The Biomolecular Engineering (BME) Department within the Baskin School of Engineering features an interdisciplinary blend of engineering, biology, chemistry, and statistics designed to foster collaboration with other departments. This blend reflects our vision of the direction that biomedical discovery will take over the next two decades.
Members of the Biomolecular Engineering Department collaborate actively with faculty from other engineering departments and with the Physical and Biological Sciences departments of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Ocean Sciences.
1st
to complete a gapless sequence of a human genome
#13
best public school for making an impact (Princeton Review, 2025)
AAU
in 2019, UCSC was named to the Association of American Universities, joining just 65 other universities
6th
Distinguished Professor David Haussler ranked sixth among top scientists in computer science (Top Scientists Rankings for Computer Science and Electronics, 2021)
Explore potential Biomolecular Engineering career paths
- Research Scientist
- Product Manager
- Engineer
- Field Technician
- Process Engineer
- IT Specialist/Analyst
Discovering new vaccine targets
Researchers pinpoint a target for treating the virus that causes the stomach bug—driving forward the development of vaccines and therapies.
BME research news
Immersion in childhood cancer research transforms undergrads into scientists—and advocates
The Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative is giving 80 students the opportunity to become cancer researchers for a quarter, thanks in part to generous funding from the UCSC Degree-Defining Experiences Program and the Dragon Master Initiative.
How early pregnancy impacts aging: implications for breast-cancer risk
New study by UC Santa Cruz team discovers that early pregnancy in mice reduces buildup of ‘confused’ cells that could lead to breast cancer later in life
Three UC Santa Cruz professors and one student recognized as Santa Cruz Works ‘Titans’
This recognition celebrates their contributions to the region’s technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
