Tran, L. (BMEB) - Polysome Shadowing: A Long-Read Sequencing Approach to Study Translation
2025-12-11 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Biomedical Sciences Building, 575 McLaughlin Drive
Translation is a central and highly regulated step of gene expression, yet there are few quantitative, high-throughput tools to study translation. Existing methods such as sucrose gradients provide only bulk ribosome counts, while Ribo-Seq offers positional information in the genome but destroys long-range structure and transcript expression information. Because of these limitations, many fundamental questions about mRNA translation into protein remain difficult to assay. In this proposal, I outline my plans to develop a novel technology, deemed Polysome Shadowing, that covalently marks ribosome-unprotected regions of RNA with hyperactive base editors. Because ribosomes protect ~21–30 nt regions of mRNAs, ribosome “shadows” appear as tracts of unedited bases in long-read sequencing. In Aim 1, I will identify ribosome shadows on single molecules by increasing editing efficiency through optimization of dual cytosine and adenosine base editors and statistical modeling. In Aim 2, I will maximize the accuracy of information recovered from highly-edited RNAs by developing a multipass library preparation protocol to generate high-confidence reads. In Aim 3, I will apply the tools I have already developed to examine previously difficult-to-assay paradigms of translational control in the form of viral frameshifting mechanisms. Together, completion of these aims will build an information-rich sequencing technology capable of positioning ribosomes on intact mRNAs while preserving long-range information and establish feasibility to study nascent paradigms.
Host: Liam Tran, Ph.D. Student, Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
Advisor: Joshua Arribere

Chambers, K. (BMEB) - Using Genomics and Artificial Intelligence to improve prognosis for osteosarcoma patients
2025-12-11 12:00 - 14:00
Transcriptomic profiling has been transformative in pediatric oncology. Pediatric cancers arise from disrupted developmental programs. Their impaired transcriptional states reflect cell lineage infidelity, aberrant differentiation, and immune-microenvironment interactions distinct from those of adult tumors(Gröbner et al., 2018; X. Ma et al., 2018). Within the osteosarcoma (OS) landscape, despite being the most common bone tumor of childhood, it remains one of the least genomically characterized pediatric cancers. Advancements in survival for localized disease, outcomes for metastatic or recurrent OS have remained stagnant for decades. Transcriptomics characterization of OS has facilitated the exposure of the unique chromothripsis patterns associated with the disease (Sayles et al., 2019; Schott et al., 2023). Largely, progress in OS genomics is still limited by the lack of harmonized, cross-study datasets accessible to researchers. I detail my contributions to OS research, beginning with the curation of the largest publicly available and harmonized RNA-sequencing osteosarcoma dataset (Chapter 2). A continuous part of my research involved the systematic democratization, aggregation, harmonization, and open sharing of pediatric cancer transcriptomic datasets within the Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative (Beale et al., 2025). This dataset provided a foundation for the analyses and discoveries presented in this dissertation. I utilize the multi-cohort and transcriptomic multi-omic public OS dataset to discover and define biologically meaningful subtypes that may explain differences in progression and treatment response (Chapter 3). Finally, I expand these advanced computational approaches into the realm of diagnostic pathology by evaluating strategies for integrating generative AI into rare cancer classification. I leverage both general and domain-specific diffusion models alongside GPT-4o–generated pathology prompts to guide histologic image synthesis (Chapter 4). In summary, my work advances transcriptional subtyping in OS by leveraging transcriptomic data to identify molecular subtypes of OS that could inform treatment strategies.
Host: Krizia Chambers, Ph.D. Candidate, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
Advisor: Olena Vaske
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93569812001?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode- 915392

