2024 Science Division Projects
2024 Science Division Projects
Embedded Files
Here are the 2024 Giving Day projects from the UCSC Science Division in the categories of: Dean's Fund; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Impactful Research; and Student Experience.
To support a project, click on the title link!
Dean's Fund
The Dean’s Excellence Fund allows the division to achieve the next level of excellence. Contributions to this fund allow the dean the flexibility to launch new programs, supplement scholarships, enhance facilities, and support research opportunities that make a difference in our community and world. Gifts to the Excellence Fund maximize your impact in the sciences at UC Santa Cruz.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
The Academic Excellence (ACE) Program reduces the achievement gap for historically underrepresented students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We've been doing this successfully for more than 38 years! ACE increases educational equity through community building, peer-mentorship, and supplemental active learning experiences aligned with academic coursework.
The Division of Graduate Studies, Office of African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Student Success, and Science and Justice Research Center are building intentional collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in order to improve the training and development of future scientific leaders. Currently, we are working with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCATSU) to provide UCSC and NCATSU undergraduate and graduate students and faculty with important opportunities to gain valuable professional development experiences in the pursuit of research, community, and knowledge exchange.
Part of creating a welcoming graduate program is to acknowledge and address the fact that the cost of living in Santa Cruz creates a hardship that disproportionately affects students from minoritized groups. These inequities create barriers to achievement and success, and the Ocean Sciences Equity & Inclusion Student Hardship Fund helps support graduate students who face these barriers. The Ocean Sciences Equity & Inclusion Student Hardship Fund ensures that we are preparing our graduate students of all backgrounds and circumstances to be scientists with outstanding research, teaching, and professional skills.
UCSC's oSTEM chapter was founded by PhD students and researchers in UCSC's Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, but we now include students from departments across campus. We are a team of passionate graduate student organizers who aim to increase LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in STEM disciplines. We bring inspiring queer scientists to campus, offer professional development for queer students, and support our members in the wider UCSC community. We hope to show aspiring LGBTQ+ students at all stages that it is possible to be both queer and awesome scientists!
The objective of the Santa Cruz Organization for Outreach in Physics (SCOOP) is to make the field of physics more accessible to the general public and to increase the representation of historically marginalized groups in the discipline. To achieve these goals, we organize a diverse array of events that encourage engagement and learning for all.
The Secret Society of Mentors is an inclusive and mutually-supportive community of UCSC STEM grads who mentor undergraduates in their labs. The SSM offers a much-needed space for graduate students to explore challenges and share strategies for effective mentoring. We have already hosted three successful workshops on improving communication and goal setting, as well as providing a welcoming environment and a sense of belonging to mentees. During these workshops, we share resources, brainstorm activities, and plan action items to help mentors assess their own experiences and identify areas that would benefit from wider discussion with fellow mentors.
Impactful Research
This science+art collaboration is creating fog collection sculptures to build oases providing water for people, local plants, birds, frogs, mammals, and a multitude of other life. Fog stations are passive collectors that gather water that is otherwise passing over and not reaching the ground, thus extending the growing season for some native plants, and providing water during times of drought.
Help us Weigh the Weanling elephant seals! We need your help to weigh the weanlings so we can expand our knowledge of elephant seals while providing remarkable hands-on field experience for aspiring marine biologists. We are raising $10,000 to hire a field leader to organize and train our volunteers and also purchase the various supplies necessary to make the effort successful. Please make a donation today to help us weigh the weanlings and learn more about these amazing animals.
Help us support rising leaders in Coastal Science and Policy in sharing their research and solutions-oriented projects. Your funding will support travel and conference support for Coastal Science and Policy Fellows to enhance the reach of their capstone projects.
