Events

A Celtic Christmas
2025-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
A winter holiday celebration of Irish music, dance, song, and storytelling. A Celtic Christmas is now in its 30th year touring nationally. Rekindle the flame in the hearth ​with stories, music, song and dance from the rich treasury of Ireland’s cultural heritage. Spend an evening with native Irish storyteller Tomáseen Foley and some of the most gifted Celtic musicians, dancers and singers performing anywhere today, both sides of the Atlantic. Thanks to the Celtic Society of the Monterey for their support.
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ADMISSION
– General admission $55.20; Celtic Society Member Discount $49.87.
– Tickets available HERE online through Eventbrite only.
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit, ParkMobile, or $5 cash/check/credit via the onsite parking attendant in Lot 126
– 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.

Operation Unplug! Pledge to Leave Campus Sustainability this Winter Break
2025-12-18 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59, 2025-12-17 00:00 - 2026-01-15 23:59, 2025-12-16 00:00 - 2026-01-14 23:59, 2025-12-15 00:00 - 2026-01-13 23:59, 2025-12-14 00:00 - 2026-01-12 23:59, 2025-12-13 00:00 - 2026-01-11 23:59, 2025-12-12 00:00 - 2026-01-10 23:59, 2025-12-11 00:00 - 2026-01-09 23:59 and 2 more dates
UCSC Energy Management and the Sustainability Office are leading the first annual “Operation Unplug” campaign to conserve energy (and reduce greenhouse gas emissions) during winter break. Before leaving your residence hall, apartment, or office, please unplug any fridges or minifridges, computers and/or monitors, power strips, and all other energy intensive appliances or equipment! Take the pledge and/or upload a photo of what you unplugged to the campaign’s google form for raffle entries to win one of two $50 gift certificates. Recruit your friends and coworkers for an additional entry each and try to be the winning building (the building with the most participants is guaranteed one raffle winner)! Operation Unplug is open to all students, staff, and faculty. Be the slug that pulls the plug!

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.

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.

Western Regional Hub: Undergraduate Success Group Meeting
2025-12-16 12:00 - 13:00
Members of the hub’s working group focused on Undergraduate student success will meet to share ideas and strategize.
If you would like to be involved in the hub’s work, please contact Richard Raygoza at riraygoz@ucsc.edu

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.

Merrill College Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program
2025-12-15 08:00 - 2026-01-23 17:00
The program offers Merrill students an invaluable professional opportunity: the chance to work closely with a faculty member and get the kind of experience and advice that can prepare students for graduate or professional school or a career. Students who participate in the program will be employed as Research Assistants.
This program enables Merrill College Faculty Fellows to benefit from paid research assistance from an undergraduate affiliate of Merrill College.
The application is submitted by the faculty member rather than the student.
For additional information and application: DEADLINE EXTENDED to January 23, 2026
Merrill College Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program

Fermentation Basics
2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
Unlock the secrets of delicious, healthy, and home-crafted food at our Home Fermentation Workshop! This hands-on class dives deep into the art and science of fermentation, from understanding how beneficial microbes transform basic ingredients into delicious, healthy foods, to exploring a variety of home fermentation projects—including demonstrations of ferments like pickled vegetables and tangy yogurt. Then, roll up your sleeves for an interactive session where you’ll make your own batch of sauerkraut to take home, guided step-by-step in a friendly, supportive environment. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your skills, you’ll leave with newfound confidence, inspiration, and your first jar of homemade kraut ready to ferment on your kitchen counter.
About the Instructor:
Anna Lee is a lecturer in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. She is a Master Composter and a Master Food Preserver through UC Cooperative Extension and holds an advanced certificate in ecological horticulture from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz and an MS in agroecology from University of Wisconsin, Madison.

REGISTER

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.

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.

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

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

Tran, L. (BMEB) - Polysome Shadowing: A Long-Read Sequencing Approach to Study Translation
2025-12-11 09:00 - 11:00 | 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

Data Science and Analytics Info Session
2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00
Data analysts are in high demand
Even as hiring slows in certain tech sectors, organizations across industries are actively seeking professionals with data expertise. The ability to extract insights from data has become essential to business success, creating abundant opportunities for skilled analysts.
Discover the expanding landscape of Data Science and Data Analytics careers, and learn which in-demand skills will set your resume apart from the competition. Explore how AI is transforming the field and creating new opportunities for those who can harness its potential.
Whether you’re starting fresh or advancing your career, our comprehensive courses and expert instructors will equip you with the practical skills employers are looking for. Take the next step toward landing your ideal role in this dynamic, growing field.
Speaker
Partha Padmanabhan, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Data Science program, talks about how to learn these skills and prepare for the job market.
Sponsor
This winter info session series event is sponsored by the Data Science and Data Analytics Certificate program.