Laffan, N. (CM) - Digital Memory Tools and Their Impact On Collective Remembering
2025-12-11 13:00 - 15:00
Today, both individual and collective memories are increasingly mediated by digital platforms. Both are fundamentally enmeshed in platform ecosystems that orient around commercial imperatives very much at odds with community cohesion. The digital archive where our mediated memories are stored does not merely store information but actively inscribes it, often privileging narratives aligned with commercial incentives rather than community cohesion. This invisibility is a problem: as we offload our personal memories onto commercial tools, we unwittingly subject our shared past to algorithmic curation and “algo-time,” which raises serious questions about how the use of our personal devices is quietly restructuring the way societies remember.
During this presentation, I will propose a three-pronged method of investigating and engaging in this conceptual space. All three prongs revolve around a shared question : how do the technologies that extend our personal memories affect what we remember collectively? The research first establishes a conceptual ecology around the question by tracing the lifecycle of a single image from individual capture to platform archive. Second, it employs Research through Design (RtD) and speculative design methods to prototype tools explicitly built for collective remembrance rather than commercial extraction. Finally, it utilizes artistic practice to “diffract” these concepts, creating interactive installations that expose the distortions and contradictions inherent in digital memory. Together, these projects aim to make visible the hidden dynamics that shape the memories we construct together.
Host: Nate Laffan, Ph.D. Student, Computational Media
Advisor: Nathan Altice
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93762016105?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode- 668969

ECE Supervision and Administration Info Session
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Step into leadership in early childhood education.
The need for skilled supervisors and administrators in early learning programs continues to grow. Childcare centers, preschools, and early education organizations all rely on leaders who can manage teams, ensure quality, and meet state standards.
We’ll explore the key roles in early childhood supervision and administration—site director, program manager, owner/operator—and the essential skills to lead with confidence.
Topics

Curriculum planning
Staff development
Budgeting
Compliance
Best practices shaping the field

Speaker
Program Chair Ninet Moradi will lead our session while offering an inside look at how our flexible, fully online professional certificate helps you meet state permit requirements and advance your career in early childhood leadership.
This winter info session is sponsored by the ECE Supervision and Administration certificate program.

Register today.

Science in the Neighborhood: The End Game: Discovering how telomeres cause disease
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Coastal Biology Building, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Science In the Neighborhood
A public lecture series hosted quarterly by the UC Santa Cruz Science Division
The End Game: Discovering how telomeres cause disease
Presentation by Carol Greider, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Q&A with Susan Carpenter, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Telomeres, the ends of chromosomes, play a pivotal role in human disease. Short telomeres cause age-related degenerative disease, while long telomeres predispose people to cancer. That’s why understanding how telomere length is regulated is so critical. Dr. Greider’s research is uncovering the mechanism of telomere length regulation so that we can devise approaches for disease treatment. By using new DNA-sequencing technology in a novel way, her team made a surprising discovery: Each chromosome end has a unique telomere-length distribution that is different from other chromosome ends. Dr. Greider will explain how this finding will help us better understand the role of telomeres in disease.
The event is in-person only. Register here.
December 11, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Coastal Biology Building. Rm. 110
UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus
130 McAllister Way
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The screenshot below shows where to find the entrance of the Coastal Biology Building.

Project and Program Management Info Session
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Advance your career in project and program management.
As organizations tackle more complex initiatives, the demand for skilled project leaders continues to grow. Learn how professionals across industries use Agile methods, AI tools, and data-driven insights to manage scope, schedule, and cost effectively.
Join Tim Bombosch, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Project and Program Management program, for an inside look at how our courses can help you strengthen your leadership, planning, and communication skills to deliver results and move your career forward.
This winter info session is sponsored by the Project and Program Management program.
Register today.

Marketing Management Info Session
2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Shape the future of marketing in the age of AI.
As digital transformation accelerates, organizations need marketers who can blend creativity with data-driven insight. Learn how professionals in Silicon Valley use analytics, automation, and AI-powered tools to design integrated campaigns, engage customers, and measure real results.
Join Ly-Huong Pham, Ph.D., M.B.A., chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Marketing Management program, for an inside look at how our updated courses can help you strengthen your skills in marketing strategy, digital media, and performance analytics—equipping you to lead in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.
This winter info session series is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Marketing Management program.
Register today.

Pre-College Program Info Session
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Learn more about UCSC Pre-College Programs
Discover what’s possible in Summer 2026! Join us for a one-hour online info session to learn about our Pre-College Programs, including courses, eligibility, and how students can get a head start on college and career pathways.
Register today.

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum
2026-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide, and the people who join in. For example, you might learn about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with our extreme weather and climate conditions. Tours are free with paid admission.

