Events

Emeriti Faculty Lecture, Spring 2026
2026-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Puppets, Performance, Percussion: Asia-Pacific Interculturalism, Avant-gardism, and the Center for World Music
As the West Coast exploded with the Summer of Love and Vietnam War protests, the Center for World Music’s concept of “bimusicality” brought Asian performance masters and American avant-gardists to train American students. Julie Taymor’s The Lion King on Broadway and Lou Harrison’s Coyote Stories are just two intercultural results. The teachings of Balasaraswati, Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Undang Sumarna, and Ki Tjokrowasito, prompted intercultural revolutions in West Coast performance, practice, and university curriculums, including at UC Santa Cruz.
Register to attend in-person or virtual
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for guests attending in person
Lecture: 7 p.m.
Followed by a reception for in person guests
Free and open to the public
Parking is $11
Presented by the UC Santa Cruz Emeriti Association

Kathy Foley is distinguished research professor emerita at UC Santa Cruz. She is a member of honor for UNIMA-International, joining previous puppeteers such as Jim Henson. She has edited the Asian Theatre Journal, curated exhibits for the National Geographic Society, and performed at Indonesian National Wayang (puppetry) Festivals, the Asian Art Museum, and the Smithsonian. Her research has been supported by Fulbright, Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Edward A. Dickson Emeriti awards. She is also a Punch and Judy professor.

Conference Kick-Off
2026-04-15 08:00 - 09:30 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/meeting/register/sBuuVB4AQwyaDTQDSEpoJQ#/registration
Join for the global kick-off of the 2026 Right Livelihood International Conference. All conference participants and organizers are invited to a fun, global meet-and-greet event on Zoom.

Social Services Opportunities / Aspiranet Info Session
2026-04-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Cowell Conference Room, 257 Cowell-Stevenson Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Aspiranet, a Californian, public services nonprofit will answer questions, talk about career advancement in social services, and share how you can help move Hope Forward in your community
Aspiranet has become one of California’s largest and most successful social service organizations. Aspiranet is a 501 (c) (3) California nonprofit organization with the mission of providing children, youth, and families with a foundation of support so they can thrive at home, at school, and in their communities.
Join us to learn more about the various opportunities we have to offer in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas.
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.

FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Dr. George Leonard
2026-04-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Ocean Health Building, McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Please join us for the second talk in the FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Adjunct Professor Dr. George Leonard. His talk, “Lessons learned from my time at the science-policy interface” will discuss his 35 years of experience researching, communicating, and advocating for a vibrant and healthy ocean upon which all of us depend. He has been at the forefront of ocean science-policy interface at major nonprofits (Monterey Bay Aquarium and Ocean Conservancy), working on practical ocean solutions to some of the ocean’s greatest environmental challenges. He initiated, developed, and led a host of conservation programs during his time at Ocean Conservancy including offshore aquaculture, plastics pollution, ocean acidification, climate change, mesopelagic fisheries, and deep-sea mining. During his early career at Monterey Bay Aquarium, he developed the scientific foundation for the nascent sustainable seafood movement
FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories Seminar Series
Dr. George Leonard, Adjunct Professor, Coastal Science and Policy UCSC
Title: Lessons learned from my time at the science-policy interface
When: Wednesday, April 15th from 10:30am-12pm
Where: Ocean Health Building Rm 118, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 and on Zoom
Agenda:

10:30 am – 11:00 am – Professional Networking Session (in person only – light snacks and refreshments provided)
11 am to 12 pm – presentation followed by Q & A
12 pm – 1pm – student lunch with the speaker in OHB courtyard → sign up here

Zoom Meeting Registration: https://ucsc.zoom.us/meeting/register/NwH0_qUbSeuIm3A76DY-Dg

