Events

Screening: Queering Movement, Stories Embodied Film Shorts
2026-01-25 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
The IAS, BBQueer Fest, and Motion Pacific invite you to attend “Queering Movement: Stories Embodied,” an evening celebrating short films by local Black, brown and queer artists and dancers. The screening and Q&A with filmmakers and participants showcases the interplay of activism, movement, and performance. Social hour to follow! Light snacks and (non-alcoholic) refreshments will be provided. Films are in English, with English subtitles. moss time, crip time includes audio description as voice over.
Films:
moss time, crip time (Cynthia Ling Lee.)
Taste her Fruit, Bless the Whore (Diana Mulan Zhu)
Liberating Movement: Black, Brown & Queer All Over (Helen Aldana & Megan Martinez Goltz)

Echoes on the Hill | Techno Night
2026-01-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Echoes on the Hill
Techno Night
A small concert spotlighting student talent — all students welcome!

Featuring student DJs + 6+ artists
Come through for good music, good vibes, pizza, drinks, and dancing

College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall Multipurpose Room
Sunday, January 25
6–9 p.m.

You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

ECE Seminar: Tactile sensing: At the boundary between mechanical and computational intelligence in robotic grippers
2026-01-26 10:40 - 11:45 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Dr. Hannah Stuart, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley
Description: Robot grippers typically include mechanical intelligence (e.g., underactuation, compliance) or computational intelligence (e.g., fully actuated with a wide array of sensors). Next generation grippers and hands will require both intelligences to work in concert across applications with resilience and dexterity. This talk will introduce the concept of mechanical and computational intelligence co-design through example case studies that focus on the particular importance of embodied sensitivity as a feature of the co-design process. For example, the most recent work on the Smart Suction Cup, conducted largely by Dr. Jungpyo Lee, demonstrates how design decisions like the number of sensitive chambers influences the resultant robot arm controller as well as physical compliance and manufacturing feasibility and cost.
Bio: Dr. Hannah Stuart is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering at the George Washington University in 2011, and her MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanics of physical interaction in order to better design systems for dexterous manipulation. Applications range from remote robotics to assistive orthotics. Recent awards include the NSF CAREER grant, NASA Early Career Faculty grant, Hellman Fellows Fund grant, and Johnson & Johnson Women in STEM2D grant. She is a Senior Member of IEEE.
Hosted by: Professor Soumya Bose, ECE Department
Zoom Link: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/97975378707?pwd=[REDACTED]

Info Session: Global Seminar Latin American Spain
2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:00 | CA
Learn more at our upcoming Information Session: Monday, January 26, at 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Register Here
Earn 6 units on a summer program on the UCSC Global Seminar: Latin American Spain in Madrid this summer. This program is taught by Catherine S. Ramírez, Chair of the UCSC Latin American and Latino Studies Department.
Quick Facts:

Location: Madrid, Spain
Courses: LALS 184S: Latin American Spain (6 UC quarter units)
Led by: Catherine S. Ramírez
Eligibility: Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, 45 units completed at time of departure, Minimum GPA- 2.3 cumulative GPA or higher
Dates: June 22-July 24, 2026
Finances: Financial aid applies and is packaged at your home UC campus.
How to apply: Visit here for instructions. Applications open on December 1, 2025, and close on March 2, 2026.
Get in touch: Email your questions to globallearning@ucsc.edu.

Program Description:
What would gazpacho be without the tomato? What would LaLiga be without Messi? What would agriculture, restaurants, construction, and child and elder care be without migrants? Exploring subjects as varied as food, soccer, music, labor, and fascism, this course addresses these questions by examining Spain’s legacy as an imperial power in the Americas and the ways Latin Americans are transforming Spanish society and culture. This 6-unit Global Seminar fulfills UC Santa Cruz’s Cross-Cultural Analysis (CC) General Education requirement and is for undergraduates with a desire to learn about Spain’s diversity and dynamism from a Latin American and Latinx studies perspective. Students from any major who meet the standard eligibility requirements are welcome. The ability to speak Spanish is helpful, but not required. Discover more here.

