Brenda Ortiz

Postdoc Leads Study to Turn Cotton Waste into Climate-Smart Compost

November 12, 2025

three stages of cotton textile composting

UC Merced researchers are collaborating on a two-year research project to develop effective composting methods for cotton textiles. The project explores manufacturing cotton waste scraps from clothing into compost to demonstrate efficient composting with the right recipe, and the compost’s...

Campus Spirit Encouraged Alumna to Pursue Fungi Research

Graduate school is a constant state of discovery, something UC Merced alumna Jackie Shay credits for her current passion: fungus. Shay just returned home from a month in the humid climes of...

Commencement Speakers Bring Varied Experience to Campus’s Largest Commencement

The University of California, Merced, has selected CEO of Enduring Hydro LLC and former U.S. Undersecretary for Energy Kristina Johnson and Merced County Superior Court Judge Paul C. Lo to deliver...

Men’s Soccer Team Builds Framework for Success in Debut Season

In its inaugural intercollegiate season, the UC Merced men’s soccer team showed plenty of promise by defeating the eventual conference champions and producing the California Pacific Conference...

Campus Pitches In for Day of Service

A day off meant a day of service for some UC Merced students and staff and faculty members who volunteered to help spruce up Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced as part of the 2014 Martin...

Campus Receives Record Number of Applications for 10th Academic Year

As the 10th campus in the UC system approaches the start of its 10th academic year, the University of California, Merced, has received a record number of applications for undergraduate admission this...

Little Brown Dog Gets a Home for the Holidays

The saga of LBD – the scrappy, stray canine who roamed the UC Merced campus for two months while eluding the many Good Samaritans concerned for his wellbeing — came to a happy conclusion Wednesday...

Grant Helps Strengthen Transfer Student Experience

University life can be hard, and for transfer students, it often proves even more daunting. Studies have shown they typically have low rates of campus engagement and retention, and take longer to...

Campus Gives Back in Pints

The newest UC campus prides itself on its commitment to community service and helping others. Students, staff members and faculty members spend countless hours working in homeless shelters and food...

Regents’ Scholarships Assure College Dream for Exceptional Students

But those financial worries disappeared once Gamboa learned she’d been awarded a UC Merced Regents’ Scholarship. The scholarship bridges any gap between financial aid and parental contributions —...