Chemistry researchers are always on the lookout for processes that unlock molecules and the bonds that can put them together ⚛️ UCSB professor Yang Yang's research group has developed a new mechanism for metal carbene radical cross coupling, one that was until now unknown. https://ow.ly/nUf750Zeems

Professor Paul Atzberger’s group at #UCSB is developing new ways to incorporate common-sense knowledge about the world into AI systems. His recent work has been focused on geometric understanding. Full story: https://ow.ly/XcAZ50ZfmO8

The first group of doctoral students in UCSB Graduate Division's GRAD EDGE program arrives in July. Funded through the University of California's Growing Our Own initiative, GRAD EDGE provides research engagement, mentorship and community-building, before the academic year: https://ow.ly/NYYC50Zhj18

Developing a bridge between mathematics and neuroscience and revealing the brain's hidden language beneath the noise, #UCSB's Fatih Dinc has earned the Richard C. DiPrima Prize from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics 🧠 Full story: https://ow.ly/Qcgh50ZfkQ8

UC Santa Barbara has appointed Elena Irwin as the new dean of the prestigious Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, a leading environmental graduate program. Full story: https://ow.ly/Busz50ZfWHw

A study conducted by #UCSB researchers & collaborators found that California has lost more than half of its coastal dune systems due to a combination of urban development, land-use changes and erosion. "There are major implications of this loss for the California coast." https://ow.ly/YhT850ZflgT

Congrats to UCSB's Howard Chiang, one of the winners of The Dan David Prize, the largest history prize in the world 🏆 Chiang is a historian of modern East Asian thought and culture with an emphasis on the critical study of science, medicine, race, gender and sexuality. https://ow.ly/qyIr50Zcqpv

Historically, dengue fever has been rare in California. But according to new research out of UC Santa Barbara & UC Berkeley, a warming climate is making parts of the state more hospitable to the illness—and the mosquitoes that carry it. Full story: https://ow.ly/ENXH50Zee4f

Two programs at #UCSB's Koegel Autism Center are giving local teens on the autism spectrum and with related neurodivergent profiles something many families struggle to find: a place to build social skills, make friends and spend time together in a supportive environment. https://ow.ly/peiw50Zc2tH

#UCSB researchers have just released the latest version of one of the world’s most widely used rainfall data products, CHIRPS ☔️ "We’ve significantly enhanced CHIRPS v3 to paint a more accurate picture of both drought and flood risk." https://ow.ly/XJqK50Zah1X

UCSB is stepping into a new era of 3D printing with a $1.15 million grant from the National Science Foundation to purchase the most cutting-edge technology available: a 3D rapid nanoprinting system based on two-photon photolithography. Full story: https://ow.ly/3v3x50Zc2e7

That's a wrap! Congrats to the UCSB 2026 graduates on all of your incredible achievements 🎓💙 Commencement season may be over at UC Santa Barbara but we're still reliving all the incredible moments from the last week of ceremonies. Shout out your favorite grads 🎉

#UCSB students, faculty, and alumni were honored at this year's Indy Awards for acting and stagecraft 🎭 From the theatrical adaptation of "Animal Farm," to Naked Shakes' production of "The Tempest," UCSB celebrated a strong year in theater. Full story: https://ow.ly/x8Nt50Z9uNW

With Commencement officially underway, UC Santa Barbara has announced the newest recipients of its most prestigious student honors, awarded for scholastic achievement, extraordinary service and personal courage and persistence. Full story: https://ow.ly/a5nL50ZafsS

From farmworker fields in California to war in Vietnam to a doctoral degree in history, Alex Fabros, 80, is #UCSB's oldest PhD recipient. To fellow graduates he would say, "You have done something difficult—now do something meaningful with it." Full story: https://ow.ly/cBTG50Zaajm

#UCSB kicked off its first commencement of 2026, honoring the 74 undergraduates of the College of Creative Studies 🎓 Established in 1967, the CCS's mission has been to recruit imaginative & driven undergrads who demonstrate talent for original work in art or science: 🔗 https://ow.ly/6cKV50Z9HMT

