This year, UC Merced continued to shape the narrative of innovation and discovery across the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate not only the milestones achieved but the stories and people who helped elevate UC Merced’s presence, community and expanding impact.
'It's Ours!' Merced Selected for UC's Newest Campus 30 Years Ago
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
UC Merced was officially selected as the site for the University of California’s newest campus 30 years ago, on May 18, 1995, following strong advocacy and community support in the Merced region. The decision set in motion a decades-long effort that transformed the site into a thriving research university. Since opening in 2005, UC Merced has grown significantly in enrollment, expanded its academic and research programs, and continued to develop its facilities — marking significant progress from vision to a nationally recognized institution.
20 Years In, UC Merced Celebrates Achievements, Looks to Future
By Jody Murray, UC Merced
In his State of the University address, Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz reflected on UC Merced’s remarkable transformation from a fledgling campus with only a few buildings in 2005 to a nationally recognized research institution driving economic and social progress just 20 years later. Speaking to campus and community leaders, Muñoz celebrated the university’s R1 research classification, top national rankings and deep commitment to educating Californian and first-generation students. With UC Merced now generating more than $1 billion in annual economic impact in Merced County alone, Muñoz connected the university’s rapid ascent to the pioneering vision set at its founding, concluding with a call to continue building on the momentum of its first two decades.
'It's Ours!' Merced Selected for UC's Newest Campus 30 Years Ago
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
UC Merced was officially selected as the site for the University of California’s newest campus 30 years ago, on May 18, 1995, following strong advocacy and community support in the Merced region. The decision set in motion a decades-long effort that transformed the site into a thriving research university. Since opening in 2005, UC Merced has grown significantly in enrollment, expanded its academic and research programs, and continued to develop its facilities — marking significant progress from vision to a nationally recognized institution.
20 Years In, UC Merced Celebrates Achievements, Looks to Future
By Jody Murray, UC Merced
In his State of the University address, Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz reflected on UC Merced’s remarkable transformation from a fledgling campus with only a few buildings in 2005 to a nationally recognized research institution driving economic and social progress just 20 years later. Speaking to campus and community leaders, Muñoz celebrated the university’s R1 research classification, top national rankings and deep commitment to educating Californian and first-generation students. With UC Merced now generating more than $1 billion in annual economic impact in Merced County alone, Muñoz connected the university’s rapid ascent to the pioneering vision set at its founding, concluding with a call to continue building on the momentum of its first two decades.
UC Merced Named Top 25 Public University by U.S. News & World Report
By Sam Yniguez, UC Merced
UC Merced cracked the Top 25 public universities in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s annual school rankings. And for the second consecutive year, the university ranked No. 3 in the county for social mobility, reflecting its exceptional success in supporting students from all backgrounds. To compile its list, U.S. News looks at several categories that focus on student outcomes such as manageable debt, post-graduate success and social mobility.
UC Merced Achieves R1: Highest Tier of Research Classification
By Brenda Ortiz, UC Merced
UC Merced joined the top tier of American research universities this year, earning the prestigious Carnegie R1 designation. The milestone places UC Merced among just 187 institutions in the country – and the only one in the Central Valley – recognized for “very high research activity”. Carnegie would also go on to classify the university as an "Opportunity College”, a distinction bestowed upon schools with students who reflect the communities it serves and who go on to earn competitive wages compared to peers in their area.
UC Merced Named the 14th Best College in the Nation by Wall Street Journal
By Sam Yniguez, UC Merced
UC Merced was ranked the 14th best college in the nation and third among public universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges list, marking a major national recognition for the campus’s progress and quality. The ranking highlights strong performance in key areas such as student outcomes, graduation rates, and the overall learning environment, reflecting the university’s growing reputation and momentum.
UC Merced's Smart Farm Abuzz with Activity
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
At UC Merced’s 40-acre Experimental Smart Farm, students are working with researchers to transform fields into a hub of innovation where hands-on agriculture meets cutting-edge technology. The farm has become a centerpiece of the campus’s growing emphasis on agricultural technology, supported by a new ag-tech focus within mechanical engineering and the student-run Ag Tech Club. Blending high-tech innovation with hands-in-the-soil experience, the Smart Farm offers a living laboratory where students can design, test and see their ideas take root in one of the world’s most important agricultural regions.
UC Merced Receives Transformational $38 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott
By University Communications
UC Merced has received the largest philanthropic gift in its history – an extraordinary $38 million commitment from MacKenzie Scott, marking her second major investment in the university. The gift reflects growing national recognition of UC Merced’s rise as an innovative public research university and a leader in access, opportunity, student success and social mobility. Building on Scott’s 2021 gift of $20 million, this new investment will accelerate the university’s mission by expanding student success initiatives, advancing cutting-edge faculty research, and supporting critical capital projects that enhance teaching, discovery and campus infrastructure.
