Scholars in the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies (STS) examine knowledge production, scientific practices, and therapeutics in social and cultural context. At UCSC, STS scholars analyze the symbolic dimensions and representational practices of global and community health; …
Immunology & Vaccines
Vaccines save lives and play a key role in contributing to global health. Through vaccination, humanity has largely eliminated diseases such as polio and has completely eradicated smallpox. The rapid development of vaccines to combat Covid-19 is helping the world to reopen following a year of …
Big Data & Genomics
Global DNA sequencing capacity has more than doubled every six months in the last decade. This genetic information is powering revolutions across many fields. Disease outbreaks can be tracked and responded to in near real-time; for example, global monitoring of SARS-COV2 variants is essential to …
Neuroscience
Rising living standards and advances of modern medicine have extended and improved the quality of life, but also forever changed society. The stress of modern life triggers various mental disorders, and our prolonged life expectancy makes aging-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration more …
Infectious Disease
As COVID has underlined anew, infectious disease presents a huge health threat both globally and locally. The World Health Organization estimates that infectious diseases are responsible for about 1 out of every 5 years of healthy life lost due to disease or disability. This burden falls most …
Cancer & NCD Genomics
Genomic analysis of genes, genomes and genetic variation is transforming human health. Cancer is a leading cause of death world wide, with more than 10 million deaths per year. Our faculty use genomics to uncover the genetic causes and blueprints of cancer, as well as new diagnostics and innovative …
Drug Development
Biomedical innovation over the last half century has improved health and extended lifespan globally. The molecular understanding of disease, along with sophisticated automation and screening technologies, have ushered in a new era of drug discovery. However, many infectious diseases, including ones …
Toxicology
Human activities over the past several centuries have not only profoundly modified the physical environment that we live in, but also the chemical environment, such that many chemical toxins are now ubiquitous throughout the Earth’s biosphere. Toxicology is the study of how exposure to …
