By Date

Dan Kammen on USAID, Clean Energy, and the Future of Global Development

College of Natural Resources - Thu, 02/06/2025 - 12:23
Image of Dan Kammen with library backdrop February 06, 2025

The Energy and Resources Group professor was interviewed about the consequences of dismantling USAID, what it means for clean energy and economic development worldwide, and how the U.S. might navigate global leadership in sustainability without its flagship development agency.

Student Spotlight: Michael Brand

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 02/04/2025 - 16:40
Image of Michael Brand presenting his poster. February 05, 2025

The second-year Environment Economics & Policy student was recently interviewed about his experience studying transoceanic internet cables through UC Berkeley's Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program.

Alum Zac Unger serving on the Oakland City Council

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 02/04/2025 - 13:08
Portrait of Zac Courtesy February 04, 2025

A graduate of the Range and Wildlife Management program, Unger was elected as Oakland’s District 1 Councilmember last November.

Book Talk: Most Delicious Poison by Noah Whiteman

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology - Fri, 01/31/2025 - 15:02

Whiteman book talkProfessor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution and Development Noah Whiteman will be speaking about his new book, Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature’s Toxins—From Spices to Vices, on March 5th at 5:00 pm in the Berkeley Morrison library. Learn more about the event here

Balancing action and acceptance amidst rapid environmental change

College of Natural Resources - Fri, 01/31/2025 - 10:36
A large blue mesh bag filled with crabs placed on a concrete surface. A person's leg in jeans is visible on the left side. February 03, 2025

A new study led by ESPM graduate student Abby Keller may help ecosystem managers and decision-makers determine when it is best to accept rapid, irreversible ecological changes.

Life cycles of some insects adapt well to a changing climate. Others, not so much.

Department of Integrative Biology - Fri, 01/31/2025 - 10:23

Grasshopper

Postdoctoral fellow César Nufio and his colleagues (IB Professor Caroline Williams, Dr. Lauren Buckley, and Dr. Monica Sheffer) have shared a new study of Colorado grasshoppers that shows grasshoppers that overwinter as juveniles have a head start on those that emerge in the spring. Read more via this UC Berkeley News link here: https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/01/31/life-cycles-of-some-insects-adapt-well-to-a-changing-climate-others-not-so-much/.
 

Categories: Science News

Coordinating interests is key to achieving clean energy goals

College of Natural Resources - Fri, 01/31/2025 - 09:45
Electric vehicle charging stations in a parking lot with palm trees in the background. January 31, 2025

A government is far likelier to achieve clean energy goals when its policies resolve conflicting interests between different stakeholders, according to new research led by ESPM professor Jonas Meckling.

2025 MCB Lisa Eshun-Wilson Community Award

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology - Thu, 01/30/2025 - 16:17

Recipients of the 2025 MCB Lisa Eshun-Wilson Community AwardWe are excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 MCB Lisa Eshun-Wilson Community Award. This award was established to recognize the outstanding contributions of our MCB graduate students and postdocs who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to fostering a welcoming and equitable community.

Community and forest health intertwine in pinyon-juniper woodlands

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 13:40
A hand reaches towards a green pine cone hanging from a branch against a clear blue sky. January 28, 2025

ESPM professor Miranda Redmond and researchers in her lab are collaborating with Stanford University, tribal nations, and California government agencies on an interdisciplinary project aimed at improving the resilience of pinyon-juniper woodlands.

California’s most elusive mammal photographed for the first time

College of Natural Resources - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 10:51
A Mount Lyell shrew photographed in the brush near Lee Vining in the Eastern Sierra. January 27, 2025

A team led by alum Vishal Subramanyan, released the first images of the Mount Lyell shrew more than 100 years after it was discovered.

Can California Afford Carbon Pricing?

College of Natural Resources - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 13:42
Electric cars charging in a parking lot with charging stations under a partly cloudy sky. Trees and a building are in the background. January 24, 2025

Professor Meredith Fowlie writes about the future of California’s cap-and-trade program in a recent Energy Institute blog post

Yartsev wins Richard Lounsbery Award

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 01/23/2025 - 14:41
Michael Yartsev will receive the 2025 Richard Lounsbery Award from the National Academy of Sciences to recognize his extraordinary scientific achievement in understanding the neural basis of natural behaviors.
Categories: Science News

In Memoriam Professor Emerita Thelma E. Rowell

Department of Integrative Biology - Thu, 01/23/2025 - 14:26

Troop of Gelada monkies
It is with sadness that we report the passing of Professor Emerita Thelma E. Rowell during December 2024. Dr. Rowell joined the Berkeley faculty in 1974 as a member of the Department of Zoology and, later, the Department of Integrative Biology.

Categories: Science News

Yartsev wins Richard Lounsbery Award

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 01/23/2025 - 10:46

photo of Yartsev near trees

Michael Yartsev will receive the 2025 Richard Lounsbery Award from the National Academy of Sciences to recognize his extraordinary scientific achievement in advancing our understanding of the neural basis of natural behaviors.
Categories: Science News

Mapping Earth’s plant life to help combat climate change

College of Natural Resources - Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:40
An image of a woman smiling against a dark grey background. A graphic of a satellite in space is in a small box next to her head. January 22, 2025

Stephanie Pau, a professor of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management and Geography, explains the science behind biogeography in 101 seconds.

Applying racial-justice principles to predators and their ecosystems

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 01/21/2025 - 13:02
Tyus Williams surrounded by trees January 21, 2025

Environmental Science, Policy, and Management graduate student Tyus Williams harnesses his lived experiences to inform his research while documenting it on social media.

Bridge RNAs: ‘Holy Grail’ in Next-Gen Gene Editing Tech?

Department of Bioengineering - Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:13
Patrick Hsu's breakthrough discovery of bridge RNA gene editing tools is discussed on WebMD, with contributions from BioE alumnus Connor Tou.
Categories: Science News

Logged tropical forests are still valuable for biodiversity

College of Natural Resources - Thu, 01/16/2025 - 15:31
An aerial view of a green forested area transitioning into a neatly arranged plantation of palm trees. January 16, 2025

A new study of tropical forests in Borneo could better inform whether areas should be protected or restored after logging.

Study highlights crucial role of wildlife in human and ecosystem health and well-being

College of Natural Resources - Wed, 01/15/2025 - 12:31
January 15, 2025

An international team of researchers asserts that inadequate recognition of wildlife's benefits to humans can hinder global conservation efforts and policies.

Study: Habitat protections boost home values in surrounding communities

College of Natural Resources - Mon, 01/13/2025 - 11:27
A suburban neighborhood with numerous houses is set against a backdrop of green hills and a cloudy sky. January 13, 2025

Home prices within areas protected by the Endangered Species Act are barely changing, while prices in surrounding communities have increased by as much as 10 percent.