Bioinformatics Info Session
2026-01-05 05:00 - 18:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Lead the next wave of innovation in life sciences and data.
As biotechnology and data analytics converge, the demand for professionals who can interpret complex biological data and drive discovery continues to grow. Learn how experts in bioinformatics use computational tools, programming, and molecular biology to transform raw data into scientific and medical insights.
Your Speaker
Join us to discover what’s ahead for our program—including welcoming our program chair, Darryl León, launching updated courses, and integrating practical AI tools across the curriculum. Darryl will provide an inside look at how our courses can help you strengthen your skills in data analysis, genomics, and software tools—preparing you to contribute to advances in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Bioinformatics certificate program.
Claim your seat!

CM Seminar - "How Technology-Mediated Food Interactions Support Family Connection and Routine Reconstruction"
2026-01-05 12:30 - 13:30 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Presented by: Aswati Panicker
Description: “In this talk, I draw on work in human-food interaction (HFI) to examine how food can serve as a rich interaction medium for connection and routine reconstruction in long-distance families. I highlight insights from three of my studies that explore this question across different technological forms. First, I discuss how families navigate shifting meanings of “healthy eating” during life transitions, and the tensions that arise when disclosing new goals and priorities in health-sharing or tracking tools. Second, I show how family members expressed hesitations, value conflicts, and visions for cultural or playful moments when imagining embodied technology such as a social robot within their domestic spaces. Third, through a mobile app probe for teaching food knowledge and recipes, I uncover the subtleties of how family members seek to initiate, learn, guide, or be guided through everyday food practices. Throughout, I outline design implications and close by reflecting on how technology-mediated food interactions might extend to other contexts and routines beyond family life.”
Bio: Aswati Panicker is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz, working with Prof. Christina Chung. Her research is at the intersection of HCI and CSCW, focusing on how technologies are designed and used in social and health-related contexts. She takes a human-centered, participatory approach and draws on theories from family studies and sociology in her work. She earned her PhD in Informatics from Indiana University Bloomington in July 2025. You can read more at aswatipanicker.com

Hosted by: Professor Christina Chung
When: Monday, January 5, 2026 from 12:30PM to 1:30PM
Location:
IN-PERSON @ SVC 3212.
Viewing room @ UCSC Main Campus, E2-280.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AT BOTH LOCATIONS! Faculty and students are highly encouraged to attend.
Zoom info:
https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98742808551?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 987 4280 8551
Passcode: [REDACTED]

AM Seminar with Dr. Truong Vu
2026-01-05 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
Presenter: Dr. Truong Vu, IPAM and MSU
Description: We present a framework for the gradient flow of sharp-interface surface energies that couple to embedded curvature active agents. We use a penalty method to develop families of locally incompressible gradient flows that couple interface stretching or compression to local flux of interfacial mass. We establish the convergence of the penalty method to an incompressible flow both formally for a broad family of surface energies and rigorously for a more narrow class of surface energies.
Bio: Dr. Vu received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Vu is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (UCLA) and a visiting faculty in the Department of Mathematics at Michigan State University.
Hosted by: Applied Mathematics

Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering Info Session
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Build the semiconductors powering the future.
With the global demand for advanced chips on the rise, engineers who can design, simulate, and optimize integrated circuits are highly sought after. Learn how professionals in Silicon Valley develop digital and analog systems, apply verification methodologies, and leverage modern EDA tools to bring innovative designs from concept to silicon.
Speaker
Join Arvind Vidyarthi, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering program, for an inside look at how our courses provide hands-on experience, industry-relevant skills, and the practical knowledge needed to pursue careers in chip design, verification, and semiconductor engineering.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering program.

Register today!