CSE Colloquium - Algorithmic Problems in Discrete Choice by Ravi Kumar
2026-04-15 11:00 - 12:15 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Ravi Kumar, Google
Abstract:
In discrete choice, a user selects one option from a finite set of available alternatives, a process that is crucial for recommendation systems applications in e-commerce, social media, search engines, etc. A popular way to model discrete choice is through Random Utility Models (RUMs). RUMs assume that users assign values to options and choose the one with the highest value from among the available alternatives. RUMs have become increasingly important in the Web era; they offer an elegant mathematical framework for researchers to model user choices and predict user behavior based on (possibly limited) observations. While RUMs have been extensively studied in behavioral economics and social sciences, many basic algorithmic tasks remain poorly understood. In this talk, we will discuss various algorithmic and learning questions concerning RUMs.
Bio:
Ravi Kumar has been a research scientist at Google since 2012. Prior to this, he was at the IBM Almaden Research Center and at Yahoo! Research. His interests include algorithms for massive data, ML/privacy, and the theory of computation. He maintains an extensive publication record that includes Test-of-Time Awards from STOC and WWW, as well as Best Paper Awards from KDD and WWW, to mention a few. He is an ACM fellow.

Hosted by: Professor Sungjin Im

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 11:00 am – 12: 15 pm
Location: Engineering 2, Room E2-180 (Refreshments such as fruit, pastries, coffee, and tea will be provided.)

Zoom Option: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93445911992?pwd=[REDACTED]

HireDMV Multi-University Alumni Career Fair
2026-04-15 11:00 - 14:00 | Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, College Park, MD, 7801 Alumni Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
Calling University of California Alumni in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Are you ready for your next career move? Join fellow alumni and professionals at the HireDMV Multi-University Alumni Career Fair, a unique opportunity to connect directly with top employers hiring across a wide range of industries.
This expo-style career event brings together alumni, graduate students, and doctoral candidates from multiple universities to meet 75+ employers actively recruiting talented professionals in the DMV region.
Event Details
HireDMV Multi-University Alumni Career Fair
📅 Wednesday, April 15, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, College Park, MD
Why Attend

Meet 75+ companies actively hiring
Build meaningful connections with recruiters and hiring managers
Explore opportunities across industries and career levels
Free to attend for alumni

Whether you’re exploring a career transition, returning to the workforce, or seeking your next leadership role, the HireDMV Career Fair offers a powerful opportunity to expand your network and discover new possibilities.
REGISTER HERE

The Emergence of Maritime Archaeology in the Republic of Benin: Research, Challenges, and Ongoing Initiatives
2026-04-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Social Sciences 1, Social Sciences 1, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presentation Abstract: The Republic of Benin has a rich maritime history shaped by human interactions along its coast. However, these coastal areas remain understudied in terms of archaeological research. Over the past five years, research has explored the potential of both land and submerged archaeological sites to understand long-term occupation and material evidence of Atlantic-era exchanges. This presentation traces the development of maritime archaeology in Benin through ongoing research. Grounded in a Maritime Cultural Landscape framework, it combines terrestrial survey data, underwater investigations, oral traditions, and historical archives to reconstruct past human interactions along the coast.
About the Presenter: Affolabi Angelo Ayedoun is a PhD Student in the Department of Anthropology at UCSC. His research seeks to illuminate the precolonial history of coastal Benin by analyzing patterns of occupation and cultural interaction during the second millennium AD. It focuses on the Grand-Popo region, an area of early settlement and a key site of initial colonial contact in present-day Benin.

Engineering Teaching Community (Faculty)
2026-04-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
During the chaos of a quarter, is it hard to find time to reflect and improve as an instructor? Would you like to be a part of an inclusive, supportive group of engineering instructors who do this in community? ETC is for sharing teaching experiences, classroom ideas, research on learning, and methods that support instructors and students. All are welcome, and lunch is provided. Please reach out to Jenny Quynn with questions.

Off-Campus Housing Resource Fair
2026-04-15 12:00 - 15:00 | Social Sciences Lawn, College Nine, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join UCSC Community Rentals Wednesday, April 15, 12 – 3 p.m. at Social Sciences Lawn to meet local landlords, learn about the rental process, and explore off-campus housing & resources!
Drop by and get info to help your housing search! Housing staff and local landlords/property managers will be on-site to answer questions.
Get tips about:

Searching for rentals
Making your rental application packet
What landlords are looking for
The Renters Workshop, and more

Learn more by visiting communityrentals.ucsc.edu
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.

