May 11, 2026
Today’s high-tech electronics and green energy technologies would not function without rare earth elements (REEs). But extracting these substances from raw materials is a dirty process that relies on toxic chemicals and leaves behind polluted waste. Now, a Berkeley-led team may have solved this problem — thanks to a tiny virus. The researchers genetically engineered…
May 11, 2026
Aaron Nile is a principal investigator at Calico Life Sciences where his group identifies exploitable oncology targets and develops novel therapeutics. Prior to Calico, Aaron completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech. As part of his efforts to stay connected with the Bay Area research community, Aaron Nile will host discussions and a career talk on…
May 04, 2026
The National Academy of Sciences announced its newest members this week, among them six eminent UC Berkeley faculty members, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. Membership in the academy, now held by more than 135 living Berkeley faculty members, recognizes scientists for “their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” The National Academy of…
May 04, 2026
Karthik Shekhar, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has been named a 2026 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar. Faculty who receive this award are within the first five years of their academic careers, have each created an outstanding independent body of scholarship, and are deeply committed to education. Each Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar receives an unrestricted…
April 28, 2026
Applications are open for QB3-Berkeley’s graduate student and postdoc science writing workshop, Science Writing for the Public: Share Your Research and Connect with Audiences. This two-part workshop will offer participants training in writing science communications for a general audience. Description, timeline, and application details below. Workshop Description This two-part workshop provides QB3-Berkeley graduate students and…
April 24, 2026
Protein-based spider silk inspires new fibers sourced from compost In a bold effort to address the growing challenge of textile waste in landfills, the Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $10 million to research led by engineers and scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, to develop biodegradable fibers that can rival the strength and flexibility…
April 17, 2026
A journalist, a historian, a biologist and a bioengineer will receive a stipend to pursue independent work under “the freest possible conditions.” From Zora Neale Hurston to Jennifer Doudna, winners of the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship are known for artistic creations, scientific discoveries and groundbreaking scholarship that fundamentally transform our world. This year, four UC Berkeley…
April 03, 2026
Ahmad Omar is an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research group leverages statistical mechanics and computer simulations to understand the emergent properties of soft condensed matter. By bridging microscopic details with macroscopic phenomena, the Omar lab explores diverse areas such as the self-assembly of complex phases and the dynamics…