This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester.
Peyton Smith brings a love of water sports, an interest in medicine and a goal to work as a pediatrician to UC Merced. The Fresno student... Read More
Headlines
July 24, 2026
Bobcat kittens Boomer and Bobbie scampered, played and splashed in their pool Friday morning, blissfully unaware they were part of a major celebration at Merced's Applegate Zoo.
The zoo, closed since Jan. 1 for remodeling, reopened to a... Read More
July 23, 2026
When first-generation mechanical engineering student David Miguel arrived at UC Merced, he had no research experience, but a passion for engineering and a desire to learn.
A former foster care youth from Los Angeles, Miguel had limited... Read More
July 22, 2026
Talk about meta: A pop culture phenomenon is using a pop culture phenomenon to undo the results of a pop culture phenomenon.
And for the fourth consecutive year, paleoecology Professor Sora Kim is diving back into the spotlight of the... Read More
July 21, 2026
Yaritza Mora clutched her boarding pass and took a deep breath. Alone at the airport, bound for Barcelona, she wasn't just crossing time zones - she was crossing into a new phase of life.
She had traveled before, but never solo. This... Read More