Statistics Seminar: Boosting Biomedical Imaging Analysis via Distributed Functional Regression and Synthetic Surrogates
2026-01-26 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/92479478035?pwd=[REDACTED]
Presenter: Guannan Wang, Associate Professor, The College of William & Mary
Description: Generative AI has emerged as a powerful tool for synthesizing biomedical images, offering new solutions to challenges such as data scarcity, privacy constraints, and modality imbalance. However, the reliable use of synthetic images in scientific analysis requires principled statistical frameworks that can assess fidelity and rigorously quantify uncertainty. In this talk, I present a distributed functional data analysis approach for comparing original and AI- generated biomedical images through their mean and covariance structures. Using spline-based representations on complex imaging domains, we construct simultaneous confidence regions, enabling formal inference on original-synthetic differences and providing statistical safeguards for downstream analyses. Building on this foundation, I demonstrate how synthetic images can
be safely incorporated into functional regression models to learn spatially varying covariate effects when key imaging modalities are partially observed. Applications to large-scale neuroimaging studies illustrate how integrating generative AI with rigorous statistical inference enhances the reliability, interpretability, and scientific value of modern biomedical imaging analyses.
Bio: Guannan Wang is a Diamond Term Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at William & Mary. She received a Ph.D. in Statistics and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Georgia in 2015. Her research focuses on the statistical foundations of generative AI, distributed and federated learning, and spatial and functional data analysis, with applications to neuroimaging, public health, and environmental and social sciences. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in leading statistical journals, including JASA, JCGS, Statistica Sinica, Biometrics, and JMLR, and her work has been supported by the NIH, NSF, and the Simons Foundation.
Hosted by: Statistics Department
Zoom link: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/92479478035?pwd=[REDACTED]

Ecology of Presence: Pathways to the Natural World
2026-01-26 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-27 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-28 12:00 - 17:00 | Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery, 11 Cowell Service Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Norris Center Art + Science Graduate Fellowship Exhibition
Ecology of Presence: Pathways to the Natural World brings together the work of ten graduate students supported by the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History Art + Science Fellowship, a program dedicated to creative research connecting art with the natural world. Across media – including sound, moving image, music, performance, installation, comics, social practice, photography, and storytelling – the artists in Ecology of Presence emphasize relationality and careful attention to place as essential to building relationships with environs. As accelerating environmental change and technological dependency threaten ways of belonging, the works in this exhibition maintain a steadfast commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that propose kinship with the natural world. By coming together, Art + Science Fellows artworks and social practices suggest ways of imagining human life in relation to the more-than-human world.

CM Seminar - "Revealing Hidden Stories: Co-Designing the Thámien Ohlone Augmented Reality Tour"
2026-01-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presented by: Kai Lukoff
Description:
The Santa Clara University campus is adorned with symbols and monuments, including a Spanish Mission Church, that highlight its Catholic heritage. However, the presence and history of the Ohlone Native Americans, who have inhabited this land for thousands of years and continue to live in the region, receive little to no recognition. How can we utilize augmented reality (AR) to share these hidden stories?
In collaboration with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, our interdisciplinary team developed the Thámien Ohlone AR tour. This tour reveals hidden stories, encourages visitors to engage in critical reflection, and inspires visions of a more just future and received the Best Movie Award at CHI 2024, the leading conference in the field of human-computer interaction. This talk will share insights on co-designing location-based AR experiences for social impact and explore the potential of AR in preserving cultural heritage.
Bio: Kai Lukoff is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Santa Clara University. He leads the Human-Computer Interaction Lab, focusing on technologies with social impact. His recent work focuses on co-design methods for location-based augmented reality. His research has been featured in prominent conferences such as CHI, CSCW, IMWUT, and DIS, and he was honored with the 2023 Outstanding Dissertation Award from ACM SIGCHI.