We are the Long Marine Lab - Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and we respond to all dead marine mammals in Santa Cruz County. Our mission is to advance science, education, and public awareness of marine mammals and ocean health through response and detailed examination of marine mammal carcasses. For over 25 years, we have contributed high-quality research data to the broader marine mammal science community. Numerous researchers have used these data to further understand marine mammal populations. Along with data from our neighboring partners, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network data has also contributed to changes in fishing regulations, a better understanding of marine mammal health and disease, and the link between human and ocean health.
The Marine Mammal Physiology Project relies heavily on donation support to help cover time periods that we are without grant funds, or for things that we cannot purchase with grants. We are so grateful for your support, especially in this year when we are between granting cycles. Funds will go directly to the care and feeding of the dolphins, Hawaiian monk seal, and birds, as well as the student experience for our highly valuable students. Thank you in advance!
Scientists at the UC Santa Cruz RNA Center are pushing the boundaries of molecular biology's central dogma- the theory explaining how genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to produce proteins and regulate other functions of living cells. The Center encompasses 20 RNA faculty laboratories across departments of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Biomedical Engineering; and Computer Science and Engineering.
A core mission of the Center is to train RNA scientists of the future. Funds raised through this UCSC Giving Day Drive will help support RNA Center Student Success by supporting undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.
The UCSC STEM Postdoc Symposium is an annual research symposium dedicated to highlighting research from early career researchers at UCSC. Your donation will help us bring Nobel Laureates, CEOs and distinguished scientific leaders to this event and provide a vibrant and engaging venue for Santa Cruz researchers to present and receive feedback on their work.
Student Experience
Health and Medicine
For the past 30 years, the UC Santa Cruz Chemistry Department has run ACCESS, a summer academic bridge program for community college students interested in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences. This program has focused on students from backgrounds historically under-represented in the sciences and given them a 10-week research experience. The funds garnered here will directly support these students to live on campus, join a lab, perform cutting edge research and present their work at national science conferences, such as SACNAS. This experience will ease the transition from community college to baccalaureate universities and motivate underrepresented community college science students to pursue biomedical research.
Pre-med students are required to complete 80 internship hours to graduate. These internships help students gain experience and understand community engagement in the medical field. The Health Sciences Internship Fund will provide financial support to students while they intern and work to become well-rounded medical professionals. This support will alleviate cost of living expenses, transportation expenses, onboarding expenses, uniform expenses, etc.
The Mary Zavanelli Endowment fund provides full summer support for undergraduates in health sciences to conduct independent research projects. This support allows the students to focus full time on developing their projects and their research skills, and not have to work to support themselves. This fund was established in honor of Mary Zavanelli, a beloved lecturer in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology.
The MCD Biology General Fund goes to the area of greatest need in the department and provides crucial support for education and research. Donations brighten the future of our student and faculty researchers by allowing career growth and exciting new discoveries.
The Robert A. Ludwig Memorial Scholarship Fund provides our young scientists with crucial experiences. This scholarship provides funds for attendance in special summer courses and conferences and small stipends to complete promising research.
The dream of UCSC Treehouse is to defeat childhood cancer by using computation to find better treatment options. We lead the Treehouse Undergraduate Bioinformatics Immersion (TUBI) program, which has trained multiple cohorts on bioinformatic projects that contribute to the search for these new treatments. Students experience being a part of a research team while learning key bioinformatics concepts and soft skills that they can translate into successful careers. Your gift to TUBI will help train a member of the next generation of computational genomic scientists to join us in our mission of defeating childhood cancer.
International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) is an international competition dedicated to education and the advancement of synthetic biology. Each year, we assemble an interdisciplinary group of undergraduates with the common goal of creating a better world through science and engineering. The annual competition draws together student teams from around the globe to present their synthetic biology projects that aim to address 21st century grand challenges.
Earth and Cosmos
Transform our astrophysics major into a vibrant, immersive experience! Your gift brings a diverse group of undergraduate students to the front door of Lick Observatory, funding the trip that takes them up the mountain and, ultimately, to the stars. Foster inclusivity and nurture these students' sense of belonging as aspiring astronomers, researchers, and scientists by supporting their visit to our historic working observatory during their class at UC Santa Cruz. Join us in making SPACE for everyone!
