UC Santa Cruz Social Sciences

09/05/2026

Vara Brockett (anthropology, psychology '27) is passionate about using science to better understand humanity, past and present. Through her studies, she has discovered a deep interest in biological, forensic, and paleoanthropology.

With the help of the Ryan Heumann Scholarship, Vara is attending an archaeological field school in Spain, where she will gain hands-on experience in excavation, research methods, and fieldwork, preparing her for graduate studies and her upcoming senior thesis research. "This experience in Spain will open my eyes to what work in the field looks like, and how field work translates to the lab," she said.

Vara has spent her time at UC Santa Cruz conducting research in the Biological Anthropology Genetics lab, where students analyzed their own mitochondrial DNA. Through the project, she traced her maternal lineage back through major human migration patterns. "This particular experience was memorable because I got a firsthand experience at how science and lab methods can teach you about yourself, and the groups you belong to," she shared.

After graduation, Vara plans to pursue a master's degree in forensic science with a specialization in forensic anthropology. Her long-term goal is to work with humanitarian organizations, identifying human remains in disaster zones and helping provide answers to families searching for missing loved ones. "I have always known I wanted my career to positively impact others," she said. "I feel a calling toward identifying missing persons, hopefully positively impacting their grieving families."

09/04/2026

This year's Federico and Rena Perlino Memorial Scholarship recipient, Jexy An Nepangue (psychology Ph.D. '28), is dedicated to understanding how people learn, remember, and use tools and technology to support cognition in everyday life. Through her research, mentorship, and commitment to inclusive learning, she is helping expand our understanding of human memory and learning.

Jexy chose UC Santa Cruz because of its strong research community and the opportunity to work closely with faculty whose scholarship aligns with her interests in human learning and memory. The Perlino Memorial Scholarship has provided critical support as she advances her dissertation research, helping alleviate financial pressures and allowing her to focus on data collection, publication, and professional development.

One of the most meaningful parts of her graduate experience has been mentoring undergraduate researchers. "Seeing her confidence grow and knowing that my mentorship had helped support her next steps was deeply meaningful," Jexy said of a former student she mentored who was later accepted into multiple Ivy League graduate programs. "That experience has stayed with me because it reflects one of the most rewarding parts of graduate school: contributing to the growth and success of other students."

As she looks ahead, Jexy hopes to continue pursuing research with real-world impact: "What matters most to me is finding a career where I can continue asking questions about how people learn, remember, and use information in their everyday lives," she said.

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Altering the atmosphere could fight climate change, but is it worth the risk? Who gets to decide? 👀 UC Santa Cruz Environmental Studies Professor Sikina Jinnah is working to make sure communities have a voice in the conversation.

Her new open-access book, Building Capacity for Public Engagement on Solar Geoengineering, offers practical tools for educators, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations to help people understand the science, risks, ethics, and justice implications of solar geoengineering.

This controversial technology could buy us more time to create lasting climate solutions, or distract us from making real progress. Additionally, the lack of current governance structures around solar geoengineering means businesses developing this technology lack accountability with the public.

To address this, she and her coauthors also offer recommendations on how people can participate in these important decisions. Now is the time for the public to decide the future of these technologies and how best to protect the planet we share, together.

Read more: https://news.ucsc.edu/2026/08/altering-the-atmosphere-could-fight-climate-change-but-is-it-worth-the-risk-who-gets-to-decide/

08/28/2026

🚗⚡ What if switching to an EV sooner could make a bigger climate impact?

New UC Santa Cruz research led by Environmental Studies Professor Elliott Campbell finds that replacing a gas-powered car with an electric vehicle as soon as financially feasible can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

In the study, replacing a gas vehicle within its first year could reduce emissions by 58% over a 16-year period, with EVs typically offsetting their manufacturing emissions in about three years. The findings highlight how the timing of the transition matters. It points to expanded "scrap-and-replace" programs as one way policymakers can help make cleaner transportation more accessible.

The takeaway: accelerating the shift to cleaner vehicles can accelerate climate action, too. Read more: https://news.ucsc.edu/2026/08/thinking-about-trading-your-car-in-for-an-ev-heres-a-compelling-new-reason-to-do-it-now/

08/25/2026

Sociology doctoral candidate Rosa Navarro is shedding light on how the growing use of H-2A temporary agricultural worker visas may be affecting immigrant farmworkers already living and working in Washington state.

Drawing on interviews and surveys with farmworkers, advocates, attorneys, growers, and state officials, Navarro found that some employers' recruitment practices may be contributing to reduced job opportunities, hours, and economic security for local workers. This holds particularly significant impacts on women balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

Her findings point to the need for stronger labor protections, improved recruitment oversight, better farmworker data, and reforms that protect the rights and livelihoods of both local and H-2A workers. Read more about Navarro's research and its implications for agricultural workers and communities: https://news.ucsc.edu/2026/08/doctoral-candidates-research-explores-impacts-from-overuse-of-h-2a-visas-in-washington-state/

08/24/2026

Recent UC Santa Cruz graduate Danielle Cohen (psychology, Stevenson '26) received the Barton "Bart" Rubin Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Psychology, which is helping her take the next steps toward a career in psychology.

Realizing her passion for working with children began during her field study placement. "Every day I get to work with these kids, I've been reminded of how much there is to learn from children: their unique perspectives, their tenacious questioning, and their way of engaging in the world with such true kindness and curiosity," she reflected. "That experience didn't just stand out to me, but has entirely clarified my path forward."

Now, Danielle plans to return to Los Angeles to gain research experience in child psychology and development, with a particular focus on neurodiverse populations. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. specializing in child development or autism studies and build a career supporting children and families through autism intervention and advocacy.

08/21/2026

From a student film festival at UC Santa Cruz to a cultural institution serving San Diego, Ethan van Thillo's (Merrill '92, Latin American and Latino studies) journey shows how one idea can grow into lasting community impact🎬

While on campus, van Thillo founded UC Santa Cruz's first Chicano Film Festival as a student: an experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to using film as a tool for social change and education. He went on to establish the San Diego Latino Film Festival and Media Arts Center San Diego, which now supports filmmakers and communities through film, education, and digital storytelling.

"During this whole period, I was really learning how the power of film really can be a great tool for social change and education," van Thillo said.
Read more about van Thillo's journey and the UCSC experience that helped shape his work: https://news.ucsc.edu/2026/07/ethan-van-thillo-from-student-film-festival-to-a-cultural-institution/