Hosted by: Professor Sri Kurniawan
When: Monday, January 26, 2026 from 12:30PM to 1:30PM
Location:
IN-PERSON @ UCSC Main Campus, E2-280.
Viewing room @ SVC 3212.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AT BOTH LOCATIONS! Faculty and students are highly encouraged to attend.
Zoom info:
https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/95105219890?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 951 0521 9890
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Career Success Drop-In Coaching at the EOP Office - Winter 2026
2026-01-26 13:30 - 15:00 | Academic Resources Center (ARC), 408 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Drop-in with Career Coach & Engagement Specialist Bridge Kennedy to discuss Career Exploration, Job Search Strategy, Interview Prep, Grad School Prep, or whatever’s on your mind related to your career success!
Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Dates: Mondays, Weeks 2, 4, 6, & 8 of Winter Quarter 2026
1/12, 1/26, 2/9, 2/23
Location: Academic Resource Center, EOP Lounge
YOU BELONG HERE
Programs and services are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Info Session: Global Seminar Film History and Preservation in Bologna
2026-01-26 14:00 - 15:00 | CA
Learn more at our upcoming Information Session: Monday, January 26, 2026, at 2:00-3:00 pm via Zoom.
Register Here.
Earn 10 units on a summer program on the Global Seminar Film History and Preservation in Bologna this summer. This program is taught by Jennifer Horne, Associate Professor of Film and Digital Media, and Selmin Kara, Associate Professor of Film and Digital Media.
Quick Facts:

Locations: Bologna, Italy
Courses:
FILM 132A: International Cinema to 1960 (5 credits)
FILM 185S: Film Preservation and Restoration (5 credits)
Led by: Jennifer Horne and Selmin Kara
Eligibility: Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, 45 units completed at time of departure, Minimum GPA- 2.3 cumulative GPA or higher, Majors: Open to Film and Digital Media Majors or Minors
Dates: Summer Session 1 (Exact dates to be announced)
Finances: Financial aid applies, and scholarships are available! The budget will be posted on the website when it is available.
How to apply: Visit here for instructions. Applications open on December 1 and close on March 2.
Get in touch: Email your questions to globallearning@ucsc.edu.

Program Description: Study with Professors Jennifer Horne and Selmin Kara in Bologna, Italy, while attending the renowned Il Cinema Ritrovato film festival. The world’s leading festival of film preservation, Il Cinema Ritrovato, features premieres of restored film prints and rare gems of mainstream, arthouse, experimental, and early film, giving students an in-depth knowledge of international cinema. Following the film festival, students will remain in Bologna for in-depth classes on film history and preservation.

AM Seminar: Probing Forced Responses and Causality in Data-Driven Climate Emulators: Conceptual Limitations and the Role of Reduced-Order Models
2026-01-26 16:00 - 17:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/97450297092?pwd=[REDACTED]
Presenter: Fabrizio Falasca, New York University
Description: A central challenge in climate science and applied mathematics is developing data-driven models of multiscale systems that capture both stationary statistics and responses to external perturbations. Current neural climate emulators aim to resolve the atmosphere–ocean system in all its complexity but often struggle to reproduce forced responses, limiting their use in causal studies such as Green’s function experiments. To explore the origin of these limitations, we first examine a simplified dynamical system that retains key features of climate variability. We argue that the ability of emulators of multiscale systems to reproduce perturbed statistics depends critically on (i) the choice of an appropriate coarse-grained representation and (ii) careful parameterizations of unresolved processes. These insights highlight reduced-order models, tailored to specific goals, processes, and scales, as valid alternatives to general-purpose emulators. We next consider a real-world application, developing a neural model to investigate the joint variability of the surface temperature field and radiative fluxes. The model infers a multiplicative noise process directly from data, largely reproduces the system’s probability distribution, and enables causal studies through forced responses. We discuss its limitations and outline directions for future work. These results expose key challenges in data-driven modeling of multiscale physical systems and underscore the value of coarse-grained, stochastic approaches.Throughout, we propose linear response theory as a rigorous framework for evaluating neural models beyond stationary statistics, probing causal mechanisms, and guiding model design.
Bio: Fabrizio Falasca is physicist working at the intersection of statistical physics, applied mathematics and climate science. He acquired his master degree in Physics of Complex Systems in the University of Turin in Italy. He then moved to Atlanta to pursue a PhD in Climate Science under the supervision of Annalisa Bracco. In the last 5 years he has been working in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science in the group of Laure Zanna. His work span response theory, causal inference, data-driven modeling, and their applications to climate dynamics and change.