Visualizing Abolition Screening Series: Beyond Access
2026-04-15 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 12:00 - 17:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
On view in the IAS Screening Room is a selection of short films curated by Visualizing Abolition Visiting Faculty Fellow Dr. Pooja Rangan.
Prisons deny and censor the access of those trapped inside them—to information, to intimacy, to community, to meaningful work, to nourishment of all kinds, and perhaps most cruelly, to care. This program assembles a series of films, including works by filmmakers incarcerated in California as well as others without that lived experience. Together, these works confront the debilitating impacts of these restrictions and reveal how the disabling logic of the prison is extended to other institutional spaces (the hospital, the university), turning access into a scarce commodity by enclosing what should be held in common. Questioning the carceral and state-sponsored productions of disability and accessibility, the short films together reveal the courage of people working despite limitations to produce collective access for one another, described simply and beautifully by disability justice activist Leah-Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha as “revolutionary love without charity.”
Thanh Tran
Dying in Prison, 2022
HD Video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Carolyn Lazard
Pre-Existing Condition, 2019
HD video (color, sound), 6 minutes
Courtesy of the artist and Trautwein Herleth3
Anthony Alejandrez
Another Rainy Day, 2023
Phone video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Jordan Lord
After…After… (Access), 2018
HD Video (color, sound), 16 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Rahsaan “New York” Thomas
Friendly Signs, 2023
Video (color, sound) 21 minutes
Courtesy of Tommy Wickerd, Empowerment Ave & System Impact Media

Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences
2026-04-15 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 12:00 - 17:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right, the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj, a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies, a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art.
The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public.
Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right
Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons.
Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements
The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas.
Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies
Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in times of violence.

Ritual Drinking in the Ancient World
2026-04-15 17:00 - 19:30 | Stockwell Cellars, 1100 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Wednesday, April 15, 5:00-7 p.m.
Stockwell Cellars
1100 Fair Avenue, Santa Cruz
Space is limited. Please let us know if you are able to attend via this registration link.
“Drink and make a happy day!” (New Kingdom Theben tomb)
“Wine gladdens the heart of man…” (Psalm 104:15)
At this ‘symposium’ event, three UCSC professors in Classical, Biblical, and Egyptian antiquity will tell stories about how various ancient cultures drank wine to commune with their gods, suspend the normal social rules, and prepare for the end of days.
Elaine Sullivan, “How to Get Drunk with a Goddess”
Martin Devecka, “Wine before Liquor”
Anne Kreps, “Drinking like the World is Going to End”
The Stockwell Cellars tasting room bar will be open for attendees to purchase individual wines-by-the-glass during the event. Come enjoy tasting local Santa Cruz wines while learning about the long history of drinking as a ritual event in the ancient Mediterranean world.
A Q&A will follow the short presentations.

Speakers & Bios:
Martin Devecka, Associate Professor, Ancient Studies & Literature
As a cultural historian, Devecka writes on topics in ancient literature and society that range from robots to ruins. He is currently finishing a book manuscript on animal citizenship in the Roman Empire.
Anne Kreps, Associate Professor, Ancient Studies & History
As a historian of the ancient Near East, Kreps studies heresies, Gnosticism, and the politics of sacred texts. Her current work examines the Dead Sea Scrolls within New Religious Movements in the United States.
Elaine Sullivan, Associate Professor, Ancient Studies & History
An Egyptogist, Sullivan’s field research has included excavation and survey at Karnak’s Mut Temple, the cemetery of Saqqara, and the Greco-Roman city of Karanis, all in Egypt. She is currently authoring a book on the sales of antiquities out of Egypt in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Image: Nebamun receiving wine

Kraw Lecture: At the Forefront of AI: Innovation and Discovery
2026-04-15 17:30 - 20:30 | The Quad Conference Center, 2400 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we understand and solve the world’s most complex challenges—while at the same time causing new challenges and concerns. We invite you to join us for a special UC Santa Cruz Kraw Lecture showcasing the faculty whose groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence is transforming science, technology, and society. From advances in autonomous systems and natural language processing to the development of sustainable and responsible AI, this conversation will highlight the innovative work taking place across disciplines and the real-world impact it is poised to have.
Moderated by special guest Ahmad Thomas, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), this dynamic discussion will bring together leading researchers to explore how these technologies are shaping the future—accelerating discovery, addressing complex global challenges, and opening new frontiers for collaboration. Gain insight into the ideas, discoveries, and collaborations shaping the next generation of artificial intelligence research and hear from the leaders advancing this work.