So many generations of Sociology at @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social all in one place at our end of year gathering this year. Emeriti faculty, first year Assistant Profs, our grad students, and many UG honors students too. So proud to be a part of this history. @ucsbsocialsciences.bsky.social

Now in its eighth year, the Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR) at UC Santa Barbara has crowned its 2026 winners 🏆 Full story: https://ow.ly/nkck50Z90JO

"If we give the ocean a little space to breathe, I think it’ll come back." On #WorldOceansDay, learn more about #UCSB marine ecologist Ben Halpern 🌊 🔬 Full story: https://ow.ly/BRwA50Z8T7N

Cultivated lawns, cleared cattle pastures and carefully groomed hair all reflect a shared cultural logic, according to a new book by #UCSB anthropology professor Jeffrey Hoelle. Full story: https://ow.ly/Jr1e50Z7bqw

Known as a reclusive environmentalist, the myth of Henry David Thoreau often misses the man behind the legend. Based at the UCSB Library, the Thoreau Edition has marked a milestone with the publication of The Correspondence of Henry D. Thoreau: Volume 3: 1857–1862. https://ow.ly/3ivw50Z6riG

Commencement season is here! At #UCSB, more than 6,700 students—a combination of both undergraduate and graduate—have declared their candidacy to earn degrees in 2026. And they’ll all be honored across 11 official events over eight days. Full story: https://ow.ly/eci450Z7hgS

#UCSB's Syee Weldeab has found that distant winds can drive massive tropical warming deep below the ocean surface. He identified a previously unknown mechanism that transfers heat into the deep ocean, even when surface water temperatures remain relatively stable. 🔗 https://ow.ly/Z2Sj50Z6soC

"From overfishing, to mega-fires, the planet is squaring off against some significant environmental challenges. But investments like this in next generation scientific leaders should give us all hope." The Schmidt Family Foundation has renewed a grant at #UCSB 📚🔬 https://ow.ly/ja2l50Z7fQU

If your community was threatened by a wildfire, would you be able to quickly evacuate? A new study from the #UCSB reveals that the number of roads out of a community may be one of the strongest predictors of wildfire fatalities. Full story: https://ow.ly/rJgA50Z6QK1

#UCSB's Dorit Hanein was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows for her leadership in advancing cryo-imaging techniques. Her work allows scientists to see cells in 3D, close to how they exist in real life. Full story: https://ow.ly/qmUu50Z6qgb

Following the inauguration of UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis, the campus hosted an academic symposium that highlighted breakthroughs and innovations by UCSB researchers across disciplines. Full story: https://ow.ly/F8if50Z6iak

In a new collection, #UCSB's Victoria Houser explores how purity culture shapes how people navigate sexuality, gender, and more. "We wanted a really wide range of people's stories and representations of queer stories, people of color," said Houser. Full story: https://ow.ly/S0UW50Z4LA0

National recognition continues for Laura Simone Lewis. The @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social assistant professor has earned the @ampsychfdn.bsky.social Robert L. Fantz Memorial Award for Young Psychologists. Congratulations, Laura! #UCSBScienceOfMind psych.ucsb.edu/news-events/...

Congratulations to physics professor David Weld on being named a 2026 National Brown Investigator. A major honor for curiosity-driven quantum science at UCSB, with up to $2M over five years to support new work with ultracold atoms and quantum optical systems. #QuantumScience

Gray whales are making unusual detours into San Francisco Bay, and researchers at @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social are using AI-powered thermal cameras to protect them. The system detects whale blows and heat signatures in real time, alerting ships to reroute to avoid collisions. https://bit.ly/4uBZABT

UCSB physics professor David Weld has been selected for Caltech’s 2026 National Brown Investigator Awards 🏆 An atomic physicist who studies quantum dynamical phenomena using ultracold quantum degenerate gases, Weld will receive up to $2 million over five years. 🔗 https://ow.ly/67GV50Z5EPN

California dignitaries and scholars from across the country filled the Lobero Theatre for the inauguration of UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis. "This is a moment for big ideas...A moment where UC Santa Barbara can make a lasting impact on society.” https://ow.ly/HUv950Z5iQo

A study done at #UCSB tracking animal behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown suggests that every animal reacts differently to human activity 🐾 "These findings highlight the critical importance of species-based conservation." Full story: https://ow.ly/7HFy50Z4jzU

