News from UC Santa Cruz

Scientists propose a 'genome zoo' of
10,000 vertebrate species

The Genome 10K Project aims to answer longstanding questions about vertebrate evolution.

In the most comprehensive study of animal evolution ever attempted, an international consortium of scientists plans to assemble a genomic zoo--a collection of DNA sequences for 10,000 vertebrate species. The group outlined the project in a paper published in the Journal of Heredity.

"For the first time, we have a chance to really see evolution in action, caught in the act of changing whole genomes," said David Haussler, UCSC professor of biomolecular engineering and a lead author of the paper. Read more »

Tim Stephens, Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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• History professor to establish new program in Ancient Studies at UCSC

  Nov 4 - History professor Charles Hedrick will use his recent UC Presidential Chair appointment to establish and develop a new program in Ancient Studies on the UCSC campus....Read the story

• Campus again partnering with United Way for annual campaign

  Nov 1 - An opportunity to help those in greatest need in our community and county during these tough economic times is under way on campus through the annual United Way campaign....Read the story

• Historic district plaque symbolizes 'stories yet untold'

  Nov 1 - With the unveiling of a permanent bronze plaque from the National Register of Historic Places, the Cowell Lime Works Historic district became not only the gateway to UC Santa Cruz, but also "to...Read the story

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Uncommon place. Uncommon people.

Student

Michelle Romero:
Before transferring to UCSC from Foothill College, Michelle Romero volunteered as a mentor to young people in a juvenile detention facility. "I saw a bit of my own life's story in theirs," she said, "and I realized how easily each decision we make can truly impact our life experience."

Now a literature major at UCSC, Romero serves as the legislative analyst and action intern for the Student Union Assembly, working on statewide campaigns.

"My internship with SUA is at the heart of what I want to do in life, working in social justice issues and advocating for educational reform," she says. "The feeling that I'm making a difference is rewarding." Read more »

Alumni

Mark Henne:
Mark Henne (M.S., computer science '90) has been an animation specialist for Pixar since 1994. He began his career there as a summer intern after his first year in his master's program at UCSC.

Henne assisted with the modeling team for Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story. Since then, he has assisted with facial structures in A Bug's Life, the motion of clothing in Monster's Inc., and clothing and human hair flow in The Incredibles. Henne is currently working on a new Pixar film, The Bear and the Bow, due out in summer 2011.

During a recent visit to Santa Cruz, Henne gave a talk about his work at Pixar. Read about the presentation in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and Good Times Santa Cruz.

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