Blaze New Trails
Find Your Passion and Make a Difference
Blaze New Trails
Find Your Passion and Make a Difference
Blaze New Trails
Find Your Passion and Make a Difference
UC Merced has been ranked among 107 top universities in the country as "Higher Research" Institution*
Youngest university ever to earn Carnegie R2 research classification* and already ranked 18th**
#11 among public universities and #1 in the UC for student participation in undergraduate research and creative projects***
UC Merced has been ranked among 107 top universities in the country as "Higher Research" Institution*
Youngest university ever to earn Carnegie R2 research classification* and already ranked 18th**
#11 among public universities and #1 in the UC for student participation in undergraduate research and creative projects***
*The Carnegie Foundation, **2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, ***2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings
Through research at UC Merced, students have the chance to work alongside innovative faculty members conducting interdisciplinary research that addresses some of the world's most pressing concerns. Students here have a unique opportunity to discover their passion and contribute to efforts that will not only shape their future, but also make a difference in the world.
"But Wait. I'm not an Activist."
Whether you’re a History, Biological Sciences or Mechanical Engineering major, or anything in between, there are many ways to add value to the world. At UC Merced, you’ll conduct research, learn theories and perform outreach, and discover the right fit for you.
create teachable moments for others:
UC Merced and community leaders teamed up for Merced County Project 10% in 2013 in an effort to help increase high school graduation rates. Still going strong today, our students relate their struggles in school and act as mentors to eighth-graders.
Learn about the country’s political climate first-hand:
In the UCDC program (@bobcatsindc), you can network with lawmakers, and attend debates and hearings during an internship in Washington, D.C. In 2018, Psychology major Jessica Teran Salazar, pictured below, served as a congressional intern for California Rep. Pete Aguilar. Jessica, who comes from a low-income immigrant family, said the opportunity gave her a chance to see change happen.
Students’ participation in this program will be closely monitored within health and safety guidelines.
"But Wait. I'm not an Activist."
Whether you’re a History, Biological Sciences or Mechanical Engineering major, or anything in between, there are many ways to add value to the world. At UC Merced, you’ll conduct research, learn theories and perform outreach, and discover the right fit for you.
create teachable moments for others:
UC Merced and community leaders teamed up for Merced County Project 10% in 2013 in an effort to help increase high school graduation rates. Still going strong today, our students relate their struggles in school and act as mentors to eighth-graders.
Learn about the country’s political climate first-hand:
In the UCDC program (@bobcatsindc), you can network with lawmakers, and attend debates and hearings during an internship in Washington, D.C. In 2018, Psychology major Jessica Teran Salazar, pictured below, served as a congressional intern for California Rep. Pete Aguilar. Jessica, who comes from a low-income immigrant family, said the opportunity gave her a chance to see change happen.
Students’ participation in this program will be closely monitored within health and safety guidelines.
research innovative ways to save the planet:
UC Solar, a collaborative made up of faculty and student researchers from nine UC campuses, is finding innovative ways to lower natural gas consumption to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. They’re currently developing green technologies that purify unusable water cheaply and efficiently without leaving a large carbon footprint.
meet others who say, "i want to help, too!"
UC Merced students who are motivated to make an impact join (and help form) clubs and organizations. Like the pre-dental students in the Project Smile Pre-Dental Club (@projectsmileucm): They work in clinics in Guatemala, and so far have helped provide free dental care to more than 3,000 Guatemalan children.
Engage in important international research collaborations
Engineering Professor Po-Ya Abel Chuang and his Thermal and Electrochemical Energy Laboratory at UC Merced are focused on developing hydrogen-based energy solutions. Through a pair of projects and a trans-Pacific partnership, Chuang and his lab are conducting experimental and simulation research to efficiently generate hydrogen and convert it directly to electricity. They are working on material and design optimization with researchers in the Philippines through PCARI — the Philippine Commission on Higher Education’s Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes.
“We need to give our students as many platforms as we can to be successful,” Chuang said. “To me, that’s part of my mission. We have a lot of opportunity to make an impact.”
research innovative ways to save the planet:
UC Solar, a collaborative made up of faculty and student researchers from nine UC campuses, is finding innovative ways to lower natural gas consumption to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. They’re currently developing green technologies that purify unusable water cheaply and efficiently without leaving a large carbon footprint.
meet others who say, "i want to help, too!"
UC Merced students who are motivated to make an impact join (and help form) clubs and organizations. Like the pre-dental students in the Project Smile Pre-Dental Club (@projectsmileucm): They work in clinics in Guatemala, and so far have helped provide free dental care to more than 3,000 Guatemalan children.
Engage in important international research collaborations
Engineering Professor Po-Ya Abel Chuang and his Thermal and Electrochemical Energy Laboratory at UC Merced are focused on developing hydrogen-based energy solutions. Through a pair of projects and a trans-Pacific partnership, Chuang and his lab are conducting experimental and simulation research to efficiently generate hydrogen and convert it directly to electricity. They are working on material and design optimization with researchers in the Philippines through PCARI — the Philippine Commission on Higher Education’s Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes.
“We need to give our students as many platforms as we can to be successful,” Chuang said. “To me, that’s part of my mission. We have a lot of opportunity to make an impact.”
The list of UC Merced's research strengths is long and includes climate change and ecology; solar and renewable energy; water quality and resources; artificial intelligence; cognitive science; stem-cell, diabetes and cancer research; air quality; big-data analysis; computer science; mechanical, environmental and materials engineering; political science; and much more.
$28.9 million
spent on research in 2018
$214 million
spent on research since 2005
Hard Work
Creates Options
Asmaa Mohamed was born in Egypt and was the first in her family to graduate from college in the United States. Her experience at UC Merced sparked a passion for research that led to fellowship and internship opportunities, research presentations at a dozen conferences and symposia, and a number of awards. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Dartmouth College.
I am pursuing a career in research because the knowledge obtained from research impacts humanity for generations, and I want to be a part of that impact.