BME 280B Seminar: Nature’s Miniature Masterpieces - Nanobodies as Small but Mighty Antibodies for the next Pandemic
2026-01-08 11:40 - 13:15 | Physical Sciences Building, Physical Sciences Building, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Katja Hanack, Founder and CEO, New/Era/Mabs
Description: Nanobodies combine remarkable simplicity with surprising power. Their small size allows them to reach targets that remain inaccessible to conventional antibodies, while maintaining high specificity and stability. Their compact architecture allows them to access targets that conventional antibodies cannot reach, yet they preserve the specificity and power that make antibody therapeutics so transformative. In this talk I will introduce the science behind selma, a cell based discovery platform developed over more than a decade to rapidly identify high quality antibodies and nanobodies. I will explore why these tiny binders matter, how they differ from classical antibodies, and what their unique biology enables for diagnostics and therapeutics.
The presentation will conclude with my current project on immune infrastructure and how pre validated nanobody archives can shift the pandemic response from a reactive model to proactive preparedness for future outbreaks.
Bio: Katja Hanack, PhD, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of new/era/mabs and a leading expert in antibody discovery for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, with a particular focus on nanobody technologies. With more than 20 years of experience, she has developed pioneering platforms that enable the efficient generation and selection of next-generation monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies. She holds a Biology degree from Humboldt University of Berlin and a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Potsdam. As a former Professor of Biochemistry and Biology at the University of Potsdam, she built and led a research group of 25 scientists, secured over €16 million in external funding, and authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Since 2017, Dr. Hanack has contributed to translational innovation as an industrial advisor for SPARK Stanford and SPARK Berlin, supporting academic teams in bringing biomedical discoveries to patients.
Hosted by: Professor Rebecca Dubois, BME Department

AI Application Development Program Info Session
2026-01-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Lead Innovation as a Machine Learning Engineer.
As AI becomes central to products and services across industries, there’s a growing demand for professionals who can design, build and deploy intelligent services & systems. Learn how you can preprocess data, develop Machine Learning models, apply Deep Learning techniques, and create AI solutions that solve real‑world problems.
Speaker
Join Praveen Krishna, chair of the Artificial Intelligence Application Development program, for an inside look at how our courses provide hands‑on experience, industry‑driven projects, and the technical foundation you need to advance your career as an ML Engineer, MLOps Engineer, or Applied AI Researcher.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the AI Application Development program.

Register today!

Kathleen Schmidt: Sequential Experimental Design for Materials Strength Model Calibration
2026-01-12 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
Presenter: Katie Schmidt, UQ & Optimization Group Leader, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Description: Due to the time and expense associated with physical experiments, there is significant interest in optimal selection of the conditions for future experiments. Selection based on reduction in parameter uncertainty provides a natural path forward. We consider this type of optimal sequential design in the context of Bayesian calibration of materials strength models with the strength model characterizing the evolving resistance of a material to permanent strain. This problem is particularly challenging because different types of experiments and associated diagnostics are employed across strain rate regimes. For lower-strain-rate experiments, stress-strain curves can be measured directly. For higher-strain-rate experiments, strength must be inferred (e.g., from the deformation of a cylinder of material in a Taylor cylinder experiment). We employ data fusion in our sequential design methodology to incorporate these multiple experimental modalities.
LLNL-ABS-835231 This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.
Bio: Katie Schmidt is the UQ & Optimization Group Leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She joined LLNL in 2016 after earning a PhD in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University. During her time at the lab, Katie has been involved in a variety of uncertainty quantification problems related to national security as well as outreach and education through LLNL’s Data Science Institute. Her research interests include mixed-effects models, Bayesian inference, sequential design, and sensitivity analysis.
Hosted by: Statistics Department

AM Seminar: Science in the Age of Foundation Models
2026-01-12 16:00 - 17:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/96136632376?pwd=[REDACTED]
Presenter: Dr. Danielle Robinson, AWS AI
Description: In this talk, I will discuss the large impact of foundation models within the sciences with a particular focus on the importance of physical constraints and uncertainty quantification. First, I will detail our novel ProbConserv framework for enforcing hard constraints within black-box deep learning models. ProbConserv provides uncertainty quantification, and can be used to enforce conservation law constraints as well as other nonlinear constraints. Next, I will discuss its extensions to ensembles of Neural Operators and out-of-distribution (OOD) estimations, as well as how it can be used in constrained generative modeling of PDEs. I will then show applications of our work in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including weather forecasting, aerodynamics and chaotic systems. Lastly, I will conclude with a forward-looking view of the next steps for designing a physics foundation model that can be applied across various types of flows, geometries and boundary conditions, and what is needed for such a model to be developed.