Camping and spending time in the field is an important part of an earth & environmental science education for many UCSC undergraduates, but it can also be daunting and discouraging for students who have little or no experience with it. GEODES is raising money to be able to offer a free mini-course on camping for undergraduate students at UCSC, where they will learn the basics of camping before having to go on overnight camping field trips for their classes. We will meet early in the quarter to teach the basics of camping in a classroom setting and then they will apply what they learned on a local one-night weekend camping trip. Money will be put towards transportation, food, rental gear for the students and campground fees.
The Earth & Planetary Sciences (EPS) Achievement Fund supports our greatest needs and special projects in the department. Giving to the Achievement Fund allows us to direct funding where it is needed most, such as undergraduate research experiences and alumni events that foster important connections and bring additional resources into the department. We invite you to give to this special needs fund so that we can support essential initiatives within our department.
The UCSC Transients team, led by Prof. Ryan Foley, was the first to observe the optical light coming from the merging of two neutron stars, leading to Science Magazine's 2017 Breakthrough of the Year. We are raising funds to send undergraduate team members to Lick Observatory to observe and continue contributing to our understanding of gravitational-wave astrophysics. Every $260 raised will fully fund one undergraduate student to observe on Mt. Hamilton for one night, providing an unforgettable and enriching research experience!
Provide Bay Area kids with their first look through a telescope and inspire the next generation of future scientists! Your gift will purchase a new solar telescope to allow Lick Observatory to expand its school visit program. Students who could not normally visit our observatory will have the opportunity see the sun (including flares and spots!), meet an astronomer, and have a real moment of personal connection with the sky. Join us in making SPACE for everyone!
Climate and Life
Your gift honors the memory of a founding science faculty member who helped make UC Santa Cruz a science powerhouse and a supportive incubator of student excellence. The annual Garrison award recognizes outstanding Ocean Sciences graduate students who have shown exceptional scholarship, teaching and mentoring, and service to their community.
UCSC’s Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department is known for its high-impact, hands-on field and research opportunities for undergraduate students. However, our junior transfer students often have limited time to build the faculty connections necessary to access these opportunities. Your support can help fund and create partnerships with faculty to provide paid research experiences for transfer students during their first year or summer at UCSC.
UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve is a UC Natural Reserve System site dedicated to facilitating research and student experiential learning opportunities. We have created hundreds of opportunities for thousands of undergraduates and K-12 students in recent years, with minimal infrastructure and a small budget. We seek to update our aging collection of tools with modern and functional field biology kit (scales, microscopes, botanical tools, etc.), as well as a small solar system to support a renewable electricity source at our off-grid outdoor classroom. Help us create essential field experiences that train the next generation of conservation leaders!
Launch a student's marine science career via Seymour Center’s Student Aquarist Program.
There are limited technical, hands-on, professional marine science jobs that can accommodate a student's schedule. With community support, the Seymour Center will offer three student aquarist roles this year. Mentored by Peter Macht, the Seymour Center’s 25-year veteran aquarium curator, these students learn aquarium husbandry techniques through cleaning and maintaining the tanks, keeping with animal care protocol, and learning the seawater system functions.
An iconic figure at UC Santa Cruz's Institute for Marine Sciences, J. Gordon Smith navigated the Monterey Bay and beyond from 1986 to 2003 as the dedicated skipper of the David Johnston, a research vessel pivotal to the endeavors at the Long Marine Lab and the U.S. Geological Survey. Inspired by Gordon's deep-seated love for the ocean and his indelible impact on marine education, his loved ones alongside former colleagues initiated the Gordon Smith Memorial Scholarship, ensuring that his spirit continues to nurture the ambitions of young marine enthusiasts at UC Santa Cruz. Every year, an exceptional undergraduate student is selected to be the torchbearer of Gordon's legacy. Through the Gordon Smith Memorial Scholarship, these promising marine biologists realize their dream of unveiling the mysteries of our vast oceans.