In-Person Reception: 5:30 p.m.
Lecture: 6:15 p.m.

Register Now

NOIZ—April in Santa Cruz festival opening
2026-04-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Digital Arts Research Center, 407 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
NOIZ: An Evening of Words, Sounds + Ideas is a live gathering at the intersection of Hip Hop, activism, and the spoken word—a space where music meets testimony. Hosted by assistant professor and hip hop artist akua naru, the evening features live student performances, a DJ set, and an intimate conversation with guest artist/performer Edd Wheeler: pioneering Brazilian rapper, founding member of As Damas do Rap, the first female Hip Hop group in Rio de Janeiro, and practicing lawyer and organizer whose life and work embody the transformative power of the emcee as witness, visionary, and change agent. Wheeler is joined with collaborators akua naru, spoken-word poet and musician Azmera Hammouri-Davis, and a student ensemble led by Ananya Balagere and Romare Uyeda-Hale. Download and share the event flyer here.
This event is a co-production of the UCSC Hip Hop Lab, Creative Technologies, Porter College, and the April in Santa Cruz Festival of Creative Music.
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ADMISSION
– Free and open to UCSC affiliates only
– Attend in-person at the Digital Arts Research Center
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PARKING
– Parking by UCSC permit or ParkMobile
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– This year’s festival includes seven events between April 15 and May 21, 2026
– Additional April in Santa Cruz events and information at aprilsc.ucsc.edu
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NOIZ: An Evening of Words, Sounds + Ideas
SOUND, STORY, AND RADICAL THOUGHT

image: photo of Edd Wheeler
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This event is open to UCSC affiliates, consistent with state and federal law.

Astrophysics: The Largest Unknowns and the Biggest Challenges
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Rio Theater, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 95062, United States
UCSC Professor Alexie Leauthaud will discuss her groundbreaking work understanding the past and future of our universe.
In this exciting public lecture, Professor Alexie Leauthaud will discuss some of the largest challenges and unknowns in Astrophysics. She will present the latest results on the nature of our universe, including groundbreaking and prize-winning new results on the nature of dark energy. Leauthaud will discuss our current understanding of the basic ingredients of our Universe and will explain why recent results from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Collaboration (DESI) collaboration made international headline news earlier this year.
She will speculate on what this might mean for the future of our Universe. Professor Leauthaud will discuss other top challenges facing the profession, including political headwinds, recent attacks on science and funding, and will also explain why astronomers are increasingly becoming involved in the fight against climate change. She will discuss her own journey in recognizing the predicament of life on this blue planet will conclude with a big picture view of the challenges that lie ahead.
The Mandel Lecture is free and open to the public. Arrive early, seating is limited. Register at this link to reserve your seat; registration will be also available at the door.
This public talk is presented by the UCSC Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and UC Observatories, and presented as part of the Mandel Lecture series, which promotes public awareness of and appreciate for astronomy. We seek your help and support in keeping these lecture going. For more information on giving, please visit https://astronomy.ucsc.edu/give/.
For more information or for disability-related needs, please email ccarreir@ucsc.edu.

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2026-04-15 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 M-101
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This series occurs weekly on Wednesday evenings during spring quarter, including the following:
Wednesday April 1, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 8, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 15, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 22, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 29, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 6, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 13, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 20, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 27, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
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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.

