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How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Fuel Record-Breaking Wildfires in 2020? New Study Explains

May 5, 2025

Photo depicts a firefighter and flames from the 2020 Apple fire in California.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many facets of life, including health care, schools and the work environment. A new study by UC Merced researchers shows evidence that the pandemic also fueled an elevated number of wildfires in the United States that year. How? With schools...
Professors Joshua Viers, left, and Tom Harmon share oversight of the new smart farm being constructed next to campus. The farm will be UC Merced's AES site.

UC Merced Gains Prestigious UC Agricultural Experiment Station Designation

UCs Merced and Santa Cruz became the newest campuses in the system to be named an agricultural experiment stations (AES), UC President Michael Drake announced at today’s Regents’...
California Governor Gavin Newsom talks with students in a UC Merced political science class Monday. Nov. 7, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom Visits UC Merced Political Science Class

    A day before the midterm election, Gov. Gavin Newsom made a surprise visit     to a political science class at UC Merced.     Newsom was...

UC Merced Holds Toloma 5k Run in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (Slideshow)

Members of the community joined UC Merced students, faculty and staff and their families for the annual "UC Merced Toloma 5k Fun Run". The event is held every year in honor of Native...
Racers line their solar cars up for a challenge at UC Merced Nov. 5, 2022.

Solar Car Race Draws Middle School Competitors to UC Merced

    It wasn’t exactly “Racers, start your engines.” More like, “Racers, remove     your covers.”     But the solar car challenge...
Professor Michele Nishiguchi

Nishiguchi Joins California Academy of Sciences, Recognized for Contributions to Microbiology

Molecular and Cellular Biology Professor Michele “Nish” Nishiguchi has been inducted as a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences and was recently named president-elect for the...

Webinar on Health Effects of Hookah to Include Doctoral Student's Research

A doctoral student in the Public Health program will be among the presenters taking part in a webinar on the health effects and policy implications of hookah smoking. Sarah Alnahari will...

UC Merced, Fresno City College Create New Transfer Pipeline for Students

On Monday (Oct.31), UC Merced and Fresno City College (FCC) signed the Merced Promise Pathway Program memorandum of understanding (MOU). The signing of this MOU further extends access for transfer...
Lars Howlett displays the Baltic Wheel design for UC Merced's labyrinth.

Labyrinth Takes Shape in UC Merced’s Kelley Grove

    A temporary labyrinth has taken shape on the UC Merced campus.     The labyrinth, which is an ancient pattern people walk to reflect, was     built by master...

UC Merced Holds Event For Incoming MAAP Students (Slideshow)

High school students who are on track to qualify for automatic admission to UC Merced and their families were invited to a special engagement on campus. The event took place in the Dr. Vikram...

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