#UCSB's Yuheng Bu has received the prestigious Early CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation. Bu aims to advance watermarking, a family of methods that improves AI security by embedding a hidden signal into AI-generated text so it can be identified. Full story: https://ow.ly/f3lE50Z1kc6

If trees die—from wildfire, drought or insect infestation—large amounts of greenhouse gasses are released, exacerbating climate change. Scientists at #UCSB sought to determine which forests are most likely to release their stored carbon over the next 100 years 🌳 🔗 https://ow.ly/gyii50Z3g6i

Researchers from #UCSB's Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory have unveiled new technology in their ongoing efforts to prevent whales and oceangoing vessels from colliding in and near the busy San Francisco Bay 🐋 https://ow.ly/Q6ot50Z2XPv#UCSB

A new UC Santa Barbara program aims to meet a growing need among students: support for managing stress and anxiety in everyday life. "Art of Wellness" combines meditation, creative exercises and informal community-building in a series of workshops open to all students: https://ow.ly/wjNS50Z2tcj

In #UCSB physicist Chenhao Jin's lab, researchers have for the first time observed elusive quasiparticles called Goldstone modes💡 Using an ultrafast imaging technique and a dynamic approach to their work, they were able to directly capture the excitations. Full story: https://ow.ly/1scM50Z1Isr

At @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social, climate policy meets regional action. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot joined students, researchers and local partners for conversations on wildfire resilience and community preparedness. Read the full story: science.ucsb.edu/news/uc-sant...

🔬How do you study thousands of neurons at once? You build better tools. ECE Prof. Spencer Smith's SLAB Lab designed a scan angle multiplier that achieves the laser scanning trifecta: high speed, high resolution, and a larger area.🧠⚡ 📜https://tinyurl.com/36j7pa3d

Graduating artists in #UCSB’s Master of Fine Arts will soon show their work in the exhibition "Fault Lines" at the AD&A Museum. Artists include Tiffany Aiello, Alexis Childress, Hope Christofferson, Emily d’Achiardi, Negar Farajiani, Vivek Karthikeyan and KeyShawn Scott: https://ow.ly/YObt50Z1ehS

A new #UCSB co-authored study found that dialectical thinking—the acceptance, for example, that a person can be happy and sad at the same time —varies across cultures. East Asian societies showed the highest levels of dialectical thinking: https://ow.ly/KtCW50Z0flP

A new study out of #UCSB has found that basalt could be the key to greener AND cheaper cement. "Cement barely registers in the public mind as a major driver of climate change, but the CO2 emissions from cement production are similar to all the world’s passenger cars." https://ow.ly/n7qr50YZHlI

#UCSB's first fully online master's degree is here 💻 Coming to The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering in fall 2027, the new Master of Engineering and Technology Leadership program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum designed for working professionals. Full story: https://ow.ly/Bkls50YZ1B4

UCSB's Jia-Ching Chen has won a Fulbright to study the geopolitical intersections of energy transition and environmental governance 🏆 Chen will headquarter his research project, "Green Dependency and Local Politics," at Taiwan's Academia Sinica. Full story: https://ow.ly/7llH50YYjYX

#UCSB is poised to join a group of collaborating partners in a new era of battery prototyping. The network of collaborating entities also includes UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, the Volta Foundation, the Catalyst Innovation Group & Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: https://ow.ly/hlQb50YVQbj

100+ whales were struck and killed by ships off the U.S. West Coast between 2015-2024, alone. A workshop co-hosted by #UCSB's Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory brought together experts from science, policy and industry to get a sense of this worldwide problem 🐋 https://ow.ly/gbxw50YWHpb

A new multi-venue exhibition highlighting the past and present of muralism in Santa Barbara County features a strong contribution from UC Santa Barbara, with students and alumni from the College of Creative Studies (CCS) taking on large-scale, public-facing work. https://ow.ly/UwXC50YWHw3

A team of three students will represent #UCSB on the global stage at the World Finals of the International Collegiate Programming Contest 🏆 After placing 16th at the North America Championship, the team automatically qualified for World Finals. Full story: https://ow.ly/J2jo50YVjho