25th MARINe Annual Meeting - Public Day
2026-04-16 08:30 - 17:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Public Day – April 16 (All are welcome)
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Jack Baskin E2-180, UCSC Main Campus
Registration: $60 (paid upon arrival; cash only)
We hope you can join us for the 25th MARINe Annual Meeting at UC Santa Cruz, hosted by the Raimondi Lab and Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe).
From intertidal ecology to cutting-edge coastal research (and plenty of tidepool appreciation), this is your chance to connect, learn, and explore what’s happening along our shores.
This day is open to practitioners, partners, and the broader community, and will focus on timely topics in rocky intertidal systems.

👉 Register here (by April 1):
MARINe Meeting 2026 PUBLIC DAY Registration Form
Agenda: DRAFT meeting agenda here
Key Details
Parking:

Parking will be included all day, but you must check in from 7:30-9:30am at the Core West Parking Structure. Please check in with the parking attendants on the SECOND FLOOR to receive included parking. You may park on any level of the structure.

Please note the parking attendants will have a list of registrants and we will be checking you in at the door as well.

If you miss this time window, you must pay for your own parking in one of the many UCSC lots using the Parkmobile app for daily ($22) or hourly rates ($5/hr).
Food:
Light breakfast, lunch (tacos), and snacks will be provided. Coffee, tea, and drinks included. Please bring your own cup if possible.
Optional Social Hour:
6–8 PM at Abbott Square (not included in registration)

If you have any questions, please contact Lexi Necarsulmer (anecarsu@ucsc.edu).
We hope to see you there!

Women Workers, Economic Power and Environmental Justice in India with Laureate Reema Nanavaty (India)
2026-04-16 09:45 - 11:30 | https://uzh.mediaspace.cast.switch.ch/media/Sustainability+now%21+Feminist+Pathways+to+environmental+justice+%2810VLSTS-102a%29/0_r56g0jax
This event is part of the 2026 Right Livelihood International Conference. This event is hosted by the Right Livelihood College in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of their Feminist Strategies for Change series.

Queer Connections: Latine and Queer
2026-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Lionel Cantú Queer Center, Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections.
Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers.
Latine and Queer: Exploring the intersection of Queer and Latine/x identities and addressing emotional well-being in college. Join us for a reflective space to connect, share and celebrate navigating multiple identities!
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.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours
2026-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online. Virtual tours are available online.

Mirchandani, C. (BMEB) - Population and Evolutionary Genomics Across Ecological Scales
2026-04-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Sequencing technologies have transformed population and evolutionary genetics, making it possible to ask questions at scales that were intractable a decade ago. Realizing that potential depends on tailored computational approaches, and on the tools and infrastructure those approaches are built on. My dissertation works across this spectrum. Using an in vitro Drosophila cell culture system, I show that mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly and deterministically, with one strain competitively excluding the other across host species and starting frequencies, offering an explanation for why mixed infections are rarely observed in nature. In a deep-sea clam and its obligate bacterial symbiont, I use two ultra-accurate sequencing methods and demographic modeling to directly estimate the effective transmission bottleneck between host generations, finding it to be roughly eight symbionts, orders of magnitude below prior cell-count estimates. I also present two tools for population genomics at scale: snpArcher, a reproducible variant calling workflow developed for the California Conservation Genomics Project and now used across hundreds of species and tens of thousands of samples; and clam, a Rust-based tool that efficiently estimates population genetic statistics by leveraging callable loci, producing results identical to existing all-sites approaches at a fraction of the computational cost. Together, these projects demonstrate how tailored computational approaches can unlock biological insight across diverse systems and scales.
Event Host: Cade Mirchandani, Ph.D. Candidate, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
Advisors: Russ Corbett-Detig & Shelbi Russell
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98034081971?pwd=[REDACTED]

2026 Spring (all-majors) Career & Internship Fair
2026-04-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Undergraduate and graduate students and recent alumni interested in pursuing careers in business, arts, social sciences & humanities industries are welcome to attend. Get the chance to meet recruiters from many industries/firms seeking to fill internship, full-time, and part-time roles. Come take essential steps toward laying the foundation for your future career and potentially even land an interview!
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.
This program is open to all students consistent with state and federal law, the UC Nondiscrimination Statement and the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.
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”)
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 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.