Bio: Danielle Maddix Robinson is a Senior Applied Scientist in the Machine Learning Forecasting Group within AWS AI. She graduated with her PhD in Computational and Mathematical Engineering from the Institute of Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME) at Stanford University. She was advised by Professor Margot Gerritsen and developed robust numerical methods to remove spurious temporal oscillations in the degenerate nonlinear Generalized Porous Medium Equation. She is passionate about the underlying numerical analysis, linear algebra and optimization methods behind numerical PDEs and applying these techniques to deep learning. During her PhD, she also did an internship at NVIDIA with Joe Eaton and Alex Fender, and implemented an efficient and load-balanced sparse matrix vector multiplication (spmv) in cuSPARSE and nvGRAPH libraries. She is excited to be back at NVIDIA today. After graduating, Danielle joined AWS in 2018, and has been working on developing statistical and deep learning foundation models for time series forecasting including Chronos. Over the last several years, she has been leading the research initiative on developing models for physics-constrained machine learning for scientific computing on the DeepEarth team. In particular, she has researched how to apply ideas from numerical methods, e.g., finite volume schemes, to improve the accuracy of black-box ML models for PDEs with applications to ocean and climate models, aerodynamics and chaotic systems.

Hosted by: Applied Mathematics

Link: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/96136632376?pwd=[REDACTED]

Clinical Trials Design and Management Info Session
2026-01-12 17:00 - 18:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
This event has been moved to Jan. 12.
Advance your career in the global clinical research industry.
As the demand for safe, effective therapies grows, so does the need for professionals who can lead clinical trials with scientific precision and regulatory expertise. Learn how experts design and manage studies that bring medical innovations from the lab to the marketplace—applying biostatistics, good clinical practices, and international regulations to ensure safety and compliance.
Speaker
Join Karim Sajwani, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Clinical Trials Design and Management program, for an inside look at how our courses prepare you to coordinate cross-functional teams, oversee global trials, and navigate complex approval processes that shape the future of healthcare.

Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the Clinical Trials Design and Management program.
Note: This event was formerly scheduled for Jan. 5.
Claim your seat.

Be Inspired: Explore Graduate Studies in STEM
2026-01-12 17:00 - 18:30 | CA
Not sure if graduate school is right for you?
Join us to learn what graduate school is really about and explore whether it’s the right path for you. We’ll cover topics such as qualifying exams, funding options, common misconceptions, and more!
Click the link below to register for the event:
https://ucsc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_31OHhwc7QPqJ7nSyiuAUNg

Macroeconomics & International Finance Seminar Series Presents: Dean Corbae
2026-01-13 13:40 - 15:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Macroeconomics and International Finance Seminar
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 1:40-3:00 p.m.
Location: E2-499

Speaker: Dean Corbae
Title: William Sellery Trukenbrod Chair in Finance
Affiliation: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Host: Grace Gu Steadmon

Seminar title: A Quantitative Model of Bank Merger Dynamics

ABSTRACT:
We develop a simple model of the bank merger process to study the rise in bank concentration following the deregulation of bank branching in the Riegle-Neal Act of 1994. Motivated by the data where currently 10 (dominant) banks have over 55 percent of the U.S. deposit market share while the remaining over 4000 (fringe) banks cover the rest, we apply a dominant-fringe framework with a merger stage to model the rise in concentration following the change in regulation making interstate branching possible. First, we study the effect of the merger wave on competition, efficiency, and stability of the banking industry. Then we use our model to understand the interaction between regulatory and monetary policy. Specifically, how has the bank lending channel of monetary policy been affected by rising concentration; has it amplified or dampened the effectiveness of monetary policy? How might monetary policy itself contribute to mergers and rising concentration?

