In Brief

UC Merced Students Invited to Tackle Real-World AI Challenges in 2026 Data Science Program

February 23, 2026

Four student standing in front of their poster at the Data Science Challenge

Applications are open for the 2026 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Data Science Challenge, a two-week summer internship that gives students a firsthand look at national lab research through high‑impact, data‑driven problem solving. “I want our students to see themselves in these...

Understanding Why Designs Work — or Don’t — is Important

Just because a design works once doesn’t mean that the research and development is done. That’s why, Professor Sarah Kurtz argues in a new commentary in the prestigious journal...

News and Notes: Speaker to Discuss HSI, STEM; Intern Project Proposals Due Sept. 7

On Sept. 5, educational studies Professor Anne-Marie Nuñez from Ohio State University will talk about UC Merced as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and how HSIs contribute to the STEM workforce...

Four male students huddle around a computer as they work.

Student Success Internship Program Returns, Project Proposals Due Sept. 7

Campus departments and schools: Here’s a chance to get your projects off the ground while helping students gain valuable experience. The only cost is the time you invest with your interns....

A large group of people mingle in the main room of the Merced Multicultural Arts Center in Merced.

News and Notes: Downtown Welcomes UC Merced; Student Scores Taylor Farms Scholarship

Merced ‘DNA’ Hosts Meet and Greet UC Merced’s downtown neighbors rolled out the welcome mat last Thursday for a mixer with campus community members. Merced Mayor Mike Murphy,...

A young boy and a woman play with educational toys.

Free Children’s Pop-Up Exhibit Returns to Merced

Kids Discovery Station, this year’s second installment of the children’s pop-up exhibit, opened Aug. 1 at the Merced County Library after the resounding success of the city’s first...

Dining Pavilion Opens Doors for Sampling Event

Want a taste of what the Dining Pavilion has in store for the campus community this fall? On Monday and Tuesday, you’ll have the chance for your own sneak peek. Our UC Merced chefs are...

News and Notes: Yosemite Podcast Features Faculty, Free Tacos and Farewell to Summer

UC Merced Faculty Discuss Yosemite in New Podcast Series Debut Capital Public Radio has launched a new series about Yosemite National Park, and School of Engineering faculty members Catherine...

News and Notes: UC Launches Million Light Bulb Challenge, Upcoming Ally Trainings Offered

Let There Be Energy-Efficient Light The University of California is spearheading a statewide effort to advance the purchase of 1 million high-quality, energy-efficient light bulbs for campus...

Cancer Systems Biology Identifies Master Regulators and New Drug Targets in Therapy-Resistant Cancer

New research published today in the Nature Partner journal npj Systems Biology and Applications establishes how genome-wide data in combination with systems biology analyses can identify master...