Research

merced theatres art kamangar center photo

Studying the ’Saurs: New Class is a ‘Gateway to Science’

One of the campus’s newest professors is teaching one of its newest classes on one of the world’s oldest subjects: dinosaurs.

But there’s much more to Professor Justin Yeakel’s Natural History of Dinosaurs class than just talking about T-rex and the velociraptors.

Ancient DNA Sheds Light on Origins of Himalayan Populations

Mark AldenderferIn a collaborative study by the University of California, Merced, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Chicago and Uppsala University in Sweden, researchers conduct the first ancient DNA investigation of the Himalayan arc, gen

Dedicated Student Breaks Ground With Ph.D., Autism Research

Nikko Da PazWhen Nikko Da Paz decided to go to graduate school, she didn’t limit herself to one degree — or even one campus.

Scientists Unveiling the Complexity of Mysterious Protein Folding

Professor Victor MuñozImagine trying to reverse engineer a car when all you have is a finished product or a box full of parts — no instructions.

Brainstorm: Professors Take Holistic Approach to Study Thinking, Learning and Neuroscience

The following article is the main story in a six-piece package that appeared in the spring issue of UC Merced Magazine focusing on the research performed at UC Merced that relates to the brain. You can read the other stories, on consciousness, machine learning and artificial intelligence, linguistics, developmental psychology and the study of brain elasticity online.

Wildfire Increasing in the West Because of Climate Change, Research Shows

Professor WesterlingThe number, size and duration of large mountain forest fires in the Western United States has increased dramatically in the past 40 years, according to research from UC Merced

Campus Getting Greener with New Research Growing Spaces

Everyone knows UC Merced is growing, but pretty soon, the campus will be growing lots of plant specimens for research, too.

Professor Recounts Lost History of Migrant Workers in New Book

Mario SifuentezWhen UC Merced Professor Mario Sifuentez was a graduate student, he didn’t have to look far to find a subject to research — members of his family had been migrant workers

Study Links Cancer Cell Growth to Nervous System

Nestor OviedoCancer cells divide with more frequency and are more resilient when they are closer to the brain, indicating a potential link between cell growth and the nervous system, according to new research from Professor

New Book Shows Pros and Cons of Helicopter Parenting

Laura HamiltonSo-called “helicopter parents” — those who hover over their children even into and through their college years — are often criticized for creating overly sheltered, unprepared young adults who boomerang back home.