The cost of uncertainty In the first episode of the UCLA College podcast “Science Interrupted,” UCLA professor Eric Deeds discusses how unstable federal funding threatens discoveries that fight cancer and shape lives. From his lab’s work on how cells decide their fate to the cancer-fighting drugs that save lives, Deeds explains why research isn’t a miracle — it’s the result of decades of investment and commitment.
Did you know? UCLA has been at the forefront of groundbreaking medical advancements that have transformed healthcare.
►The world’s first successful human bladder transplant was performed at UCLA in May 2025, restoring kidney and bladder function in a cancer survivor| Dr. Nima Nassiri's groundbreaking surgery ► Herceptin, the revolutionary therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer developed at UCLA, has helped save or extend nearly 3 million lives since 1998 | Dr. Dennis Slamon's research ► Research at UCLA was integral to the development of imaging systems such as the PET scanner | UCLA Healthcare Innovation at UCLA ► The nicotine patch was invented at UCLA – helping millions quit smoking since 1992| UCLA pharmacologist invented nicotine patch ► UCLA physicians reported the nation’s — and the world’s — first cases ofAIDSin 1981 | UCLA in the Time of AIDS
UCLA researchers elected to National Academy of Inventors
Meet Maher El-Kady, who is innovating safer and more efficient battery technologies for a sustainable energy future, and Dr. Dennis Slamon, a pioneer in breast cancer treatment known for developing Herceptin. Together, they embody UCLA's mission to turn research into real-world solutions.
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Check out UC President J.B. Milliken’s new Substack on the state of higher education and UC’s role in driving academic excellence. ► Subscribe
What makes UC a scientific powerhouse? Ask a Nobel laureate
The University of California employs more Nobel Prize laureates than any other public university system, and it counts 75 Nobel winners among its faculty. Four of these laureates, including UCLA astronomer Andrea Ghez, recently told the UC Board of Regents that their landmark discoveries — including Ghez’s direct imaging of the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way’s center — happened only because of the resources, collaboration, and environment UC provides. These advances improve human health, launch new industries, create high-skill jobs, and strengthen California’s economy. Read more to learn how UCLA and UC research continue to solve major global challenges.
How UCLA leaders are championing global education and research
UCLA recently held its International Education Week event, “UCLA ‘Glocal’ Conversation: Advancing Global Education and Research in Turbulent Times,” featuring discussions led by university leaders. The forum addressed the challenges faced by the university and strategies to promote global collaboration in research and education. Key points included the historical international nature of science, the global reach of the UCLA Library, and UCLA Extension's educational outreach, highlighting the university's commitment to fostering an interconnected academic environment.
UCLA Downtown tour with Assemblymember Haney
On December 8, UCLA welcomed Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery. Representatives from other members of the select committee as well as from Mayor Bass’ office joined the walking tour which included UCLA Downtown. The tour provided the committee an opportunity to learn about successful adaptive reuse projects and the potential for transforming historic buildings into educational spaces. During the visit, Associate Vice Chancellor Jennifer Poulakidas detailed UCLA's long-term vision to expand the university's educational footprint downtown and discussed opportunities for collaboration with local stakeholders to support a thriving and more accessible downtown neighborhood.
UCLA engages with assemblymembers
In November and December, UCLA Government and Community Relations, in partnership with other campus units, including Administration, Housing & Hospitality, Facilities Management, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid & Scholarships, and Health met with Assemblymembers Sade Elhawary and Celeste Rodriguez. During their visits, the assemblymembers participated in a roundtable discussion and a tour that highlighted the important work being done at UCLA as well as challenges the university faces.
A Los Angeles community’s century of memory, preserved
In January 2025, devastating wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a historic site that served the community for more than a century. Fortunately, the UCLA Library had previously acquired extensive records documenting the congregation's history, including newsletters, financial reports, and photographs, preserving vital information about the Jewish community in the region. This collection, processed by the Library, ensures that valuable historical materials remain accessible for study and research, highlighting the cultural and religious activities of the Pasadena Jewish community from the 1930s to the present.
UCLA Anderson Forecast & Ziman Center assess disaster recovery and racial equity in Altadena following the Eaton Fire
In the December 2025 letter, UCLA research shows that eight months after the 2025 Eaton Fire, fewer than 10% of severely damaged Altadena homes have sold. Homeowners face major financial barriers, rebuilding permits remain slow despite streamlined rules, rent gouging worsens the housing crisis, and small local businesses struggle to recover. The studies call for faster permitting, stronger financial support, and streamlined rebuilding to help families return home quickly.
The impact of immigration enforcement on U.S. high schools
A study by the UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education and Access shows that more than 70% of U.S. high schools have felt the effects of intensified immigration enforcement, with principals noting concerns among immigrant students about their safety. Many schools reported declines in attendance as immigrant parents moved away, and incidents of bullying against these students also increased. In response, principals have created plans to support immigrant families, including strategies for dealing with visits by federal agents and helping students whose parents face deportation.
