University News

Sulfur Runoff Amplifies Mercury Concentrations in Florida Everglades

Katherine E Kerlin — May 08, 2025

Sulfur from sugarcane crops is flowing into wetlands in the Florida Everglades, creating toxic methylmercury, which accumulates in fish, a ��ҵ�� study finds.

Repaving Tests New Road Materials

Cody Kitaura — May 06, 2025

The University of California Pavement Research Center, or UCPRC, in collaboration with CalRecycle and Caltrans, repaved 1.1 miles of road on campus last week with innovative pavement materials made from end-of-life tires.

Aggie Square Showcases Connections

Cody Kitaura — May 06, 2025

The bonds built over eight years of planning and construction were on full display last week when hundreds gathered to celebrate Aggie Square opening its doors to the public.

The innovation district that blends public, university and private industry spaces to encourage collaboration opened Friday (May 2), welcoming attendees with displays showing work already underway and encouraging them to envision future uses for the 767,000-square-foot development.

Evolutionary Geneticist Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Andy Fell — May 06, 2025

Graham Coop, professor of evolution and ecology and director of the Center for Population Biology, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his exceptional contribution to his field. Coop is one of nearly 250 new members announced by the academy on April 23.

How Are They Biting? High Speed Video Reveals Unexpected Jaw Movements in Reef Fish

Andy Fell — May 05, 2025

Some reef fish have the unexpected ability to move their jaws from side to side, biologists at the ��ҵ�� have discovered. This ability – which is rare among vertebrate animals – allows these fish to feed rapidly and efficiently on algae growing on rocks. The work is published May 5 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Targeting Gluten: Researchers Delete Proteins in Wheat Harmful to People with Celiac Disease

Emily C Dooley — May 05, 2025

A ��ҵ�� study found that deleting a cluster of genes in wheat may reduce wheat allergies without harming breadmaking.

CHANCELL-ING: A Century of Town-Gown Partnership

Cody Kitaura — May 05, 2025

We take great pride in knowing that Davis is California’s ultimate college town. With the Davis Chamber of Commerce celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, I’d like to look back at how the city and the university have found constructive ways to work together for our broader community.

��ҵ��’ Aggie Square Formally Inaugurated: Sacramento Innovation District Comes to Life With Labs, Classrooms, Community Spaces

Julia Ann Easley — May 02, 2025

SACRAMENTO — Opening a new chapter in the ��ҵ��’ role as a regional engine of innovation and economic growth, Chancellor Gary S. May joined city of Sacramento leaders, developer Wexford Science & Technology LLC, business partners and community members Friday to inaugurate Aggie Square, the $1.1 billion innovation district that will bring together the university’s cutting-edge research with private-sector companies and startups. The chancellor also announced new partnerships to accelerate life sciences ventures at Aggie Square.

James B. Milliken Named 22nd President of the University of California

James Michael Nash — May 02, 2025

��ҵ�� Chancellor Gary S. May made the following statement about the appointment of James B. Milliken as the University of California president: “I extend my sincere congratulations to James Milliken on his selection as the next president of the University of California. With his deep roots in higher education, I know that the University is in good hands.

The Secret to Happiness Lies Within You, Or Society — Or Both

Andy Fell — May 02, 2025

What is the secret to happiness? Does happiness come from within, or is it shaped by external influences such as our jobs, health, relationships and material circumstances? A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour shows that happiness can come from either within or from external influences, from both, or neither — and which is true differs across people.

United Way Expands Collegiate Guaranteed Income Program for former Foster Youth at Sacramento State and ��ҵ��

Julia Ann Easley — May 01, 2025

Twenty former foster youth studying at Sacramento State and the ��ҵ��, received their first payments today from United Way California Capital Region’s Collegiate Guaranteed Income program that will provide them with $500 a month for one year.

Support leads to success in college

Isabella E Beristain — May 01, 2025

Read how joining a student retention initiative helped ��ҵ�� student Pat Fang find community, gain leadership skills and discover the right career path.

Among the Academies: Searching for New Ways to Treat Pain

Cody Kitaura — April 29, 2025

Bruce Hammock, a world-class scientist with worldwide impact, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he collected insects and befriended and studied snakes, lizards, frogs, raccoons, possums, a deer and assorted other critters.

Face to Face: Aggie Square’s Aims for the Region

Anila Mary Lijo — April 29, 2025

On this month’s Face to Face With Chancellor May, George Baxter, chief innovation and economic development officer, shared insights into Aggie Square, an innovation district on the Sacramento campus.

Community Invited to Celebrate Aggie Square

Cody Kitaura — April 29, 2025

Community involvement has been a key aspect of Aggie Square since the very earliest stages of its development, so it's only fitting that all are invited to help celebrate the moment the innovation district on the Sacramento campus officially opens its doors.

How Aggie Square Is Advancing Innovation in Sacramento

Jocelyn C Anderson — April 29, 2025

Learn how ��ҵ��’ Aggie Square is solving pressing challenges through collaborative research and cutting-edge technology.

Study Suggests Dance and Lullabies Aren’t Universal Human Behaviors

Andy Fell — April 29, 2025

Social singing and dance are often assumed to be hard-wired into the human condition; studies have supported the conclusion that these are common across cultures. But new research from a ��ҵ��, anthropologist challenges the idea that dance and lullabies are universal among humans.

Staff: Volunteer to Help Commencement Run Smoothly

Julie Ling Huang — April 28, 2025

To ensure that Spring Commencement runs smoothly at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento this June, organizers are inviting staff members to participate as commencement ambassadors and serve in a variety of capacities.

AVAILABLE SHIFTS

Ambassadors must be available to work a minimum of one five-hour shift and attend a virtual training session on May 14.

Shields Library Celebrates the Arboretum with Archival Exhibit

Jocelyn C Anderson — April 25, 2025

Shields Library is celebrating the ��ҵ�� Arboretum and Public Garden and its vibrant history with a new exhibit, “Community in Bloom.”

Located in the library’s lobby, the exhibit will run through summer 2025 and features more than a dozen photographs and documents from the University Archives dating back to the 1950s.

UC President Drake: The Strength That Built Us Will Sustain Us

Cody Kitaura — April 23, 2025

UC President Michael V. Drake issued the following statement today (April 23):

Dear University of California community,

The last several months have challenged our university community in many ways. We find ourselves in a moment that requires us to navigate a great deal of uncertainty every day. This is not easy, and I know that many of you are understandably anxious about what is happening around you. In times like these, it’s important to reflect on why we are all here and all the good we do at the University of California.