A Letter From the UC Office of the President

Over the past several months, thousands of UC advocates have spoken up for California research. Together, we sent nearly 14,000 emails to lawmakers, rallied at the State Capitol, and helped make research a statewide priority. 

Capturing the Cosmos

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory recently launched its 10-year astronomical survey to create the most comprehensive, cinematic record of the universe. While thousands of people played a part in making the facility a reality, Tony Tyson played a formative role, acting initially as the facility’s founding director and now its chief scientist. We sat down with Tyson to discuss his background and the technology behind the Rubin Observatory’s revolutionary camera.

Beatriz Cortez Named 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellow

Beatriz Cortez, a multidisciplinary artist and professor of Chicana/o/x studies at UC Davis, has been named a 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellow, which includes $60,000 in direct, unrestricted funding distributed over five years alongside learning, peer engagement and network-building opportunities.

To the Stars: Physics Alum Builds a Career in Rocket Propulsion

UC Davis alum Roderic Vanderscoff always had his eyes on the stars. His love for space exploration was forged in his youth, informed by penchants for stargazing and science fiction, and conversations with his grandfather, an aerospace engineer who worked on the Apollo program. Today, Vanderscoff is following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

In Memoriam – Konstantinos Papamichael

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Konstantinos “Kosta” Papamichael, a visionary researcher, educator, and leader in the field of daylighting design and founder of the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis.

How Does the Human Brain Help Us Navigate?

Researchers at the Center for Mind and Brain have a rare opportunity to partner with epilepsy patients in an experiment that will help us understand how the brain navigates us through the world from the neurons up.