Standing before fellow freshwater scientists at the Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, UC Riverside Evolution Ecology & Organismal Biology (EEOB) doctoral student, Ria Ghosh, presented research examining the health of one of Southern California's most important—and heavily altered—river systems. The Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting brings together freshwater scientists, students, agency researchers, practitioners...
For many incoming students, college doesn't begin on the first day of classes—it begins the moment they start building the relationships, confidence and support network that will carry them through their first year. During the first of seven CNAS Summer Orientation sessions on July 6, hundreds of incoming students and their families took those first...
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way scientists explore the universe—from designing more sensitive instruments and accelerating complex simulations to uncovering patterns hidden within enormous datasets. But at the Science x AI Summit held at UC Riverside, one idea surfaced again and again: the greatest breakthroughs won't come from technology alone. They will come from the...
Nobel Prize-winning physicist Adam Riess visited UC Riverside on June 4 to deliver the latest installment of the Frontiers of Cosmology Lecture Series, offering a public exploration of one of the most profound mysteries in modern science: why the universe’s expansion is accelerating. Hosted by the UCR Center for Experimental Cosmology & Instrumentation (CECI) in...
On April 21, 2026, the California Agricultural Day at the Capitol brought together leaders from across the state’s agricultural ecosystem—farmers, industry partners, policymakers, and universities—on the grounds of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Among them, the University of California, Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) stood out, not only for its research and...
The Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Riverside has launched the new UCR Experimental Landscapes Facility, an innovative research space designed to help scientists better understand how landscapes evolve over time. Led by Eric Barefoot, Assistant Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences, the facility allows researchers to recreate scaled-down versions...
The UC Riverside community is mourning the loss of Emerita Professor Jodie Holt — a distinguished scientist, beloved educator, visionary leader, and passionate advocate for the natural world,whose influence shaped generations of students, colleagues, and visitors to the UCR Botanic Gardens. Holt passed away on April 27, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in discovery...
Each year, the UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) proudly recognizes a select group of students who have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic achievements, innovative research, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the science community. These outstanding individuals are more than just award recipients—they are a testament to the...
UC Riverside’s growing Cosmetic Chemistry certificate program took a major step forward on May 5, 2026, with the launch of its first Cosmetic Chemistry Career Fair & Industry Panel—a collaborative effort that brought together students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders for a day of connection, insight, and opportunity. At the center of the event were...
It is with immense sadness and shock that we share the passing of Adriana Romero-Olivares on April 28, 2026. Adriana was a brand-new Assistant Professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at UC Riverside. Adriana joined UC Riverside on January 1, 2026, and was just beginning her research and teaching here. Although...
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Jodie Holt, Professor Emerita and former Chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, former Divisional Dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), and Director of the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, who passed away in the early morning of...
For a group of UC Riverside students, research didn’t just stay in the lab—it took them all the way to Capitol Hill. From March 1–2, 2026, four Highlanders—Angel Zarobinski, Mia Alvarado, Logan Reynosa, and faculty mentor Dr. Stephanie Dingwall—traveled to Washington, D.C. through the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Scholars Transforming through Research (STR) Program...
The Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Riverside marked a significant milestone on April 1, 2026, with the launch of the inaugural Richard R. Schrock Distinguished Lecture, a new series designed to bring leading voices in chemistry to campus and inspire the next generation of scientists. The lecture honors Distinguished Professor of Chemistry...
The 98th Annual California FFA State Leadership Conference, held March 21–24, 2026, in Ontario, California, brought together more than 7,000 high school students, advisors, and guests—making it one of the largest statewide events dedicated to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders. For the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) at UC Riverside, the...
Over the past two weekends, UC Riverside brought the Highlander experience on the road—welcoming newly admitted students and their families at Regional Celebrations in Oakland, San Diego, and Los Angeles. For many, these events marked their first introduction to the campus community they may soon call home. For others, they were a chance to begin...
Dean CNAS Community, I am very pleased to announce the appointment, after an internal search, of Professor Tim Higham as the new Director of the UCR Natural Reserves System. Professor Higham will succeed Professor Kimberly Hammond, who is stepping down from this position. Professor Higham joined the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology in...
On a quiet stretch of campus near Lot 30, something different is happening. There are rows of vegetables pushing up through the soil, pollinators drifting between native plants, and students kneeling in the dirt—talking, learning, laughing, working side by side. Some arrive for a volunteer shift. Others come for a class project. Some just want...
The UC Riverside College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) strengthened its presence in the agricultural community at the 2026 World Ag Expo (WAE), held February 10–13 in Tulare, California, building on last year’s successful debut with an expanded slate of faculty seminars and, for the first time, an interactive pavilion booth. Over three days...
For more than a decade, UC Riverside has been advancing turfgrass research through a revitalized breeding program focused on performance, resilience, and environmental efficiency. One of its most significant outcomes is Coachella Bermudagrass — a new cultivar developed through collaborative research led by UCR Professor and Turfgrass Specialist, James H. Baird, and UCR Professor and...