Wellness in Action: Healthy Metabolism, Healthy Heart Workshop
2026-04-16 12:00 - 12:30
Thursday, April 2, 12:00 PM -12:30 PM
Register for the Zoom link.
Healthy metabolism and heart health play a key role in overall energy, resilience, and long-term well-being. This workshop will highlight simple, everyday habits that support metabolic function and cardiovascular health.
This new Wellness in Action workshop series is designed to help you improve your health with a short session with simple tips you can try in your own life.
Register here for the Zoom link. The workshop will be recorded, and a link to the recording will be sent out after the first session.
In the follow-up session on Thursday, April 16 from 12:00 PM -12:30 PM, you will have the opportunity to share your experience and learn from others in the group. This session will not be recorded.
For questions, please reach out to Ashley Parker, Health and Well-being Specialist, at aseparke@ucsc.edu.

Goal Setting
2026-04-16 12:00 - 12:45 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/7372922776?pwd=[REDACTED]
In this workshop, you will: Set SMART goals to help you get organized & on track for success.
The Successful Slug Workshop series, hosted by Learning Support Services Peer Coaches, are open to all UCSC undergraduate students and focus on academic skills and tools to support your success as a student. At each workshop, you will be introduced to a topic, engage in active learning, be given resources to begin implementing the same day, and have an opportunity to learn more if you are interested.
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.

LGBTQIA+ Abroad Series: LGBTQIA+ Identities Abroad Student Alumni Panel
2026-04-16 12:00 - 13:00
Come join Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center and Global Learning for a pre-departure series on navigating your LGBTQIA+ identities abroad during your upcoming Global Learning program.
Register Here
Session 2: LGBTQIA+ Identities Abroad Student Alumni Panel
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 12:00-12:50 p.m.
Modality: Hybrid (Cantú Cabin or Zoom)
Description: Learn from a panel discussion from LGBTQIA+ Global Learning alumni. This panel will explore student experiences related to navigating identities abroad, finding community abroad, travel tips and tricks, exploring identity in general, and much more!

Find Your Path! 2026
2026-04-16 12:00 - 14:00 | Digital Arts Research Center, 407 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
“Find Your Path!” is a two-day professional development event for UC Santa Cruz Arts Division students who are interested in careers in arts and entertainment. Students are invited to network with UC Santa Cruz colleagues, alumni, and creative professionals to find their path to success. Learn more about the speakers here.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Day One
Thurs. April 16, noon–2:00 p.m, UCSC Digital Arts Research Center (DARC) 108 and online (hybrid event)
– Keynote address: Sarah Sanford, UC Santa Cruz Teaching Professor, On Building Careers in Arts Education
– UCSC Career Success presentation: developing a stand-out resume, cover letter, portfolio, and more
– Light refreshments served
Day Two
Fri. April 17, noon–4:30 p.m, UCSC Digital Arts Research Center (DARC) 108 and online (hybrid event)
– Lunch and introduction begin at noon.
– Career panel discussions with creative industry professionals
– Join any or all four panel sessions:
1. Working in the Entertainment Industry: 12:10 PM- 1:05 PM
2. Careers in Museums and Performance Spaces: 1:10 PM-2:05 PM
3. Careers in Games, Design, and Digital Media: 2:20 PM-3:15 PM
4. Arts, Organizing, and Social Impact: 3:20 PM- 4:15 PM
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ADMISSION
– UC Santa Cruz Arts Division students only
– Register here to attend in person or online (hybrid event)
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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)

Black on the Block
2026-04-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Crown Provost House, 660 Crown Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the African American Resource & Cultural Center every Thursday from 1–2 p.m., at the front of the Ethnic Resource Center for Black on the Block, a weekly tabling and engagement space.
Stop by to learn about campus resources, upcoming programs, and ways to get involved. It’s a casual, welcoming space to ask questions, make connections, and build community. All are welcome.
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.

SWANA Movie Night
2026-04-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Namaste Lounge, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center is celebrating SWANA Heritage Month with a series of events! Join us for a movie night with snacks on Thursday, April 16th from 6-8pm at Namaste Lounge.
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.
