UCnetwork: August 2026

Will CRISPR fix all of our problems? Maybe.

CRISPR gene editing — which famously earned UC scientist Jennifer Doudna a 2020 Nobel Prize — has turned science fiction into reality. To show you how, UC’s award-winning Fig. 1 video series takes you into four UC labs that are using CRISPR technology in completely unexpected ways to tackle some of our world’s toughest challenges. Watch the video to explore CRISPR’s possibilities!

For even more videos about science, culture and new discoveries from the University of California, check out the Fig. 1 channel on YouTube.

Advancing energy, discovery and national security through the Genesis Mission

UC is a crucial partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, a historic effort to develop AI-enabled scientific workflows designed to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, discovery science and national security. UC investigators lead 40 of the mission’s 278 projects, tackling major challenges from commercial fusion to faster chip design. The work brings together faculty from seven UC campuses and scientists at three UC-affiliated national laboratories. Here’s how we’re revolutionizing U.S. innovation.

Growing innovation in California healthcare: University of California Health recently launched applications for the 2026 Grow Grants. This Proposition 35-funded grant opportunity will invest up to $3.5 million in innovative medical education programs throughout California.

President Milliken marks his first year at UC

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, President Milliken celebrated his first year leading UC with a commemorative video, community message and Substack post, sharing, “This first year has given me an even greater appreciation for the people behind UC’s remarkable accomplishments, and I’m grateful to be part of this extraordinary community.”

Celebrating America 250: On July 9, President Milliken hosted Beverly Gage, Ph.D., a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and leading scholar of 20th-century U.S. history. Read his reflections on the conversation and check out the event video. And, learn how the UC Regents marked UC’s extraordinary contributions to our country.

More from our fearless leader: President Milliken just shared a postcard from his recent trip to Los Alamos National Lab.

Science should be based on merit, not politics

The White House has proposed new changes that would give political appointees control over what research gets funding, allowing grants to be canceled anytime political priorities change. Lawmakers can stop these changes, but they need to know that people are paying attention. Add your name to protect merit-based research.

Help protect UC! To stay up to date with the latest campaigns to protect the university, join the UC Advocacy Network.

UC Riverside offers 50% UC staff discount for new Online MBA program

If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step in your career, now might be the time: UC Riverside’s new online MBA program will offer a half-tuition scholarship for full-time employees at all UC locations to earn a Master of Business Administration degree. Here’s what you need to know.

SF Bay Area and Sacramento-based employees: The UC Davis Graduate School of Management earmarks 20 significant UC staff scholarships (up to $60K) for its Part-Time MBA and Part-Time Master of Management programs.

Estate-planning resources for your UC accounts

Whether you’re early in your career or retiring soon, keeping your employment-related documents, records and accounts up to date and organized is worth the effort. Give youself peace of mind and prepare your loved ones to navigate your estate with these helpful tips.

Aging well with UC: UCLA and UC Berkeley are members of the Age-Friendly University Global Network, a consortium of higher-ed institutions committed to enhancing the lives of older adults through education, research, and community engagement.

Wildfire smoke is worse than you think

It’s not your imagination: things are getting smokier. Here in California, across the country and around the world, more people are breathing heavier smoke from more wildfires, more often. UC scientists are studying how this growing crisis affects our health — and the findings are alarming.

Also in science news: Learn why a UC food safety expert continues to eat salad during a Cyclospora lettuce outbreak.

UC Press author wins James Beard Award for a fresh look at the tomato

First-time author Anny Gaul’s book, “Nile Nightshade: An Egyptian Culinary History of the Tomato,” was published by UC Press last year. In 2026, it received the 2026 James Beard Award for Reference, History, and Scholarship. Find out how Gaul traced the tomato’s journey from fields to markets to home kitchens and into food policy.

Reinventing a historic journal. The UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation now manages Current History, the oldest continuously published journal on global affairs in the U.S.

Keep summer fun going with 8 wellness-boosting ideas

Backpack-and-pencil time is here, but it’s not too late to treat yourself to a healthy dose of summer joy. UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center shares how, from stargazing to live music to eating outdoors, many favorite summery luxuries are simple, inexpensive and even good for you. Explore the list.

Also in wellness news: Research has shown about 1 in 7 U.S. adults has chronic kidney disease and more than 90% don’t know that they’re affected. Learn how to keep your kidneys healthy with advice from UC PPO Plans.

UC People

UC People: Bora Lee Reed, historical fiction writer

Bora Lee Reed, a 20-year UC employee, wrote an inspiring novel based on historical research and her family’s experiences during the devastating Korean War.

Meet Bora