UC Day in Sacramento 2026
On April 29, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk led a delegation of UCLA students, alumni and staff to Sacramento for a University of California (UC) advocacy day, an event that brought together all 10 UC campuses and the UC-managed Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The UCLA delegation met with more than 20 legislative offices. Discussions centered on the 2026-27 state budget for UC, a bond bill to provide funding for science and research, and a bond measure for affordable housing. The UCLA representatives urged members of the legislature to uphold their promise to fund the multi-year compact agreement between the state and UC, as well as to move forward the California Science and Health Research Bond Act and the Affordable Housing Bond Act with a set-aside for student housing. Advocates
highlighted UCLA’s far-reaching impact across the Southern California region and state, and addressed key challenges the university faces. The governor is scheduled to propose an updated 2026-27 state budget by May 14 for the legislature’s consideration.
U.S. Senate meetings with UC leadership
Following the Association of American Universities (AAU) Presidents and Chancellors meetings in Washington D.C., Chancellor Julio Frenk met with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, alongside Chancellors from UC Irvine, UC Davis, and UC Berkeley. The discussions focused on delays in federal research funding, the administration’s FY27 budget proposal, and the downstream impacts on graduate education, workforce development, and U.S. competitiveness. Both senators emphasized their support for higher education and research funding and committed to continue their advocacy efforts.
L.A. Supes recognize UCLA gymnasts
On April 28, members of the UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team were honored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. UCLA’s gymnasts are members of a seven-time NCAA championship program, one of the nation’s most successful. During the 2026 season, the team posted a 33–4 record, secured back-to-back Big Ten regular season and conference titles, and advanced to the NCAA Championships, finishing third overall.
“Our student-athletes work extremely hard to proudly represent this university and our beautiful city both in the classroom and across the country on the competition floor!” said UCLA Gymnastics Head Coach Janelle McDonald. “The board recognizing their efforts reminds our young women of the positive reach and impact they can make on our community through their hard work and achievements.”
Former senator at UCLA Luskin Summit: “Hope is hard work”
Speaking at the recent UCLA Luskin Summit, former U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler emphasized the importance of resilience and hard work in her keynote address to more than 400 attendees, including scholars, students, and community leaders. She highlighted the pressing challenges that Californians face, particularly in housing affordability, environmental health, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, while urging active political engagement and community collaboration. The summit also unveiled the UCLA Quality of Life Index, revealing a notable decline in Los Angeles residents’ satisfaction due to rising living costs and various challenges. Butler acknowledged those concerns and emphasized the need to respond. Progress, she said, demands “political pressure, community engagement,
and an intentional push.”
Deportations and street arrests rise exponentially, researchers find
In the first year of the current presidential administration, deportations in the United States surged fivefold, according to a report by the Deportation Data Project. The report highlights a significant increase in ICE arrests—quadrupling between the end of the Biden administration and January 2026—with arrests of individuals without criminal convictions increasing most sharply. As a result, ICE made eight times more arrests of people without criminal convictions, contributing to total detention beds reaching approximately 57,000 by January 2026.
UCLA Labor Center reopening
On April 23, California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and L.A. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez were among the hundreds who joined UCLA faculty and staff at the reopening of the UCLA James Lawson Jr. Justice Worker Center. In 2021, thanks to a $15-million allocation from the state legislature, UCLA purchased and rededicated the building in honor of Reverend James Lawson Jr., a civil and worker rights icon who taught labor studies at UCLA for 20 years. The center has been at the forefront of labor research and education and will continue to play a critical role in research, education, and shaping policy that serves the interests of workers and their communities.
UCLA Downtown: Connecting with the city
Located in the historic Title Insurance and Trust Building, UCLA Downtown serves as a new hub for community engagement and educational opportunities in Los Angeles. UCLA Extension now occupies the building as the inaugural tenant and operates the Bruin Collaborative on the sixth floor as a central space for courses, workshops, events, and local gatherings. An additional thirty-one community-focused UCLA programs will also call the building home. Located at the crossroads of multiple transit lines and soon to be directly linked by the 2027 D Line extension in Westwood, UCLA Downtown strengthens the university’s presence in the heart of Los Angeles and expands access to academic pathways for learners across the region.
Kareem helps celebrate transformative LAUSD/UCLA partnership
On April 10, Mann UCLA Community School celebrated its centennial, showcasing UCLA's commitment to education and community connection. The event featured UCLA alum and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the dedication of the Skyhook Court, designed to enhance outdoor STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning.
UCLA Magazine: UCLA for Life
Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin. In UCLA Magazine’s Spring 2026 issue, get to know some of UCLA's legendary alums, a steady stream of MacArthur geniuses, a staff member who grew up on campus and Bruins who believe it’s never too late — to graduate.
From deep space to democracy: UCLA professors elected to National Academy of Sciences
UCLA’s Eric Becklin, Martin Gilens and Craig Manning have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their contributions to research in astronomy, Earth sciences, politics, and public policy. They join a distinguished group of new members selected by their peers for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. The National Academy, established in 1863 under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln, elects members annually. Today it has more than 2,700 active members who can be called on by the federal government to provide guidance on issues related to science, technology and social sciences.
