UCnetwork is emailed monthly to University of California staff, but all members of the UC community are invited to subscribe. Get UCnetwork delivered to your inbox. Read on for our December issue!
12 amazing UC discoveries of 2024
In the past year, UC researchers have boldly peered into the depths of the universe and plumbed the mysteries of the human body, from cortex to colon. They tried to avoid insulting a 60,000-pound creature circling their boat. They even waded into fights between friends. Thankfully, they’ve all come back in one piece, and they’ve brought new ways of understanding ourselves, our planet and our place in the universe.
Wondering what’s next on the horizon? Find out about the projects we’ve just funded through the Multicampus Research Program Initiative.
A year of climate breakthroughs
Climate change is real. But so is climate progress, and it’s happening here in California. There have been so many exciting advancements over the past year that we’re calling them out in their own article — from bolstering electrical grids and solar power to reducing emissions to a substance that can passively filter carbon from ambient air.
Explore global climate impact and progress: Read perspectives from UC’s COP29 delegation.
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, learn how to share your achievements.
2025 tax and benefits reminders
The end of the year is a great time to make sure your accounts are in order — and that you’re maximizing your UC benefits! Brush up on FSA eligible expenses and carryover rules; review tax information and deadlines and plan for updated IRS contribution limits next year.
Stay in touch: Make sure that UC can reach you with important benefits news! Keep your contact info current.
Chronicling UC’s COVID-19 response
In late November, UC released a detailed evaluation of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting key strategies, observations and areas for future improvement. Explore the findings here.
More UC Health news: The UC academic care model supports mothers and children before, during and after pregnancy.
Why some concussions are worse than others
The newest video from UC’s award-winning Fig. 1 video series explores what happens to your brain — your wrinkly, jiggly control center — when you get a concussion. Plus, learn about what sports to avoid and updates in helmet technology.
Keep watching: Follow Fig. 1 on YouTube!
Notable UC books of 2024
Curl up in a cozy nook (or at the beach) with a great read! Featuring New York Times bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize winners and some of the most buzz-worthy titles, catch up on these great reads from UC authors.
UC People
Kathleen Cinelli, community connector
As a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit nurse with deep connections to her patients, Kathleen created an opportunity for lasting ties between providers, patients and families.
From President Drake
Our 2024 accomplishments
As 2024 draws to a close, I’d like to thank the University of California community for all of your extraordinary work, and all that we’ve accomplished together. Please check out the short video below that captures some of the highlights.
Happy holidays to you and your loved ones — and Fiat Lux!
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President
UC voices
“We’ve been able to disrupt the mythology that diversity comes at the expense of excellence.”
— Mark A. Lawson, director, and an alumnus, of the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which has been hailed as a model for attracting faculty applicants from groups underrepresented in academia
More UC news
Save the date for a systemwide Town Hall featuring President Drake and CUCSA
UC leads the nation in highly influential scientists and researchers
UC awards $6 million to research aimed at reducing cancer among firefighters
San Diego-based philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs honored with UC Presidential Medals
UC alumna appointed senior vice president of External Relations and Communications
UC announces new appointment to Board of Regents
Subscribe to UC news: Fiat Lux and UC Health Highlights
Meet inspiring UC transfer students: Brandon Sánchez Mejia, UC Berkeley; Lynnelle Pantoja, UC Merced; Shadoe Neri-Dewitt, UC Santa Barbara; Victor Andrade, UC Riverside; Vinh Ton, UC Davis; and Warif Kastoun, UCSF
For questions about UCnetwork, contact our editorial team at ucnetwork@universityofcalifornia.edu.