Faculty

Dust is a Danger to Central Valley Health and Will Likely Get Worse, Researchers Find

May 12, 2025

A dust storm rises near Owens Lake. Photo Courtesy of UC San Diego

People don't think about dust much until it's time to clean the house, but a new report by UC researchers could raise awareness of the growing threat of dust and dust storms. Dust affects everything from cardiovascular and brain health to traffic collisions and agricultural yield....

Student Success Internship Proposals Due Sept. 25

The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Education are excited to announce the Student Success Internship (SSI) program, which provides opportunities for undergraduate students...

Professor Noemi Petra in a white shirt and black jacket poses in front of a reflective, opaque glass wall.

Math Professor Receives Prestigious NSF CAREER Award

Professor Noemi Petra is UC Merced’s newest recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award, which the NSF describes as its “...

Aerial photograph of green farmland being watered by dozens of sprinklers.

Water Documentary Featuring SNRI Researchers to Premiere in Merced

A full-length documentary highlighting the relationship between water, food security and, ultimately, global security, features UC Merced researchers and is scheduled to premiere Sept. 14 in downtown...

UC Staff member Breeana Sylvas poses outdoors with two reusable water bottles.

Nine of Merced’s ‘20 Under 40’ Have Ties to UC Merced

The Merced Sun-Star’s inaugural “20 Under 40” list honors rising stars under the age of 40 who are actively engaged in making Merced a better place to live and work — and UC...

Annual 5K Run Raises $6,000 for Scholarships

The third annual UC Merced Journey 5K Fund Run drew a record 475 participants Saturday and raised more than $6,000, exceeding the event’s stated goal. Proceeds and donations from this...

Two men pose with an oversized check on stage at a check presentation ceremony for the PG&E award to SNRI.

PG&E Funds Critical SNRI Work on Sierra Forest Resiliency

A team of UC Merced researchers was recently awarded $100,000 from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to identify ways to improve drought resilience and reduce the risk of wildfire in Sierra...

One of several murals painted on school buildings with the community's help.

Artists Making Their Marks On and Off Campus

“Artists to my mind are the real architects of change, and not the political legislators who implement change after the fact.” — William S. Burroughs The economic and educational...

The monks take tea with Professor Noelle and continue discussing concepts in neuroscience.

Researchers Take Cognitive Science to Buddhist Monks

Two UC Merced cognitive scientists spent part of their summer in India this year, teaching neuroscience to a group of exiled Tibetan Buddhist monks. Professors Ramesh Balasubramaniam and David...

Professor Asmeret Asefaw Berhe stands in front of a wall wearing a light blue lab coat and holding a tray of cake tins filled with soil samples.

Earth Scientist Targets Sexual Harassment With NSF Grant

Professor Asmeret Asefaw Berhe is a biogeochemist who studies the impact of climate change on Sierra Nevada soils. She’s also active in efforts to recruit and retain women in science,...