Register today.

The Everett Program Presents: Envisioning Digital Justice Together | 7th Annual Project Showcase
2025-12-10 15:30 - 19:00 | Merrill Cultural Center, 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The Everett Program Presents: Envisioning Digital Justice Together | 7th Annual Project Showcase
This showcase aims to highlight the incredible work of our students, who have completed a year-long practicum conceptualizing and using digital technology to work with nonprofit organizations on social justice issues from climate justice to the racist impacts of the carceral state.
This year, Showcase is an event in which the audience can not only come together to support these wonderful students and their work, but also to envision a range of digital futures together.
All are welcome! RSVP with the QR Code found on the poster, we hope to see you there 🙂

Singh, A. (ECE) - Quantum Key Distribution Using Entangled Pairs with Random Grouping
2025-12-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides information-theoretic security for cryptographic key establishment, but existing protocols exhibit limited noise tolerance, restricting their applicability in practical quantum channels with finite resources. This work introduces a QKD protocol based on entanglement swapping that significantly enhances error tolerance and key generation rates. The protocol encodes six-bit classical symbols into six-qubit entangled states organized as three Bell pairs. Key contributions include: (1) maintaining positive secrecy rates under 100% intercept-resend attacks, unprecedented among existing protocols, (2) proven security against collective attacks up to 29.29% quantum bit error rate (QBER), substantially exceeding BB84’s 11% threshold, and (3) finite-key security analysis demonstrating viable key generation under practical block size constraints. These results establish that structured multi-qubit encoding fundamentally broadens the operational capabilities of quantum key distribution, enabling secure communication in high-noise environments such as free-space satellite links and urban channels where conventional protocols fail.
Host: Archana Jayprakash Singh, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor: Zouheir Rezki
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/92875779810?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode- 530049

Research Lunch & Learn: Managing Conflicts of Interest and Commitment
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/96141024228?pwd=[REDACTED]
Join us for a discussion on Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI) and Conflicts of Commitment (COC) — what they are, why they matter, and how we manage them at UC Santa Cruz. This session will provide an overview of institutional processes for disclosing and reviewing potential conflicts, clarify the key differences between FCOI and COC, and explain how both are addressed in the context of federally funded research. Led by OR and APO experts, the speakers will also explore the broader implications of unmanaged conflicts on research integrity, public trust, and institutional accountability.

Speakers: Bri Quinn, Office of Research Compliance Administration; Karisa Breckenridge and Ibukun Bloom, Academic Personnel Office

Audience: UCSC researchers

Join Zoom Meeting: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/96141024228?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 961 4102 4228Passcode: [REDACTED]

One tap mobile+16694449171,,96141024228#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US+16699006833,,96141024228#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

Engineering Teaching Community (Faculty)
2025-12-10 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.

Zhu, R. (ECE) - From Neuromorphic Principles to Efficient Neural Language Architectures
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
While Large Language Models exhibit remarkable capabilities, their reliance on the standard Transformer architecture imposes prohibitive computational costs and quadratic memory complexity. To bridge the gap between biological efficiency and high-performance AI, we have established foundational work in linearizing attention and maximizing hardware utilization through architectures such as RWKV and MatMul-Free networks. Addressing the remaining bottlenecks in long-term memory consolidation and optimization stability, we propose a research roadmap focused on “In-Place Test-Time Training” (TTT) to enable compositional memory via dynamic weight updates, and the Muon optimizer to stabilize deep reasoning through orthogonal gradient updates. Ultimately, this work aims to unify neuromorphic principles with scalable deep learning to enable robust performance in resource-efficient environments.
Event Host: Ridger Zhu, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor: Jason Eshraghian
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/95241268060?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode- 256794

Finals Relief: Boba and Massage
2025-12-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Plaza, Student Union, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Take a break from the stress of studying for finals and enjoy boba and a short massage on the head and neck.
It’s free for UCSC students and will be held in the Quarry Plaza on Tuesday, December 9, 1-3 p.m.
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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.

Business Administration Info Session
2025-12-09 06:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Strong business skills are the key to success.
Join our live virtual discussion to explore how our courses and expert instructors can help you build a versatile and successful career in business.
We’ll talk about business leadership essentials and management science as well as practical skills crucial for everyday business operations and strategies. Our curriculum is uniquely designed to provide you with the competitive tools you need for career success.
Highlights

Insights into emerging trends in business, such as AI, and their impact on job opportunities.
Networking opportunities with industry professionals and experienced instructors.
Comprehensive overview of our Business Administration Certificate Program.

This is a great opportunity to understand how new business skills can inform your leadership style for today’s dynamic business environment.
Sponsor
This info session is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Professional Education Business Administration certificate program.
Register today.
