Two UCLA computer scientists will help lead major national efforts to make quantum computers more practical and reliable. Professors Jason Cong and Jens Palsberg each serve as co-principal investigators on separate research institutes backed by five-year, $37.5-million grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The institutes form part of a larger NSF program investing more than $290 million across eight centers to advance quantum science. Cong will lead UCLA’s work on software and tools that help quantum systems handle errors more effectively, while Palsberg and the UCLA team will focus on improving current systems and developing software that compares different quantum technologies.
UCLA is expanding its fare-free public transit program for employees. Under the Tier 1 Plus expansion, roughly 20,000 UCLA and UCLA Health employees who earn less than $100,000 annually and hold at least a 43.75% appointment now qualify for a free quarterly pass covering 13 major Southern California transit systems, including L.A. Metro, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Culver CityBus. The expansion receives $3.5 million in grant funding from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, and it builds on a program first introduced in 2023.
On August 31, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk outlined a new direction for UCLA Athletics, emphasizing the need for a sustainable model that addresses the department's significant financial shortfall. He announced the departure of Martin Jarmond as the director of athletics and appointed Tim Harris as the new CEO and director of UCLA Athletics. Harris, a UCLA alumnus and experienced sports executive, will build on UCLA’s long tradition of athletic excellence and focus on developing strategies to increase revenue through partnerships, licensing, and other ventures. The new approach aims to enhance the student-athlete experience and ensure that UCLA Athletics continues to contribute to the university's academic and community missions.
In an interview with UCLA Magazine, new UCLA head football coach Bob Chesney, hired in December, emphasized a family-oriented culture within the program, reflecting his upbringing in the sport and his experience with coaches who prioritized a familial environment. He discussed the importance of integrating players and their families on campus, fostering inclusivity and support. Chesney’s arrival at UCLA has generated positive reactions and reenergized Bruin football fans, and his recruiting efforts have positioned the 2027 class among the nation’s top 20. The team’s first preseason game this past Saturday posted a W for the Bruins with UCLA beating Cal 45-24.
UCLA looks back at how Bruins have remembered and responded to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks while seeking to understand their lasting impact on those who experienced the events, the families and first responders affected, and the younger generation that knows the events as history. The university has engaged in various initiatives, including memorials, long-term health studies of first responders, and academic discussions about terrorism, security, and policy. Events range from solemn ceremonies shortly after the attacks to personal recollections from Bruins, showcasing the community's response and efforts to commemorate the tragedy.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), in collaboration with the UCLA Police Department (UCPD), the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD), and partnering public safety agencies, successfully completed a simulated, multi-threat counter-terrorism training exercise on the UCLA campus last month. The exercise featured simulated shots fired from Hedrick Hall, with dozens of officers, police aircraft, and approximately 60 actors portraying hostages, shooters, and victims. This five-hour training focused on responding to a mock terrorist attack, allowing agencies to evaluate their coordination, communication, and decision-making skills in preparation for potential threats to public safety.
UCLA now offers the nation’s first bachelor’s degree in digital humanities through a newly created independent department that pairs the humanities with technology and data science. The Department of Digital Humanities curriculum focuses on critical engagement with emerging technologies, preparing graduates to understand and navigate the complexities of digital tools, particularly in areas like AI, user experience design, and data analytics. This preparation ensures that students are not only marketable but also capable of addressing contemporary challenges in technology, making them attractive candidates for a variety of employers.
A recent UCLA study by researchers with the California Center for Sustainable Communities, housed in UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, finds that California has failed to implement an effective community solar program for a decade because state regulators have not applied the valuation tools the state has developed for the program. Their analysis shows that community solar delivers lower energy bills in Illinois, New York, and Maryland, and that consistent use of California’s own Avoided Cost Calculator, paired with storage, could produce similar savings for renters and low-income households while strengthening the grid. The study points to AB 1813 as a critical step that would require the state to value community solar subscriptions with these tools and
deliver power when demand peaks.
Concrete slowly absorbs small amounts of carbon dioxide from the air over its lifetime, a natural process sometimes proposed as a solution to the cement industry’s heavy carbon footprint. But a new UCLA-led study finds that this passive absorption process is far too slow and too small in scale to meaningfully offset the emissions released when cement is made. The research shows that while concrete absorbs carbon dioxide through a slow process known as ambient carbonation, it only offsets a fraction of the CO₂ generated from cement production, amounting to less than 10% of the industry’s annual emissions. This underscores the need for the cement industry to focus on technological solutions that reduce emissions during production, rather than relying on passive absorption from
concrete over prolonged periods.
A mysterious blip in the world’s most sensitive dark-matter detector has UCLA physicist Alvine Kamaha and her colleagues wondering if they’ve had the first tantalizing glimpse of the elusive particles they’ve long been hunting.
A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds that American Indian and Alaska Native adults in California face greater barriers to healthcare, report higher rates of adverse childhood experiences, and show elevated rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared with all adults in the state. Nearly 14% lacked health insurance for all or part of the past year, 21% delayed needed medical care, and 20% visited an emergency department. Four in five (80%) reported at least one adverse childhood experience, and 9% had attempted suicide in their lifetime, nearly double the statewide rate of 5%.
A new report titled “State of the Unions: California Labor in 2025,” released by the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, chronicles a year of union growth, worker activism, and mounting challenges. The report highlights the latest developments in union membership, organizing activity, and workers' direct actions in California, showcasing their efforts to build power amid ongoing difficulties.
With the nation facing a critical blood shortage, UCLA and 17 other universities will compete through December 4 for a great cause — and a $1 million grant.
A study by UCLA Health indicates that a treatment combining estriol and progesterone may alleviate memory lapses and concentration issues, often referred to as “brain fog,” in menopausal women. The study followed 20 women with an average age of 53, who reported significant improvements in symptoms after 12 months of treatment. Estriol, a natural estrogen found during pregnancy, differs from the more commonly used estradiol by primarily binding to a different brain receptor. Although the results show promise, researchers note that larger, placebo-controlled clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings.
UCLA Health is set to participate in a new three-year initiative to expand employment opportunities and training for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The UCLA Tarjan Center will partner with the California Department of Developmental Services to improve employment pathways, workforce training, leadership development, and access to resources. Only 15% of working-age individuals in this population earned wages in 2023–24, highlighting the need for enhanced support. The initiative includes programs focused on workforce preparation, advocacy training, and social skills development, with participants gaining real-world experience as paid interns.
Peptides are short protein segments with specific bodily functions, but many unapproved peptides marketed on social media promise advantages such as muscle building, injury recovery, and anti-aging effects without sufficient evidence. Dr. Thomas Kremen and medical student Kushagra Tewari reviewed 565 studies on six emerging peptides and found that more than 66% of these studies were conducted on animals, often failing to translate effectively to humans. The limited human studies showed marginal improvements, typically with poor design and conflicting interests. Risks include potential health issues, such as increased rates of heart failure. Furthermore, unregulated production practices raise concerns about contamination and accuracy of ingredient labeling, as
many products do not undergo FDA oversight.
Supporting communities: UCLA's impact
Discover how UCLA's students, staff, and faculty are enhancing the well-being of Greater Los Angeles throughUCLA Community Partnerships.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
The UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)has emerged as a nationally respected and leading voice in data-driven policy and Latino-focused research. Recognized for timely, impactful work across academic, media, government, and grassroots advocacy, LPPI’s model is grounded in cross-disciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and leadership development.