The John Pearse Endowment for Field Courses honors John's amazing legacy in experiential field courses while he was a faculty member in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). John's courses had profound impacts on students and created the foundation for EEB's current field courses. Funding focuses on increasing the quality of and accessibility to EEB's many field courses.
The Plant Sciences Fund at UC Santa Cruz supports research and educational activities for students across all departments. The UCSC Greenhouses are a focal point and gathering place for this diverse and enthusiastic community of plant lovers. Our Giving Day campaign raises essential funding to cover student research and support the activities of the Plant Science Club. We can’t do it without you!
Every year our local flora faces threats from land use changes, climate impacts, and more. The UCSC Greenhouses Plant Conservation Program seeks to identify local species at risk, grow them for ex-situ seed amplification, and distribute the seeds to conservation programs, researchers, or seed banks as appropriate. This year our Rare Plant Conservation Interns will be focusing on saving fresh seeds from the late Randall Morgan's Trifolium seed collections. Your contribution to our efforts will make a big impact on species conservation.
The Fisheries Opportunity Fund (FOF) supports programs and professional development opportunities for students interested in fisheries-related science and FCP members. Past funds have been used to support summer research projects, hands-on student internship experiences, DEI-focused student seminars, student networking/professional development opportunities, and community-building events. Gifts are necessary to continue offering opportunities and programs that support our conservation & DEI efforts.
Every quarter, dozens of students intern and volunteer at Younger Lagoon Reserve. These amazing students assist with native habitat restoration, land stewardship, and biological monitoring. The work is often dirty and requires specialized field gear including boots, rain pants, warm layers, binoculars, and more. We lend gear to students who need it and after a while, it wears out. This year, we're raising funds to replenish our Field Gear Closet so that we can continue to support students at the reserve.
Student Success
UCSC’s Cal Teach program supports math, science, and engineering (STEM) majors to explore and prepare for K-12 teaching careers. Now more than ever, our society needs to rebuild and sustain its corps of outstanding STEM-educated teachers. Teachers are crucial to inspire and prepare the diverse creators, innovators, and informed citizens of tomorrow. Cal Teach depends on the funds raised on Giving Day to provide scholarships for undergraduate prospective math or science teachers that reduce the financial burden of choosing a career in public service.
There is a huge gap between scientists and the public. The Science Communication Program teaches students how to bridge that gap. During this one-year program, students focus entirely on practical training through rigorous coursework and diverse internships, including reporting for local newsrooms. Our students help provide science, health, and environment coverage for outlets that may not have the resources to hire full-time reporters to cover these critical beats, nor do they have the capacity to financially support our student interns. Your gift will directly support these valuable internships. Please don’t be shy, as a contribution of any size will help! If we’re able to raise even $50 per student, it would mean they could cover transportation costs to report on issues in the communities they cover.
Step into a world where science meets success with Science Excellence! Imagine a journey where every step is guided, every question answered, and every goal achieved. Science Excellence isn't just about supporting students—it's about transforming their academic journey from uncertainty to confidence! But we can't do it alone. We need champions like YOU to join us in shaping the future of science. Your support will fuel our mission to expand our services, reach more students, and ensure that every aspiring scientist has the tools they need to succeed.
The Chemistry Club at UC Santa Cruz strives to build a community of students interested in chemistry and related fields. Members gain opportunities to network with faculty and local industry as well as outreach to local schools at events throughout the academic year. Peer mentoring and study sessions are regularly held!
The Undergraduate Research in Science & Technology (URST) Endowment supports undergraduate research projects. We seek to expand research opportunities so more undergraduates can have career-building experiences through grants from the Undergraduate Research in Science & Technology (URST) program.
Page updated
Report abuse