Hosted by: Applied Mathematics
Zoom Link: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/97450297092?pwd=[REDACTED]

Gaining Experiences to Help Prepare for Your Pre-Health Journey
2026-01-26 17:30 - 18:30 | https://ucsc.joinhandshake.com/events/1881563/share_preview
Join us to learn what types of experiences you can do to prepare you for your healthcare journey. We will also provide strategies on how to gain experience and how to leverage it for your professional healthcare applications. This session is for students who are interested in applying to medical or other professional healthcare programs. The session will have a presentation and time for Q&A.
We will provide captions for the presentation. If you have disability-related needs, please contact the Career Success office at csuccess@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4420 as soon as possible.
YOU BELONG HERE
Programs and services are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Coffee & More with Merrill Provost Aims McGuinness
2026-01-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Merrill College Office, 641 Merrill Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Grab a cup to go or stay and join the conversation. Provost Aims McGuinness is here to answer your questions, provide support . . . and hand out FREE coffee, cocoa, tea, and breakfast snacks.

Coffee with Provost Aims McGuinness
2026-01-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Merrill College Office, 641 Merrill Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
FREE fresh hot coffee, tea, cocoa and snacks. Featuring Alta Organic Fair Trade coffee; locally & woman owned.

Info Session: Global Seminar Mokuhanga Printmaking in Japan
2026-01-27 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
Learn more at our upcoming Information Session: Tuesday, January 27 at 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Register Here
Earn 6 units on a summer program on the Global Seminar Mokuhanga Printmaking in Japan this summer. This program is taught by Jimin Lee, Professor of Art.
Quick Facts:

Locations: Tokyo, Japan
Course: ART 161J Mokuhanga: UCSC Printmaking in Japan (6 units)
Led by: Jimin Lee
Eligibility: Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, 45 units completed at time of departure. Minimum GPA- 2.3 cumulative GPA or higher at the time of application and every quarter prior to departure, Completion of Art 20G
Application requirement: Portfolio of 10 images
Dates: August 2-29, 2026
Finances: Financial aid applies, and scholarships are available! Budget will be posted on the website when it is available.
How to apply: Visit here for instructions. Applications open on December 1 and close on March 2.
Get in touch: Email your questions to globallearning@ucsc.edu.

Program Description: Immerse yourself in the world of Mokuhanga, the celebrated Japanese woodblock printmaking technique of Ukiyo-e, and journey from timeless tradition to cutting-edge creative exploration. Study how traditional relief printmaking techniques fuse with emerging technologies, book arts, and animation, while engaging with Japan’s vibrant cultural landscape through hands-on washi papermaking, museum and gallery visits, and exchanges with master printmakers and Tokyo Zokei University students. Through studio practice, cultural exploration, and creative collaboration, you’ll gain advanced artistic skill, deep cultural insight, and a fresh perspective on the possibilities of print media in today’s visual culture.

Successful Slug Workshop: Productive Struggle & Study Skills (Zoom)
2026-01-27 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/7372922776?pwd=[REDACTED]
Productive Struggle & Study Skills
Tuesday, January 27, 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Learn study strategies and why making it hard for yourself supports durable learning.
Successful Slug Workshop Series
Join Learning Support Services (LSS) for Successful Slug Workshops on Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 2:45 p.m.
These 45-minute workshops are open to all UCSC students and offer tools and strategies to support your academic success. Each session highlights best practices for effective, long-lasting learning and is led by LSS professional staff.
To get first priority, sign up on TutorHub or simply drop in. You can also sign up on TutorHub to receive email reminders.
Learn more and sign up: learningsupport.ucsc.edu/programs/workshops/
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You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

College Night: Back to the Past
2026-01-27 17:00 - 20:00 | College Nine and John R. Lewis Dining Hall
College Nine and John R. Lewis College, in collaboration with UCSC Dining, present “Back to the Past” an exploration of activism through the decades. Join us Tuesday, January 27 from 5–8 p.m. at the College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall for a night of activities, fun, community, and a special themed menu. Standard dining hall entry pricing applies, and all students, faculty, and staff are invited.
Please note: The dining hall will be closed from 2–5 p.m. for event preparation.
Learn more about College Nights at dining.ucsc.edu/events.
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You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.How to Use the Statement Across Communication Channels

How to Optimize Your Career Fair Experience
2026-01-27 17:30 - 18:30 | https://events.ucsc.edu/event/how-to-optimize-your-career-fair-experience-2/
Interested in attending one of our upcoming career fairs but not sure what to do once you’re there? We can help with that!
Join us for this webinar on Tuesday, January 27th from 5:30-6:30 to learn about how to make the most out of the experience. You get answers to these questions

What should you do to prepare in advance?
How should you engage with recruiters and other attendees?
Are there any practices or strategies to be mindful of before, during, and after?

