First. Further. Forward

UC Merced Researchers Explain How Mechanical Force Can Trigger Chemical Reactions

April 22, 2026

Depicted are postdoctoral researcher Sourabh Kumar and Professor Ashlie Martini in their lab.

Mechanical force can do more than just push things around - it can also trigger chemical reactions. A new review by researchers at UC Merced and Penn State brings together decades of work to explain how these reactions occur and why they matter for technologies ranging from pharmaceuticals to the...

Depicted is César Armando Puente Garza of Tecnológico de Monterrey, speaking at a podium at UC Merced on Main.

Is Growing Agave a Good Fit for California? UC Merced Aims to Find Out

As crops go, agave holds a lot of promise for the northern San Joaquin Valley. The succulents thrive in hot sun, don't require much water and can be grown in the region's sandy soils. And...

Photo depicts Elizabeth Nowadnick, center, surrounded by members of her lab on campus at UC Merced.

Project Aims to Put AI to Work Reducing its Own Energy Needs

It's no secret that artificial intelligence uses a lot of electricity. A standard ChatGPT query consumes approximately 0.34 watt-hours - roughly 10 times more than a Google search. According...

Top 100 Best Graduate Schools ranking, two students in a lab

UC Merced Sees Strong Gains in U.S. News Grad School Rankings

UC Merced saw broad gains in the U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings with graduate programs rising in national standing, reflecting the campus’s growing academic and...

Depicted is a collage of UC Merced students taking part in study abroad programs in various locations around the world.

UC Merced's Study Abroad Program Among the Country's Best

Frida Quinto Ruiz went to Sweden with a curious mind. She came home with a plan. "Studying abroad completely reshaped the direction of my college career in ways I never expected," she...

Depicted are Sen. Anna Caballero and the women recognized as "Distinguished Women" for State Senate District 14.

Bioengineering Professor Among Senate District’s ‘Women Who Inspire’

State Sen. Anna Caballero recently honored UC Merced bioengineering Professor Sushma Shrinivasan among the “Women Who Inspire” in 2026 for District 14. According to the senator’s...

Depicted is the sun in an orange sky framed by palm leaves.

UC Merced Climate Experts Explain Why March Heat Wave is Dangerous

Temperatures in the 90s are nothing new to the northern San Joaquin Valley. But having them in March, as expected this week, is unusual and potentially dangerous. An exceptionally strong ridge of...

Depicted are students holding an oversized check against a blue UC Merced background.

Turner Construction Foundation Gifts Future Engineers

A company UC Merced has invested in to help build out its campus in turn is investing in the university's students. The foundation run by Turner Construction this week gave a $5,000 donation to...

Breyenne Pierce, a utility player on the water polo team, demonstrates her skills.

For Turlock High Grad, UC Merced is Just Far Enough from Home

Breyenne Pierce wasn't sure UC Merced was for her. The Turlock High graduate had followed her passion for water polo to Sierra College in Rocklin. As she was concluding her community college...

Depicted are the letters "Ai" on a green graphic background

Amazon Funds Research into Making AI More Efficient

Two UC Merced computer science and engineering professors will delve deep into artificial intelligence in projects with Amazon. Dong Li and Xiaoyi Lu earned Amazon Research Awards, the...