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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T090000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250819T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231630Z
UID:10000115-1756112400-1756112400@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Hawthorne\, N. (ECE) - An Out-of-the-Incubator Platform for Fluorescent Neural Monitoring and Stimulation Experiments
DESCRIPTION:Live-cell fluorescence microscopy enables high-resolution\, non-invasive imaging and optical stimulation of biological processes\, yet existing systems are often prohibitively expensive\, mechanically complex\, and poorly suited for wide field-of-view\, high-speed\, multi-channel experiments—particularly those involving optogenetics. To address these limitations\, I developed a low-cost\, modular fluorescence microscope constructed from 3D-printed mechanical components and off-the-shelf optics. I also contributed to the engineering of the incubator to support long-term live-cell imaging. The platform accommodates multi-channel fluorescence imaging with simultaneous optogenetic stimulation\, features configurable optical paths for different fluorophores\, offers motorized positioning via a 3-axis manipulator\, enables dual-camera alignment for concurrent imaging\, and incorporates integrated brightfield capability. \nThe system’s performance was demonstrated by imaging mScarlet and GCaMP6f fluorescence in live human forebrain organoids\, enabling visualization of single neurons and calcium dynamics. This thesis presents a detailed evaluation of the microscope’s optical\, mechanical\, and electronic subsystems\, alongside biological validation using both the microscope and stage-top incubator. An in-well media perfusion device is proposed to further enhance tissue spheroid experiments. All 3D-print files and component specifications are provided to facilitate replication and adaptation by future researchers. The resulting open and modular platform offers a cost-effective\, high-performance alternative for advanced fluorescence microscopy and optogenetic studies\, improving tissue culture monitoring and experimental throughput while identifying remaining challenges and opportunities for further innovation in the field. \nEvent Host: Nico Hawthorne\, Ph.D. Candidate\, Electrical & Computer Engineering
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/hawthorne-n-ece-an-out-of-the-incubator-platform-for-fluorescent-neural-monitoring-and-stimulation-experiments/
LOCATION:CA
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250825T180000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250605T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231312Z
UID:10000033-1756144800-1756144800@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Learn to build AI Applications
DESCRIPTION:Explore the future of AI with Praveen Krishna\nJoin Program Chair and AI expert Praveen Krishna for an insider’s look at the University of California’s first certificate in AI Application Development. Learn about the growing number of jobs involving AI\, the skills you'll need to build a competitive resume\, and the UCSC Silicon Valley classes that will support your development.  \n\nGet career-ready AI skills \nTaught by Silicon Valley leaders\, this program helps you master machine learning\, advanced AI techniques\, and portfolio-building projects. Whether you're in tech\, research\, or career transition\, this certificate gives you the skills to stand out in a fast-growing field. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the expert guiding the future of AI talent. \nThis info session event is sponsored by the AI Application Development Certificate program.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/ai-application-development-info-session-2/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T173000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250710T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231623Z
UID:10000068-1756229400-1756229400@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Jobscan for Job Seekers: Tools to Help You Get Hired
DESCRIPTION:Make your resume work smarter with Jobscan \n\nLearn how to create tailored resumes and cover letters using Jobscan’s free AI-powered tools. In this hands-on session\, you’ll discover how to optimize your application materials for specific job postings\, track the positions you’ve applied to\, and make the most of Jobscan’s features to stay organized and stand out in your job search. \nThis session is open exclusively to UCSC and UCSC Extension students.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/jobscan-for-job-seekers-tools-to-help-you-get-hired/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T180000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250625T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231619Z
UID:10000046-1756231200-1756231200@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Educational Therapy – Free fall Info Session