Plus much more…
Career fairs can be a solid way to engage with recruiters to learn about job and internship opportunities as well as get an idea of what it’s like to work in a field that you might be interested in. Having a solid understanding of how to navigate your experience can help make a huge difference.
We will provide captions for the presentation. If you have disability-related needs, please contact the Career Success office at csuccess@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4420 as soon as possible.
YOU BELONG HERE
Programs and services are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation
2026-01-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
The Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation honors and celebrates Dr. King’s legacy while addressing the ongoing struggles for equity, justice, and freedom. This year’s keynote will feature Larry McDonald, a legendary reggae percussionist whose life and career have been defined by rhythm, culture, and the power of music to unite people.
McDonald has been a musical collaborator with Taj Mahal, Peter Tosh, Gil Scott-Heron, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Skatalites, and many more. Rooted in the vibrant sounds of Jamaica, he expanded his musical journey through time in Trinidad, Mexico, North Oakland, and many other locations before ultimately settling in New York. With each step, McDonald carries a profound respect for the Caribbean’s cultural heritage and a vision of music as a bridge across borders, generations, and struggles for justice.
McDonald will be joined by other New York City and Santa Cruz’s own musicians.
REGISTER

Petals and Pours
2026-01-27 18:00 - 19:30 | CA
Join AA/PIRC on Tuesday, January 27th from 6-7:30pm at Terry Freitas Commons to learn about the origins, history, and issues surrounding tea as we taste different teas from Asia (including Nami Matcha) and create your own tea blend! Come for the tea and stay for the warmth of community! RSVP at bit.ly/petalsandpours
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.

Drop-In Figure Drawing
2026-01-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Drop-In Draw provides a live model and room monitor. There is no formal lesson and only dry media is allowed (no paints).
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ADVISORIES
– These events contain mature content and nudity.
– Drop-In Draw is subject to the possibility of last-minute cancellation without notification, and sessions are not guaranteed.
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ADMISSION
– FREE and open to the public
– UCSC Art Department Room L-101
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This series occurs weekly on Tuesday evenings during winter quarter, including the following:
Tuesday January 6, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 13, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 20, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 27, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 3, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 10, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 17, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 24, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Additional dates to be announced for spring quarter.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile.
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS).
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

CSE Colloquium - Towards Relational Foundation Models: Zero-Shot Forecasting over Relational Databases
2026-01-28 11:00 - 12:15 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Charilaos I. Kanatsoulis, Stanford University
Abstract: Foundation models have transformed unstructured domains such as language and vision, yet relational datasets, where most enterprise knowledge lives, still rely on brittle, task-specific ML pipelines. I will begin by introducing Relational Deep Learning (RDL), a general framework for learning directly from heterogeneous multi-table data, capturing structure across entities, attributes, and relationships without handcrafted schemas or features.
Building on this paradigm, I will present the Relational Transformer (RT), a schema-invariant model pretrained across diverse relational databases that performs structural learning with in-context information and transfers zero-shot to new databases and predictive tasks. By modeling both inter- and intra-table dependencies and reframing prediction as pattern recognition inside a unified latent relational space, RT represents a concrete step toward relational foundation models that can be prompted, reused, and generalized for new problems.
Bio: Charilaos I. Kanatsoulis is a Research Scientist in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University. He previously was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. His research lies at the intersection of machine learning and signal processing, with a focus on Transformer and foundation model design for structured data, graph representation learning, tensor analysis, and explainable AI. His work has been recognized with the Best Paper Award at the KDD Temporal Graph Learning Workshop (2025) and the Best Student Paper Award at IEEE CAMSAP (2023). He co-instructs CS246 and CS224W at Stanford and previously taught ESE 5140 at Penn. He has organized several community events, including the Graph Signal Processing short course at IEEE ICASSP 2023, the Stanford Graph Learning Workshop (2024–2025), the Relational Deep Learning tutorial at ACM KDD 2025, and the New Perspectives in Advancing Graph Machine Learning Workshop at NeurIPS 2025.
Hosted by: Professor Nikos Tziavelis
Location: Engineering 2, Room E2-180 (Refreshments such as coffee, pastries, and fruit will be provided.)
Zoom: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93445911992?pwd=[REDACTED]