DARPA taps UCLA team to develop AI for math advancement
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a team of UCLA computer scientists and mathematicians a three-year, $5-million grant to develop artificial intelligence tools aimed at transforming how mathematical discoveries are made, formalized and verified. The project, titled “ALPHA” — Accelerated Formal Proof Synthesis with Neuro-Symbolic Automation — is led by Wei Wang, a professor and chair of the computer science department at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.
‘Left turns’ lead to wearable health tech breakthroughs
UCLA professor Anne Andrews has developed a wearable device that measures key hormones in sweat with high precision. The technology, now commercialized through her startup FemSync, aims to give individuals real-time data on hormonal changes related to menstrual cycles, fertility, perimenopause, and menopause. Andrews, who holds appointments in psychiatry, chemistry, and bioengineering, built on years of federally supported research on brain chemicals and biosensors to create the noninvasive patch. The device has potential applications for both personal health tracking and clinical use, including earlier detection of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
24th Annual LABC Housing, Transportation & Jobs Summit
The recent Los Angeles Business Council's summit, held at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, brought together leaders in housing, finance, and infrastructure to discuss the latest survey on housing supply and affordability in Los Angeles. Congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered a keynote on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, while Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson outlined the goals of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency. A discussion with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass focused on advancing housing production. Other speakers included California Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing Tomiquia Moss and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who addressed the effects of shifting federal and state policies. The event concluded with a gubernatorial candidate
panel focused on housing strategies.
Rethinking Los Angeles communities
As part of the “Small Lots, Big Impacts” initiative, cityLAB-UCLA and Genesis LA have launched a new opportunity to develop starter home projects on small parcels of privately owned land in Los Angeles. This program focuses on creating medium-density residential buildings, such as duplexes and fourplexes, that fit within existing single-family neighborhoods, using favorable financing from Genesis LA’s Homeownership Innovation Funds. Unveiled at Mayor Karen Bass’s Innovative Construction Expo in 2024, the initiative highlights the need for compact, affordable housing to address the growing demand for homeownership in the city and invites developers to apply for funding through a request for information to be released on May 7, with applications due by June 12.
Connections link climate and natural disasters to homelessness
Recent UCLA research highlights the connection between climate change, displacement, and homelessness, indicating a pressing need for recovery planning that supports individuals who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes due to disasters. The studies show that each home lost to climate-related events significantly increases homelessness, underscoring the importance of housing stabilization in disaster response.
Bruins take to public transportation in record numbers
UCLA's transportation initiatives have made significant progress over the past 25 years, with more than 29,000 university-issued transit passes reflecting a growing reliance on public transportation among students, staff, and faculty. This year’s State of the Commute 2025 report shows that nearly 34% of off-campus students now use public transit as their primary commuting method, and the distribution of Bruin U-Pass for undergraduates has hit a record high. Faculty and staff participation has also increased as streamlined transit programs have made public transportation more accessible and affordable. As UCLA prepares for future enhancements, such as the upcoming D Line Extension and Sepulveda Transit Corridor rail line, the university continues to move toward a more sustainable
commuting future.
UC is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 895, a critical effort to sustain world-changing research that supports the quality of life for all Californians and fuels the state’s economy. Learn how you can help.
Jewish American Heritage Month
A curated selection of stories from across the UCLA campus spotlighting Jewish American voices, histories and research.
Xalisco, Lancaster
Wednesday, May 27
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
RSVP by May 15
Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA: LiveWell Podcast In the latest podcast episode, Lonnie Ali, a dedicated advocate for Parkinson’s research and widow of Muhammad Ali, discusses the true meaning of compassion and its significance in everyday life.
UCLA Health
Effective analysis of records can help prevent suicides
A recent UCLA-led study found that nearly 90% of suicide victims show signs of emotional dysregulation in the period leading up to their deaths. And reports that could reveal those warning signs are often overlooked by existing mental health diagnosis methods. The study shows that using large language models to analyze emergency reports could improve early interventions. Notably, 80% of the victims were men, and a lack of significant partnerships was a common factor.
How Down syndrome reshapes brain development before birth
Scientists at UCLA have created a detailed map showing how Down syndrome affects brain development before birth. By studying more than 100,000 cells from the brains of unborn babies, the team found that Down syndrome changes the way brain cells are produced, leading to an imbalance in types of brain cells. This imbalance may help explain differences in thinking and learning that people with this genetic condition experience later in life. The research fills a critical gap in understanding Down syndrome and could help shape new treatments in the future.
Can wearable technology detect the earliest signs of autism in infants?
UCLA Health researchers are working to develop wearable sensor technology to monitor infants’ movements in the first year to detect early motor delays linked to autism and other developmental conditions. The study aims to identify subtle movement abnormalities, such as coordination and grasping difficulties, which are often underrecognized.
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
UCLA's Teacher Education Program(TEP) prepares aspiring teachers to become social justice educators in urban communities. It combines research-based, culturally responsive, and culturally sustaining curricula with a focused effort to recruit and retain educators from historically under-resourced communities.
