University News

California Jews Experiencing Heightened Depression, Anxiety Since 2023 Hamas Violence

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 18, 2025

California Jews are reporting significantly greater symptoms of depression and anxiety since the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians in October 2023, according to a ɫ��ɫ, study.

ɫ��ɫ Study Reveals Alarming Browser Tracking by GenAI Assistants

Andy Fell — August 18, 2025

A new study led by computer scientists at the ɫ��ɫ, reveals that generative AI browser assistants collect and share sensitive data without users’ knowledge. Stronger safeguards, transparency and awareness are needed to protect user privacy online, the researchers said.

A new brand of generative AI, or GenAI, browser extensions act as your personal assistant as you surf the web, making browsing easier and more personalized. They can summarize web pages, answer questions, translate text and take notes.

5 Ways ɫ��ɫ Says AI Is Surprisingly Good

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

The capabilities of artificial intelligence are expanding every day. ɫ��ɫ is harnessing AI in many beneficial ways. Here, researchers in veterinary medicine, health, climate science, engineering and education ask how AI can help in their fields — and discover the good side of the growing technology.

Alum Joe Sasto Is a Rebel in the Kitchen

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

Alum Joe Sasto releases his first cookbook in October. (Courtesy of Bre Furlong)

Joe Sasto ’10 knows food.

Statewide Study Taps 3,000 Students for Salmon Research

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

In addition to predators, river diversions, and reduced spawning grounds, California salmon now face a new challenge: Thiamine Deficiency Complex, or TDC, a nutritional deficiency that leads to neurological problems and early death. Thankfully, more than 3,000 high school students offer a way forward in tackling this urgent issue.

Celebrating 100 Years of Graduate Education in Davis

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

On a crisp fall morning in 1925, a dozen graduate students in white button-down shirts with their slacks cuffed over worn brogans arrived at the University Farm in Davis. They were united by a shared ambition: to pursue advanced studies in agriculture at what was then the research extension of UC Berkeley.

It was a quiet beginning for graduate education in Davis — seeding what would grow into one of the top graduate education programs in the country.

5 Things to Know About Baltimore Ravens Linebacker and Alum Teddye Buchanan

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

Teddye Buchanan ’24 called from Baltimore, shortly before training camp with the Ravens was set to begin. The alum was drafted to the team in April, becoming the first Aggie to be drafted by the National Football League since 2002. He’ll be an inside linebacker.

“This year has been one of the crazier years of my life,” Buchanan said, “but a ton of fun.”

Student Satellite Project an Exercise in Technology and Teamwork

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

This October, if all goes to plan, four ɫ��ɫ graduate students will see their work launched into orbit. For the past six months the team at the ɫ��ɫ Center for Space Exploration Research has been working with Proteus Space, Inc. on a government-sponsored project to design and build a satellite payload.

See Butterfield Horse Sculptures at School of Veterinary Medicine

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

John Pascoe, executive associate dean emeritus of the ɫ��ɫ School of Veterinary Medicine, said he has always wanted to bring more art to the school, having seen the positive effect of public art at land-grant veterinary schools across the country. Over his more than 40 years at ɫ��ɫ, the now-retired Pascoe led the school’s efforts to collaborate with artists to acquire works, especially those depicting animals.

Winemaking in Our Own Backyard

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

On a warm July morning, Marcus Meadows-Smith navigates the rows at Great Bear Vineyards. He points out an area with a varietal developed at ɫ��ɫ to be climate tolerant and drought resistant. With climate change, these grapes may become even more important over the years.

“We're going to get hotter, drier, more extreme weather conditions as climate change happens,” Marcus described while holding the still-growing grapes. “It's shaping and looking good, looks happy and healthy.”

Is the American Dream Dead?

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

White picket fences. Green, manicured lawns. Children on bicycles.

The “American Dream” conjures images of a suburban ideal and elicits hope and optimism, especially for immigrants and for those fighting for democracy in their own countries. At the same time, entire segments of society have been denied equality, freedom and life. Even today, the promise of the American Dream for millions remains completely out of reach.

Exploring Country

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

ɫ��ɫ professors Glenda and Jesse Drew aim to reclaim country music for working people through an original documentary, two decades in the making: Open Country.

“We feel like country music has kind of been taken away from its roots,” said Jesse Drew, professor of cinema and digital media at ɫ��ɫ. “A lot of people today think it's very conservative and right-wing music, and that’s not really its origins.”

Meet the Percussionist

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

A professional percussionist, ɫ��ɫ lecturer in music and advocate of musical education, Chris Froh has built a career fostering the talent of musicians while helping students discover new ways of listening and connecting through music.

But Froh didn’t always plan to become a professional musician. In fact, he didn’t even start on percussion. His first spark of interest in music happened in elementary school after spending time with his aunt, who was dating a flutist at the time.

Poetry of Substance

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

For Saba Keramati, M.F.A. ’20, poetry creates a fascinating alternate realm. “You kind of step into the world of poetry with an understanding that you might get taken somewhere different; your language might be challenged, and you might expect to find a lot of beauty,” she said. “My interest in writing poetry has been wanting to live in that mode and sustain a vessel for that experience.”

Checking In with Chancellor May: Summer Programs Set the Stage for Success

Cody Kitaura — August 15, 2025

To the ɫ��ɫ community:

College readiness is key for students to succeed. From application to graduation, ɫ��ɫ invests in and supports students’ success, preparing new Aggies with a wide range of programs that build foundations for continued education and careers.

Schiff Joins ɫ��ɫ Researchers Monitoring Health of Lake Tahoe

Cody Kitaura — August 12, 2025

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) peered into the crystal-blue depths of Lake Tahoe as a crew from the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, or TERC, lowered a white disk into the water. “I can see about 63 feet,” declared the first-term senator.

3 Sports Make Conference Moves

Cody Kitaura — August 12, 2025

Three ɫ��ɫ teams have announced plans to move to new conferences: Beach volleyball and men’s water polo will join the the West Coast Conference as affiliate members, while women’s water polo will join the Golden Coast Conference.

Universities That Eliminated Admission Test Requirements Saw Gains in Student Body Diversity

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 11, 2025

Universities that have eliminated standardized test requirements for admissions in recent years generally experienced gains in diversity in their student bodies, according to research by the ɫ��ɫ. However, if the universities also faced recent financial shortfalls or enrollment declines, or continued to prioritize quantitative academic criteria such as test scores and class rank, these gains in diversity diminished or disappeared.

Alum Nathaniel Hartinger Named ɫ��ɫ Fire Chief

Cody Kitaura — August 07, 2025

After more than a year serving as interim fire chief, Nathaniel Hartinger has been officially selected chief of the ɫ��ɫ Fire Department. The announcement follows a competitive, national search.

Tariffs Can Improve U.S. Economy, But Global Trade Realities, Retaliation, Could Offset Gains

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 07, 2025

The United States could achieve modest economic benefits by applying uniform tariffs on all trade partners, according to new research led by a ɫ��ɫ, economist. However, the complicated realities of supply chains, global trade and its downstream effects on people and businesses could offset economic gains and even lead to significant losses.