DESCRIPTION:Transform learning with Sharmila Roy\nJoin Educational Therapy program chair Sharmila Roy for a thoughtful program overview and hear how the uniquely designed curriculum empowers educators and professionals to make a lasting impact– in the classroom and beyond. As one of the few AET-approved programs\,  you’ll learn to assess learning challenges and apply effective\, research-based interventions. \nEmpower students and build your practice\nGain skills to support students with learning differences like dyslexia\, ADHD\, and autism using therapeutic and educational strategies. Whether you're working in schools or starting a private practice\, this program helps you create individualized plans that foster meaningful progress. \nThis fall info session is sponsored by the Educational Therapy certificate program.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/educational-therapy-free-fall-info-session/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T110000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250825T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231632Z
UID:10000124-1756292400-1756292400@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Rakshit\, G. (CSE) -Improving Question Answering through Figurativeness Understanding\, Semantic Representation and Multi-Agent Conflict Resolution
DESCRIPTION:Open-domain question answering (ODQA) systems come with diverse challenges — ranging from resolving conflicting information to interpreting figurative expressions and representing meaning in a human-understandable form. This dissertation presents three complementary contributions toward building more robust and interpretable QA systems. \nFirst\, we investigate QA model performance on figurative language. Introducing FigurativeQA\, a benchmark of yes/no questions with figurative and literal contexts\, we demonstrate that popular BERT-based QA systems underperform significantly on figurative text. However\, prompting-based approaches like ChatGPT with chain-of-thought reasoning can mitigate this gap\, particularly when figurative contexts are automatically simplified. \nSecond\, we present ASQ\, a novel tool for automatically generating question-answer meaning representations (QMR) from Abstract Meaning Representation (AMR) graphs. ASQ enables scalable and linguistically grounded QA dataset construction\, bridging traditional formal semantics with natural language interfaces. We show that ASQ-generated questions exhibit high content fidelity and overlap with existing crowd-annotated resources like QAMR. \nFinally\, we explore how large language models (LLMs) handle conflicting evidence in ODQA\, proposing a multi-agent framework where answers generated by different models are evaluated through a verification step. Experiments using the QACC dataset and state-of-the-art LLMs (GPT-4o\, Claude 4\, DeepSeek-R1) reveal that model diversity enhances answer quality\, though requiring explanations during verification does not always lead to improvements. \nTogether\, these contributions advance the interpretability\, robustness\, and accuracy of QA systems. \nEvent Host: Geetanjali Rakshit\, Ph.D Candidate\, Computer Science & Engineering
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/rakshit-g-cse-improving-question-answering-through-figurativeness-understanding-semantic-representation-and-multi-agent-conflict-resolution/
LOCATION:Engineering 2\, Engineering 2 1156 High Street\, Santa Cruz\, CA\, 95064
GEO:37.0009723;-122.0632371
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T120000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250819T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231630Z
UID:10000116-1756296000-1756296000@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Leavitt\, J. (BMEB) - Evolutionary Dynamics\, Functional Adaptations in Stress Response\, and Direct Detection of tRNA modifications in Archaea
DESCRIPTION:Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications are essential for structural integrity\, decoding fidelity\, and stress adaptation\, yet their dynamics across phylogenetically distinct archaeal species and their functional roles during stress remain incompletely understood. This dissertation aims to address some of these gaps through a multi-scale investigation that spans the evolutionary dynamics\, stress-responsive functions\, and direct detection of archaeal tRNA modifications. The first chapter maps this unexplored landscape by applying Ordered Two-Template Relay sequencing (OTTR-seq) across nine archaeal species from diverse and extreme environments. This comparative analysis revealed previously unrecognized\, coordinated modification patterns\, including mutually exclusive methylation patterns in the acceptor stem of hyperthermophiles. Additional comparisons revealed co-evolution of tRNA modifying enzymes\, demonstrating how their domain architectures and substrate specificities have diverged to shape lineage-specific adaptations. Building on these evolutionary observations\, the second chapter investigates the functional role of tRNA modifications in the stress responses of the model halophile Haloferax volcanii. This work reveals how tRNA modification dynamics might balance structural stability against flexibility to manage stress\, focusing on N2\,N2-dimethylguanosine (m22G) at position 26. By integrating tRNA sequencing\, proteomics\, and codon usage data within a linear mixed-effects