STEM Career & Internship Fair
2026-01-28 11:00 - 15:00 | Stevenson Event Center, Stevenson Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Here is a chance to meet STEM recruiters in person!
If you are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or research, then take advantage of this opportunity to meet recruiters from companies looking to fill various positions (both technical and non-technical). Learn more about internships and full-time career opportunities. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent alumni are all welcome to attend!
Curious about how to best prepare for the fair?
1. Research the organization
Identify the top 3-5 companies you are interested in, but remember to be open to different companies you may not have heard of because they may be a startup or business-to-business organization that doesn’t directly serve consumers.
Do your research by reviewing company websites. Look for their mission, values, location, and the type of available opportunities (e.g., internships, full-time positions, etc.). Company representatives are impressed by potential candidates who take the time to do this!
2. Prepare your introduction and questions
Reflect on what it is about each company that resonates with you. Perhaps it’s the specific technology they’re developing, the research they’re leading, or the world problem they’re trying to solve. What relevant experiences do you have? How can you be of service to that organization? Exercise critical thinking skills to develop questions to ask recruiters and hiring managers.
3. Dress with confidence
Each industry and each company has different work attire expectations and organizational culture. Do your research, ask mentors in advance for advice, and dress to impress!
PLEASE NOTE: You are encouraged to check in at the student registration table in order to participate in the career fair. Bring your student ID.
Want more support?

Visit a peer coach during drop-in hours
Schedule a career coaching appointment with a Career Engagement Specialist
For PhD students looking to pursue careers in industry, explore Beyond the Professoriate
(Scroll over “Login to Platform” at the top navigation bar and click “Through your institution”)
Get career tips on demand from our Career Success YouTube video library
Stay in the loop by following Career Success on Instagram

You will receive registration and additional information in your email from Career Success via Handshake. Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder if you are not receiving any communication.

You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.
Questions? Send to csuccess@ucsc.edu or visit Career Success at Hahn 125 East Entrance
Need accessibility support? Let us know at slugtalent@ucsc.edu at least two weeks prior to the fair date.
Career fair registrations are made without endorsement, direct or implied, by Career Success or UCSC. Career Success educates students about various opportunities and ensures equity of access to campus recruiting activities for all employers who abide by our Employer Policies. Individual students are encouraged to determine which employers align with their diverse talents, values, and interests.

Statistics Seminar: Inferring Unobserved Trajectories from Multiple Temporal Snapshots
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93769232971?pwd=[REDACTED]
Presenter: Yunyi Shen, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Description: Practitioners often aim to infer an unobserved population trajectory using sample snapshots at multiple time points. E.g. given single-cell sequencing data, scientists would like to learn how gene expression changes over a cell’s life cycle. But sequencing any cell destroys that cell. So we can access data for any particular cell only at a single time point, but we have data across many cells. The deep learning community has recently explored using Schrödinger bridges (SBs) and their extensions in similar settings. However, existing methods either (1) interpolate between just two time points or (2) require a single fixed reference dynamic (often set to Brownian motion within SBs). But learning piecewise from adjacent time points can fail to capture long-term dependencies. And practitioners are typically able to specify a model family for the reference dynamic but not the exact values of the parameters within it. So I propose a new method that (1) learns the unobserved trajectories from sample snapshots across multiple time points and (2) requires specification only of a family of reference dynamics, not a single fixed one. I demonstrate the advantages of my method on simulated and real data, across applications in biology and oceanography.
Bio: Yunyi Shen is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. He works in probabilistic machine learning and statistics on problems where data are scarce or noisy, and as a result require adaptive data collection, incorporation of domain-specific structure, and careful downstream evaluation. Drawing on a background in the physical and life sciences, his work is shaped by close interdisciplinary collaborations and motivated by scientific problems in biology and physics, such as gene regulation, fluid dynamics in cells, wildlife monitoring, and time-domain astronomy.
Hosted by: Statistics Department
Zoom link: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93769232971?pwd=[REDACTED]

International Market Fair
2026-01-28 13:30 - 15:00 | Classroom Unit, Classroom Unit, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, Select a Country:
Are you feeling cold and missing a piece of nostalgia from your global learning experience? International Student Services and Programming (ISSP) is excited to invite you to drop by our International Market Fair on Wednesday, January 28 from 13:30 – 15:00 at our office in Classroom Unit 101 (same floor as Global Learning). No RSVP required.