Labor Against ICE
2026-01-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Merrill Cultural Center, 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Trump’s second term has been marked by a dramatic increase in immigration enforcement operations, including the deployment of federal and national guard troops to major cities across the United States. Ramped-up ICE raids have resulted in injuries, deaths, and the disappearance of migrants and non migrants alike. As legal challenges demanding the cessation of indiscriminate workplace and neighborhood raids have largely failed, how are workers and communities fighting back? This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Refreshments provided. Immigrant and labor rights organizations will also be tabling.
Please join UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Labor and Community for a panel discussion with co-founder of LA Educators for Racial Justice (LAE4RJ), Denisha Jordan (United Teachers Los Angeles), founder of OEA Rapid Response Team and dual-language teacher, Jessie Papalia (Oakland Education Association), Emergency Medicine Resident, SatKartar Khalsa (SEIU 1021 Committee of Interns and Residents), Alex Quintero (@allthingslabor), and regional labor and community organizer Cesar Lara (California Federation of Labor) to learn how labor is organizing to defend migrants on the job.
RSVP HERE
Español_Labor_Against_ICE
English_Labor Against ICE

Medical Device Quality and Design Info Session
2026-01-13 18:00 - 19:00 | CA
Advance your career in medical device design and quality.
As healthcare technology evolves, professionals who understand global regulatory standards, risk management, and quality systems are in high demand. Learn how to design, document, and validate medical devices, digital health solutions, and AI/ML-based devices while ensuring compliance with FDA, ISO, and EU MDR requirements.
Speaker
Join Kiran Gulati, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Medical Device Quality and Design program, for an inside look at how our courses provide hands-on training, practical case studies, and industry-relevant skills that prepare you for roles in quality engineering, regulatory compliance, and design assurance.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the Medical Device Quality and Design certificate program.
Register today!

User Experience and Web Design info session
2026-01-13 18:00 - 19:00 | CA
Design digital experiences people love to use.
In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, organizations need professionals who can combine empathy, usability, and aesthetics to create interfaces that engage and delight users. Learn how UX and web design specialists use research‑driven methods, prototyping tools, and inclusive design principles to build seamless digital experiences across platforms.
Your Speaker
Join Nicole Sharratt, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension User Experience & Web Design program, for an inside look at how our courses equip you with the skills to lead user‑centered design projects—whether you’re shaping websites, apps or digital products.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by UCSC Silicon Valley Extension User Experience & Web Design program.
Register today!

ECE Associate Teacher Info Session
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Start a meaningful career shaping young minds.
With early learning programs in growing demand, educators who understand child development, curriculum design, and classroom dynamics are essential. The UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher certificate builds foundational expertise in teaching infants through preschool‑age children, developing age‑appropriate curriculum, and collaborating with families and communities.
Speaker
Join Ninet Moradi, chair of the program, for an inside look at how our courses can help you qualify for associate‑teacher roles, meet California licensing requirements, and launch a rewarding career supporting children’s growth and learning.
Learn more.
Visit our program page to explore the courses and opportunities within the Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher certificate program.
Register today.

Applied Microeconomics and Trade Seminar Series Presents: Olivia Bordeu
2026-01-15 01:40 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Applied Microeconomics and Trade Seminar
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 1:40 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: E2-499

Speaker: Olivia Bordeu
Title: Assistant Professor of Economics
Affiliation: University of California, Berkeley
Host: Jeremy West
Seminar title: Bank Branches and the Allocation of Capital across Cities

ABSTRACT: We study how banking market structure and branch networks shape the spatial mobility of capital. Using administrative loan-level data from Chile, we show that bank-level deposit shocks lead receiving banks to increase lending and lower interest rates relative to other banks. Interest rate reductions are concentrated in cities where the bank has a small market share, consistent with local market power. We develop and estimate a quantitative spatial model with multi-city banks, oligopolistic local credit markets, and frictions in interbank lending. These channels lead to spatial dispersion in interest rates and the marginal productivity of physical capital, reducing GDP. Interbank frictions reduce steady-state GDP by 0.04%, while spatial variation in loan markups reduces GDP by 0.5%. Bank mergers improve financial integration between cities but reduce competition, generating heterogeneous welfare effects that depend on the merging banks’ geographic overlap.

The art of interviewing: From good to great.
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Interviews are no longer just about resumes. In this section with PK Agarwal, dean of UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, we will dive into behavioral questions, storytelling techniques, virtual interview etiquette, and ways to stand out with authenticity and confidence.

Learn to craft memorable responses to behavioral interview questions using proven storytelling frameworks.
Understand what sets standout candidates apart in both in-person and virtual interviews—including etiquette, presence, and tone.
Gain tips for showcasing your unique strengths with clarity and confidence while staying true to yourself.