UC Merced Receives Transformational $38 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott
By University Communications
UC Merced has received the largest philanthropic gift in its history – an extraordinary $38 million commitment from MacKenzie Scott, marking her second major investment in the university. The gift reflects growing national recognition of UC Merced’s rise as an innovative public research university and a leader in access, opportunity, student success and social mobility. Building on Scott’s 2021 gift of $20 million, this new investment will accelerate the university’s mission by expanding student success initiatives, advancing cutting-edge faculty research, and supporting critical capital projects that enhance teaching, discovery and campus infrastructure.
UC Merced and Fresno Unified Launch Guaranteed Admission Path with Scholarship Opportunity
By Alyssa Johansen, UC Merced
A new partnership between UC Merced and Fresno Unified School District – the third largest school district in the state – guarantees admissions to eligible high school students. As part of the Merced Automatic Admission Program (MAAP), the students are also eligible to receive up to $12,000 in renewable scholarships. The partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony where Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and FUSD Superintendent Misty Her committed to further strengthening pathways from local high schools to a University of California education.
First-generation Students Shine at UC Merced. This Week Celebrates Them
By Jody Murray, UC Merced
With more than 60% of undergraduates being the first in their families to attend college, UC Merced makes great efforts to facilitate a culture of support and ensure that students from all backgrounds thrive. This initiative is reflected in the experiences of students like Adriana Martinez Diaz and Narciso Martinez Solorio, who found confidence, belonging and academic momentum through campus advising and mentoring programs. First-generation faculty members Rose Scott and Sarah Depaoli also underscored how mentorship, resilience and community connection shape the journeys of students who arrive without a roadmap.
this year in research
Link Between Dementia and Air Pollution Drives Research Collaboration
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
A $2.2 million NIH-funded collaboration will analyze the specific components of Central Valley air pollution to determine which fine particulate pollutants may trigger or accelerate dementia.
Wildfire Disasters Surged in the Past 10 Years, Study Shows
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
Released by UC Merced’s Fire Resilience Center, a study finds that nearly half of the world’s worst wildfire disasters have occurred in just the past decade. The research shows that extreme fire weather – now far more common due to climate change – is driving unprecedented destruction in populated, high-risk regions and demands urgent adaptation strategies.
Unraveling Cancer’s Neural Connections: NIH-Funded Study Investigates How Stem Cell Regulation Influences Tissue Renewal, Cancer Development
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
A $2 million grant from the NIH is being used to investigate how neural signals influence the earliest stages of cancer. The research could reshape how scientists understand, and eventually treat, both cancer and age-related diseases.
Dust is a Danger to Central Valley Health and Will Likely Get Worse, Researchers Find
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
A new UC systemwide report warns that dust storms – increasingly common in California’s Central Valley – pose growing threats to public health, safety, agriculture, renewable energy and water resources, especially for vulnerable communities.
Simple Chemical Treatment Makes Next-Gen Electronics More Reliable
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
A team of international researchers that includes UC Merced has discovered that a simple chemical treatment can enhance the strength and reliability of one of the world’s thinnest materials for use in electronic devices.
Study: Mass Deportations Would Cost California Economy $275 Billion, Decimate Critical Industries
By Alyssa Johansen, UC Merced
A new study co-led by UC Merced finds that mass deportation of California’s 1.5 million undocumented residents would strip $275 billion from the state’s economy, gut key industries and drain $23 billion annually in tax revenue.
Vaping Produces a Chemical that Destroys Human Tissue, Research Shows
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
A UC Merced study raises concerns about the safety of widely available CBD and marijuana vape products. The research finds that common vaping conditions can oxidize CBD into CBD-Q, a highly toxic compound known to kill human cells.
Thymus Research Could Unlock Immune System Improvements
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
A $3.5 million NIH grant will support pioneering research into how the thymus responds to damage, work that could lead to new therapies to help cancer patients and others rebuild their immune systems.
COVID Lockdown Disrupted Preschoolers’ Social Skills, Trailblazing Research Shows
By Jody Murray, UC Merced
A UC Merced study found that preschool children tested after COVID-19 lockdowns showed significant declines in key social cognition skills, especially among kids from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Disruptions in the Digital Supply Chain Can Have Major Physical Impacts
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
A study shows how failures at shared digital service providers, like the CrowdStrike glitch that disrupted millions of computers and thousands of flights, expose the growing fragility of interconnected digital supply chains.