We’ll be handing out free giveaways of international snacks including:

Chili snacks from China
Indomie instant noodles from Indonesia
Kinder chocolate from Italy
Pocky from Japan
Soybean and Sesame bars from Korea
…and more!

Our staff will be hosting mini international themed activities for you to earn these prizes. We hope to see you there!

Successful Slug Workshop: Habit Tracking as a Tool
2026-01-28 14:30 - 15:30 | Academic Resources Center (ARC), 408 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Habit Tracking as a Tool
Wednesday, January 28, 2:45–3:30 p.m.
Location: ARCenter 203
Learn how strategies like habit stacking and tracking can ensure you can stick to your academic and personal routines.
Successful Slug Workshop Series
Join Learning Support Services (LSS) for Successful Slug Workshops on Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 2:45 p.m.
These 45-minute workshops are open to all UCSC students and offer tools and strategies to support your academic success. Each session highlights best practices for effective, long-lasting learning and is led by LSS professional staff.
To get first priority, sign up on TutorHub or simply drop in. You can also sign up on TutorHub to receive email reminders.
Learn more and sign up: learningsupport.ucsc.edu/programs/workshops/
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You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Decolonizing Education with Annamarie Chavez
2026-01-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Namaste Lounge, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join our conversation with, fourth-year UCSC student Annamarie Chavez as she aims to spread awareness around colonial practices within higher educational systems like universities while challenging those institutions to bring indigenous perspectives and practices to the forefront.

Ancestral Algorithms: Indigenous Virtual Realities & the Ethics of AI
2026-01-28 16:00 - 17:35 | CA
This talk explores how Indigenous analytic and ancestral technologies, rooted in technē as craft, knowledge, and skilled practice, inform contemporary digital forms such as Virtual Reality and AI. It traces how ancestral memory is transferred, adapted, and sustained across generations through decolonial and anti-colonial frameworks, while critically engaging both the generative possibilities and the structural pitfalls of digital technologies as they shape relational, technological futures.
This event is presented as part of the Creative Interventions (CI) series and is co-sponsored by the Arts Division’s Creative Technologies program and Porter College at UC Santa Cruz.
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ADMISSION
– Free and open to UCSC affiliates.
– This is an online event.
– Registration is required here.
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– Event dates to be announced throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
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ABOUT THE SERIES
Creative Interventions addresses the interconnected work of artists, designers, activists, and knowledge workers—and the intrinsic and transformative capacity of that work to cultivate a just society. More information about the Creative Technologies program.
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This program is open to all UC Santa Cruz affiliates consistent with state and federal law.

The Sheikh's Jews: Muslim-Jewish Relations in Interwar Algeria
2026-01-28 18:00 | Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
The Center for Jewish Studies presents, The Helen Diller Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies.
Until the middle of the twentieth century, Algeria hosted an array of Jewish communities—some deeply-rooted, others more recently settled—that played important roles in North African society. French colonial rule, however, brought changes that profoundly reshaped Jews’ relationship to their Muslim neighbors. By the years leading up to the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), these changes had created new lines of solidarity—and new tensions—that cast doubt on Jews’ place in Algeria’s future. In this lecture, Professor Joshua Schreier will explore how the most prominent figure among Algerian Ulema, ͑Abd al-Ḥamīd Ben Bādīs (1889–1940), the undisputed leader of reformist Islam in interwar Algeria and a powerful influence on Algeria’s nascent nationalist movement, understood Jews, their relationship to Muslims, and the escalating conflict in Palestine.

Joshua Schreier’s research and teaching navigate the intersection of Jewish, Middle Eastern, North African, and French colonial history. His publications explore the ways colonialism in Algeria not only transformed the relationship between Jews and Muslims but also redefined what these identifiers meant. He is the author of Arabs of the Jewish Faith: The Civilizing Mission in Colonial Algeria (Rutgers, 2010), and The Merchants of Oran: A Jewish Port at the Dawn of Empire (Stanford, 2017), which was a National Jewish Book Award Finalist.

This event is a part of The Helen Diller Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies.