This is a casual discussion with Dean Agarwal. Be sure to bring your questions and share your experience.
This event is part of the Dean Conversations: Pathways to professional success series.
Claim your seat!

OLLI at UCSC Sunday Speaker Meeting
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
OLLI at UCSC Hosts Chris Murphy, President of the Santa Cruz Warriors
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UCSC invites the public to an in-person presentation on Sunday, January 18th, at Colleges Nine/ John R. Lewis Multipurpose Room on the UCSC campus. Join us for a social hour and presentation titled, “A Local Success Story: Inside the Santa Cruz Warriors.” Chris Murphy, President of the Santa Cruz Warriors and an active participant in several local organizations, will talk about the inner workings of the basketball and business operations of our local team. This event is free and open to the public. Bring a friend. Coffee and nibbles will be served. OLLI at UCSC is a community of adults from diverse educational, occupational and geographic backgrounds who are devoted to the pursuit of learning. For directions and free parking information visit https://olli.ucsc.edu/monthly-gatherings/location-directions-and-parking/

How Long is Long Enough: Screening and Conversation
2026-01-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, 1817 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 95062, United States
Join us for a screening of How Long is Long Enough: The Excessive Sentencing of Quntos & Layla, a short documentary created by Natalie Decena, Sarina Bozorgnia, Veler Brown, and Aiden Olivier from UC Santa Cruz with support from Michael Ademaro from Georgetown Law School as part of the Making an Exoneree initiative.
Quntos Wilson and Layla Roberts were sentenced to life without parole in 1995 at the ages of 18 and 19 for a robbery in which no one was physically harmed and a mere $301 was stolen. Now approaching 50, they have each become remarkable artists and mentors behind the prison bars of Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola).
In addition to the documentary screening, the event will include a conversation with Quntos Wilson and Layla Roberts, letter-writing, and collaborative art making.

Campus to Career: Job Talk with Chief of Staff Mikaila Kruse
2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00 | https://events.ucsc.edu/event/campus-to-career-job-talk-with-chief-of-staff-mikaila-kruse/
Are you curious about careers in government, leadership, or public service? Join us for a job talk with UCSC alumna Mikaila Kruse, the Chief of Staff for the Riverside city mayor. Mikaila will tell us her professional story and share how her education has informed her trajectory. You’ll learn about entering the field of politics, what government work looks like, and how to apply your skills for public service.
Attendees will enter raffles for a Humanities tumbler and tote!
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Learn more about Mikaila:
Mikaila Kruse is Chief of Staff to Mayor Lock Dawson of Riverside. Having worked for elected officials at the federal, state, and local level, she has a range of experience in government relations that includes serving on political campaigns, delivering constituent services, and developing legislation in Sacramento. Previously, she worked on voter registration efforts and as a substitute teacher. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2015 with a BA in History and Politics and received a Master of Public Policy degree from UC Riverside in 2020.
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Behavioral, Econometrics and Theory Seminar Series Presents: Roberto Corrao
2026-01-20 13:40 - 15:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Economics Behavioral, Econometrics, & Theory Seminar
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Time: 1:40-3:00 p.m.
Location: E2-499

Speaker: Roberto Corrao
Title: Assistant Professor of Economics
Affiliation: Stanford University
Host: Gerelt Tserenjigmid

Seminar title: Contractibility Design

ABSTRACT:
We introduce a model of incentive contracting in which the principal, in addition to
writing contracts, must engage in contractibility design: creating an evidence structure
that allows them to prove when the agent has breached the contract. Designing an
evidence structure entails both (i) front-end costs borne ex ante, such as those of
drafting contracts, and (ii) back-end costs borne ex post, such as those of generating
evidence. We find that, under even small front-end costs, optimal contracts are coarse,
specifying finitely many contingencies out of a continuum of possibilities. In contrast,
under even large back-end costs, optimal contracts are complete. Applied to the design
of procurement contracts, our results rationalize: (i) the discreteness of contracts, (ii)
the presence of similarly vague contracts in low-stakes and high-stakes settings, and
(iii) the discontinuous adjustment of contracts to changes in the economic environment.
