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From President Drake
The strength that built us will sustain us
The last several months have challenged our university community in many ways. We find ourselves in a moment that requires us to navigate a great deal of uncertainty every day. This is not easy, and I know that many of you are understandably anxious about what is happening around you. In times like these, it’s important to reflect on why we are all here and all the good we do at the University of California.
The University of California leads the way in life-saving medical research, cutting-edge discoveries in quantum computing, AI, atomic physics, and much more. We serve as a national model for college affordability and social mobility, offering the opportunity for tens of thousands of students to earn a college degree and change the trajectory of their lives and careers for the better. Our contributions to research, medical care, humanities, the arts, and public service extend far beyond our campuses, hospitals and laboratories, providing real-life benefits to communities in our state, our nation and our world.
We do all this in the spirit of free inquiry, robust debate and clear-eyed truth that are the hallmarks of great universities the world over. We know that we’re not always perfect; in some areas, we have more work to do. As teaching and learning institutions, it is important that we remain willing to reflect openly and honestly on our shortcomings, to learn from challenges, and to grow in ways that make us better.
We are a community with the shared vision of a brighter future for all. We are a community that treasures academic and research excellence, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and the free exchange of varied viewpoints and ideas. These ideals are the foundation of our success. During turbulent times, we remain grounded in our values and fully committed to supporting our students, faculty and staff as they pursue the work that defines us.
There may not be easy answers or perfect solutions to the challenges we face, but we will respond with integrity. Working together, the strength that built us will sustain us.
Fiat Lux.
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President
Please visit the federal updates site for weekly updates on issues emanating from Sacramento and Washington.
Medical research changed this UC student’s life
Of 356 FDA-approved medicines developed from 2010 to 2019, 99.4% were funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes dozens of studies into spinal muscular atrophy, which has impacted UC Berkeley graduate student Ryan Manriquez since childhood. As the federal government plans to cut billions of dollars of NIH funding to universities, Ryan is speaking up. “Funding medical research is about more than just numbers. It’s real people,” he says. Read Ryan’s story.
California state funding is also essential: Here’s how you can help.
Prepare to be amazed by Grad Slam
From nixing power outages to stopping Alzheimer’s disease, UC graduate students’ advances will affect us all. Get a mini-master class on these and other cutting-edge research projects at Grad Slam, the UC-wide competition that challenges students to explain complex research in just three minutes. This year’s event takes place on April 29 at 10:30 a.m. (PT). Here’s what to know and how to watch.
Another calendar-worthy event: On May 15, the UC Electronic Accessibility Committee will host a Global Accessibility Awareness Day webinar, open to all UC staff.
UC nurses are leading the future of AI in nursing
At UC Health, nurses play a key role in the programs and initiatives that examine how AI can be integrated into the health care landscape to improve their professional roles and patients’ experiences. Here’s how they’re envisioning the future of health care.
In other good news from UC Health: Over two-thirds of UC medical school grads will remain in California; UC’s clinical and translational science institutes are saving lives; UCSF Fresno is celebrating 50 years; and UCSF neuro-immunologist Stephen Hauser has received a Breakthrough Prize.
Share your benefits feedback by April 25
UC Systemwide Human Resources has partnered with Deloitte to conduct a comprehensive employee benefits survey for faculty and staff. All responses are confidential — and essential to helping UC provide benefits that are relevant to you. Here’s what to expect.
Also in benefits news: Learn how to retire with “no lapse in pay” and discover the redesigned myUCretirement.com.
UC Spotlight: Kudos for our work together
Our monthly UC Spotlight celebrates UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. Read this month’s Spotlight for stories and photos of staff who are making a difference. Then, share your achievements.
Recognizing extraordinary staff: The Council of UC Staff Assemblies has announced the recipients of the 2025 CUCSA Awards, which recognize exceptional staff throughout UC! For more on what CUCSA’s been up to, read the quarterly meeting update.
Meet UC’s women Nobel laureates
Of the 749 people who’ve won the prize in a scientific field — physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, or economics — just 29 have been women. And of that small group, nearly one in four have ties to the University of California. Meet UC’s seven women Nobelists who have overcome the odds and changed the world.
More inspiring UC scholars: UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang was recently honored with a UC Presidential Medal and 46 UC researchers were named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
4 California critters making a comeback with help from UC researchers
Yesterday was Earth Day! To celebrate, we’ve compiled stories from the past year of UC research that illustrate the resilience of life on our planet and demonstrate the power of humans to help solve problems of our own making. Here’s how we’re helping California wildlife thrive.
Bonus relatable research: Acclaimed UC San Diego scientist Susan Tapert explains the science behind doomscrolling and UCLA Health shares research-proven steps to pollution-proof your skin.
UC People
UC People: Katie Healey, disability justice champion
Along with hosting a disability-focused podcast, Katie is challenging ableist culture and revamping accessibility training for instructors at UC Davis.
UC voices
“I’ve always been interested in money, class, privilege and how we use objects to leverage status.” — Sameer Pandya
Associate professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of the new literary thriller, “Our Beautiful Boys”
More UC news
UC Presidential Medal awarded to Irwin Jacobs and late wife Joan
New multicampus consortium looks to expand solar-over-canal projects statewide
Departing Staff Advisor Andenet Emiru on the “strength, resilience and unity” of UC staff
Explore innovation and best practices in AI
Celebrate Earth Month with UC Travel webinars
For questions about UCnetwork, contact our editorial team at ucnetwork@universityofcalifornia.edu.