From the Valley, for the Valley: New SJV PRIME+ Students Embark on Journey to Transform Health Care
By Jessica Gardezy, UC Merced
The newest cohort of SJV PRIME+ students were celebrated at a special Student and Family Welcome event. Their educational journey will take them from undergraduate studies at UC Merced to medical degrees from UCSF, with clinical training at UCSF Fresno. The students, many motivated by personal experiences and a dedication to health equity, affirmed their pledge to return to the valley as compassionate, skilled physicians. More than an academic pathway, SJV PRIME+ reflects a promise to strengthen and expand health care access across the region.
UC Merced's Smart Farm Abuzz with Activity
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
At UC Merced’s 40-acre Experimental Smart Farm, students are working with researchers to transform fields into a hub of innovation where hands-on agriculture meets cutting-edge technology. The farm has become a centerpiece of the campus’s growing emphasis on agricultural technology, supported by a new ag-tech focus within mechanical engineering and the student-run Ag Tech Club. Blending high-tech innovation with hands-in-the-soil experience, the Smart Farm offers a living laboratory where students can design, test and see their ideas take root in one of the world’s most important agricultural regions.
UC Investment Academy Propels Students to Financial Career Success
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
Founded in 2022 by UC Chief Investment Officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher, the academy has rapidly grown from 100 participants at UC Merced to more than 4,500 students across the UC system, offering both a rigorous career track and an accessible personal finance track. Through hands-on financial modeling and valuation training, exposure to industry professionals, and targeted career mentoring, the academy has already helped students, like Tatiana Howell (‘24), secure competitive internships and jobs in the investment world.
Campos Foundation’s $5 Million Gift to UC Merced Supports Track and Field Facility, STEM Scholarships
By Francesca Dinglasan, UC Merced
During halftime of the women’s soccer season opener – which marked the Bobcats’ NCAA Division II debut – UC Merced announced a $5 million gift from the Campos Foundation. Inspired by founder Marco Campos’s belief in the lifelong value of athletics, the gift will establish a scholarship endowment supporting STEM students and STEM scholar-athletes. It will also fund the development of a state-of-the-art track and field facility, which will be named Campos Field in recognition of the foundation’s generosity.
Open Arms, Open Skies: Students Welcomed at Spirited, Soggy Scholars Bridge Crossing
By Jody Murray, UC Merced
UC Merced welcomed nearly 2,000 new first-year and transfer students with a Scholars Bridge Crossing unlike any before, as a rare summer storm turned the traditional procession into a spirited, rain-soaked celebration. Marking the campus’s 20th anniversary of undergraduate education, Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz encouraged the incoming “Thunder ’Cats” to embrace the opportunities ahead just moments before the skies opened. The day’s unexpected weather only highlighted the resilience and enthusiasm that continue to define the campus and its newest class.
Program Helped Her Finish a Degree After 14 Years. Now She's Helping Others
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
After multiple attempts to finish her degree at UC Merced, Lilly Uvalle finally found her way back through the university’s Degree Completion Program and is now helping others do the same. The program streamlines the process of returning to higher education with personalized degree audits, proactive communication and flexible options. For Uvalle, completing her degree fulfilled a long-held dream, and now she’s committed to helping others achieve theirs.
Research Team Focuses on the Next Generations of Scientists
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
Supported by a $12.5 million National Science Foundation award – one of the largest in UC Merced’s history – The Institute for Symbiotic Interactions, Training and Education in the Face of a Changing Climate (INSITE) is advancing research on symbiosis and climate change while cultivating the next generation of STEM scientists. The program’s impact extends beyond campus through age-appropriate science outreach in Central Valley schools, where graduate students lead interactive lessons and inspire children who may never have considered STEM careers.
Need for More Latino Doctors Highlighted at UC Merced Event
By Patty Guerra, UC Merced
UC Merced marked National Latino Physician Day with a talk by Dr. Michael Galvez, who emphasized the major shortage of Latino doctors in the U.S. He highlighted how greater representation improves patient care and shared his own path in medicine, noting programs like UC Merced’s SJV PRIME+ that help support future Latino physicians.
Founding Faculty Roland Winston Remembered for Pioneering Solar Energy
By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced
Founding faculty member and distinguished Professor Emeritus Roland Winston, a pioneering physicist and internationally revered leader in solar energy research, passed away this year. Winston’s innovations revolutionized solar energy collection and influenced technologies that later contributed to a Nobel Prize. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he published hundreds of scientific papers, held more than 50 patents, earned major international honors and shaped generations of students and researchers. Winston leaves a legacy that firmly established UC Merced as a leader in solar energy research.
Carnegie Recognizes UC Merced for Student Access, Grad Earnings
By Brenda Ortiz, UC Merced
UC Merced earned two 2025 Carnegie distinctions recognizing its strong student access and the competitive earnings of its graduates. It’s one of only 21 universities — and three in California — to hold both the new “Opportunity” classification and the R1 research designation.