model\, this work quantifies how the m22G modification status fine-tunes the translation of specific\, codon-biased genes\, establishing it as a modulator of the adaptive stress response. Addressing limitations of reverse-transcription (RT)-based sequencing methods for detecting modifications\, the final chapter explores the use of direct RNA nanopore sequencing. The focus is on archaeosine (G+)\, a modification unique to Archaea that is inaccessible to RT-based sequencing methods. The resulting custom model accurately detects archaeosine in its native species. However\, cross-species comparisons reveal significant challenges with species-specific overfitting\, providing insights into development of universally applicable modification callers. \nEvent Host: Jesse Leavitt\, Ph.D Candidate\, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/leavitt-j-bmeb-evolutionary-dynamics-functional-adaptations-in-stress-response-and-direct-detection-of-trna-modifications-in-archaea/
LOCATION:Biomedical Sciences Building\, 575 McLaughlin Drive
GEO:46.1226939;-64.7891251
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T110000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250821T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231433Z
UID:10000119-1756378800-1756378800@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Shanks\, C. (BMEB) -  Development and Application of Local Ancestry Methods for Population Genomics
DESCRIPTION:Local ancestry methods classify the segments of DNA inherited from a specific ancestry (e.g.\, African\, East Asian\, European)\, improving analyses of admixed populations. Aim 1 applies ancestry-specific analysis to more than 1000 whole genome sequences across Polynesia\, revealing strong bottlenecks in the voyagers who settled both Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui\, and confirming frequencies of Mendelian disease–causing variants in French Polynesia not found even in large-scale biobanks. Conventional local ancestry methods are only accurate for deeply diverged populations and recent admixture events. In aim 2 I present ARGMix\, a new deep-learning approach incorporating ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs)\, which contains the inferred history of coalescent events with recombination. This method classifies the local ancestry of present day Europeans as originating from early European farmers and hunter gather ancestries. As an application I find evidence of continuity between Ötzi the Iceman and present-day Europeans of similar geography. I further propose to apply ARGMix to trace the TCC/TTC mutational pulse strongest in Europeans across geography and time. In aim 3 I present a method incorporating these ancient local ancestries to improve polygenic risk scores in the UK biobank. \nEvent Host: Cole Shanks\, Ph.D Student\, Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/shanks-c-bmeb-development-and-application-of-local-ancestry-methods-for-population-genomics/
LOCATION:Biomedical Sciences Building\, 575 McLaughlin Drive
GEO:46.1226939;-64.7891251
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T120000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250924T212906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T212906Z
UID:10000107-1756382400-1756382400@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Faculty & Staff Health and Well-being: Create Calm: Stress Management Tools to Support Well-being
DESCRIPTION:Now more than ever\, we need to be equipped with tools and strategies to adapt to stressors both in the workplace and in our personal lives. In this workshop\, you will learn simple\, science-backed techniques including breathwork\, mindfulness\, and self-reflection to help manage stress and build better resilience for the future. Then you will discover how a holistic approach utilizing everyday healthy habits can help to proactively support mental well-being and create more space for calm. \nTo register\, please fill out the registration link. This presentation will be recorded and made available after the meeting. \nFor more information about upcoming workshops and events\, please visit the Wellness Event Calendar. \nFor questions\, please contact Health and Well-being Specialist\, Ashley Parker\, at aseparke@ucsc.edu.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/faculty-staff-health-and-well-being-create-calm-stress-management-tools-to-support-well-being/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T173000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250708T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231621Z
UID:10000063-1756402200-1756402200@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Networking Tools for Your Career
DESCRIPTION:Learn how to grow your professional connections using the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension LinkedIn Alumni Tool. In this interactive session\, you’ll discover smart strategies for expanding your network\, reaching out with confidence\, and asking for informational interviews that lead to real insights—and real opportunities. \nThis session is open exclusively to UCSC and UCSC Extension students. \nLearn more career tips.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/networking-tools-for-your-career/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250828T180000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250623T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231314Z
