn’t a cheetah at all! 🐆❄️ A new analysis of its DNA has found that although the extinct Miracinonyx trumani looked like a cheetah, it was actually a puma that ranged from Florida in the south all the way to the Yukon in the north. The research team, led by @ucsc, found incredible genetic diversity in this species that impacted the ways it survived in different climates. While southern populations were more generalized hunters of wild game, their Arctic counterparts carved out a niche as fish specialists, likely feeding on salmon. 🐟 “These cats were remarkably flexible, much like pumas are across their range today,” said Molly Cassatt-Johnstone, a Ph.D. candidate in the Paleogenomics Lab at UC Santa Cruz and lead author of the study. “We found loss-of-function mutations in certain genes that regulate circadian rhythms, suggesting they may have adapted to the extreme light cycles of summers and winters in northern latitudes.” The study also offers a sobering look at extinction. M. trumani did not experience a sudden collapse, but underwent a slow, long-term decline in genetic diversity and was unable to adapt when the climate shifted. Research led by the UCSC Genomics Institute’s Paleogenomics Lab, with collaborators at @uafairbanks, the @yukongov , and @dmualumn 📷 Artistic rendering by Julius Csotonyi illustrating the differences in feeding habits of ancient Miracinonyx trumani populations in the Yukon (left) versus in Wyoming (right). 📷 Miracinonyx trumani skull fragments recovered deep underground from Natural Trap Cave, Wyo. (Credit: Julie Meachen) 📷 Illustration by Velizar Simeonovski of a Miracinonyx trumani chasing after a Saiga antelope.
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