Victims of hate acts in California are not getting the support they need
A study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research reveals that over 3 million Californians aged 12+ faced more than 17 million hate acts in one year. Nearly one-third of victims received no support, with the highest unmet needs coming from American Indian/Alaska Native and Black residents, people with disabilities, women, and those with unstable housing. One in five victims endured six or more hate acts. Many survivors changed daily routines, avoided public places, grew distrustful of strangers, and suffered lasting mental and physical health problems. The most common needs were mental health care, physical protection, and help dealing with law enforcement.
Why healthcare keeps getting more expensive
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs economist Wesley Yin, who previously served in the Biden and Obama administrations, is launching a new study to examine the reasons for the rising costs in health care. Specifically, Yin hopes to look at the effect of mergers in the hospital and insurance industries. Funded by an Arnold Ventures grant, Yin plans to analyze Census and IRS data to evaluate how consolidation in the healthcare sector affects workers' earnings and job stability, addressing issues like bargaining power and wage disparity. Additionally, he will investigate Washington state's public-option plan to develop effective government-supported strategies that compel dominant providers to reduce patient costs. The study will attempt to determine whether such plans might be more
effective at lowering costs.
Reducing financial barriers to contraception lowers rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions
A UCLA study showed that removing contraception costs allows women to prevent pregnancies. When contraception is made less expensive, unintended pregnancies fall 16%, abortions drop 12%, and long-acting contraceptive use (IUDs and implants) surges 217%. The study’s lead author, Martha Bailey, confirms that cost alone blocks low-income women from the birth control they want. Yet Title X, the federal program that funds these services, already faces grant freezes and possible elimination in the fiscal 2026 budget.
When SNAP was cut off, California rallied
During the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, the interruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits affected 5.5 million Californians. In response, Governor Newsom deployed the National Guard to food banks, allocated $80 million in state aid, and started Operation Feed California to increase volunteering and food donations.
UCLA also stepped up: Hunger Project increased its volunteer activities at local food banks, preparing and distributing meals while informing community members about available food resources during the crisis. Swipe Out Hunger partnered with the UCLA Economic Crisis Response Team to deliver free meal swipes and fresh produce from Westwood and Brentwood farmers markets to affected students, while collecting more than 60,000 donated swipes this school year.
Men’s water polo team wins NCAA championship, UCLA’s 125th, in instant classic
UCLA men's water polo secured its 14th national championship title and successfully repeated as champs after winning in 2024. This latest win not only adds to the team's impressive legacy, marking their fifth instance of back-to-back championships, but also adds to UCLA's overall tally of 125 national titles across all sports.
UCLA Government and Community Relations in the community
(Left to Right): UCLA alum Caroline Torosis sworn in as mayor of Santa Monica; Central City Association holiday party with Capri Maddox, Executive Director of L.A. Civil Rights; LA Area Chamber of Commerce holiday party with California Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez; BizFed holiday party with California Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; VICA's 76th annual meeting.
UCLA Engagement
Make your voice heard!
The L.A. Department of Transportation wants your input to make Westwood Boulevard and Ohio Avenue safer and easier for walking, biking, and transit. Share your ideas through a quick survey and help shape upgrades from Le Conte to Exposition (including pre- and post-Olympics phases) plus Ohio Avenue improvements.
Webinar
Thursday, January 29
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP by Monday, January 26
UCLA Health
UCLA research leads to world’s first robotic-assisted cataract surgery
UCLA engineers and eye surgeons just achieved the world’s first robotic-assisted cataract surgeries on humans. After 15 years of joint research between the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the Stein Eye Institute, their high-precision system guided surgeons through 10 successful procedures in October with zero complications and accuracy down to 53 microns. This UCLA-born technology now moves toward wider clinical use, promising safer and more consistent outcomes for the 26 million cataract surgeries performed globally each year.
Novel breast cancer therapy reduces risk of recurrence
UCLA researchers discovered that giredestrant, a new oral medication, can significantly lower the chances of breast cancer returning in early-stage patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative tumors. In their study with 4,170 participants, those taking giredestrant had a 30% lower risk of cancer coming back and a 31% lower chance of it spreading. Many more patients were able to stick with giredestrant without stopping due to side effects. This breakthrough could change breast cancer treatment after years of using older therapies.
Supporting Communities: UCLA's Impact
Discover how UCLA's students, staff, and faculty are enhancing the well-being of Greater Los Angeles through UCLA Community Partnerships.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Established in 1959, the UCLA Latin American Institute (LAI) is a designated National Resource Center in Latin American Studies supported by the U.S. Department of Education. LAI drives cutting-edge research, teaching, and community engagement by uniting nearly 200 faculty and students, hosting K-12 curriculum workshops, partnering with the Southern California Association of Latin American Studies to expand programs and creating public events with Latin American consulates, L.A. cultural institutions, and universities throughout the region.