UID:10000044-1756404000-1756404000@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:Data Science and Data Analytics – Fall Info Session
DESCRIPTION:Master Data with Instructor Partha Padmanabhan\nJoin us for a conversation with Partha Padmanabhan\, Chair of our Data Science and Data Analytics programs\, and discover how our DSDA certificate is built to help professionals translate data into smart\, strategic business decisions. Get an inside look at the tools\, techniques\, and real-world AI applications shaping today's fast-moving analytics landscape. \nChoose Your Path: Science or Engineering\nWhether you're analyzing data or building the systems behind it\, you can specialize in Data Science or Data Engineering and earn a digital badge. This program prepares analysts\, scientists\, and IT professionals to thrive in a data-driven world. \nSpeaker\nMeet Parthasarathy Padmanabhan\, M.B.A.\, principal software engineer at one of Silicon Valley’s leading technology companies\, and get your questions answered. Parthasarathy brings more than 25 years of experience in information technology to his role and has worked in data modeling for more than 10 years. He teaches "Data Analysis" and "Business Intelligence Solutions\," and began serving as chair of the Data Science and Data Analytics Advisory Board in 2020. \nThis fall info session is sponsored by the Data Science and Data Analytics Program.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/data-science-and-data-analytics-fall-info-session/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250829T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250829T100000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250827T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231434Z
UID:10000132-1756461600-1756461600@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:AI Workshop: Model Context Protocol
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to our immersive AI technology workshop series. During these sessions you will be introduced to new and established AI tools that will help you create and manipulate content in new and powerful ways. Each session is led by an industry expert who will guide you through the material and share its real-world implications. \nLearning Outcomes \nBy the end of this hybrid-style workshop\, you'll be able to: \n\nExplain the core principles and motivations behind the Model Context Protocol (MCP)\, including its role in AI Agentic system communication and AI model integration.\nIdentify the structure and components of an MCP message and understand how context is preserved and passed across tasks or AI agents.\nImplement simple MCP interactions in a controlled setting using real-world tools and libraries.\nEvaluate the strengths and limitations of MCP in current AI Agentic system architectures\, including scalability and interoperability.\n\nTopics Include \n\nMCP Basics: What is Model Context Protocol and why does it matter in AI pipelines and agent interoperability?\nMessage Anatomy: Structure\, metadata\, tokens\, and temporal context.\nLive Demo: Walking through an MCP message lifecycle-create\, modify\, pass\, and interpret.\nHands-On Lab: Building a mini MCP-based interaction (e.g.\, agent-to-agent communication or contextual memory pass).\nChallenges & Use Cases: Real-world applications\, common pitfalls\, and current limitations.\n\nPrerequisites: Knowledge of LLM and AI Agents. \nNote: Please bring a laptop and have Google\, GitHub and Hugging Face accounts to participate in hands-on exercises.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/ai-workshop-model-context-protocol/
LOCATION:Silicon Valley Campus\, 3175 Bowers Avenue\, Santa Clara\, CA\, 95054\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations,Meetings & Conferences,Training
GEO:37.3796975;-121.9765484
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250830T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250830T100000
DTSTAMP:20260428T030707
CREATED:20250512T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T231311Z
UID:10000024-1756548000-1756548000@events.ucsc.edu
SUMMARY:[SOLD OUT] Avocado Production Workshop: From Planting to Harvest
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a workshop focused on successfully growing avocados in the greater Santa Cruz area. We'll cover the particulars of avocado care\, with an emphasis on variety selection for the Central Coast\, A-B flowering types\, pollination demystification\, soils and site selection\, irrigation\, fertilizers\, pruning\, and seasonal care. There will also be a troubleshooting / Q&A segment to provide all levels of the avocado-obsessed with the information necessary to set you on your way toward monstrous avocado harvests\, as well as a seasonal tasting of around a half dozen varieties to help find which variety might be perfect for you.
URL:https://events.ucsc.edu/event/avocado-production-workshop/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Presentations
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