Research
UC Santa Cruz research improves lives and livelihoods—help us safeguard the future of innovation.
Engineers have the power to create new things and the responsibility to use our knowledge for good.
Our faculty and students pursue novel, visionary research that leads to positive societal impact.
R1
Designated Research 1 University
(Carnegie Research Foundation)
60
patents awarded
(2022-24)
$47.2M
in new research funding
(2024)
11
research institutes and centers
(2024)
What’s trending
Researchers run high-performing large language model on the energy needed to power a lightbulb
UC Santa Cruz researchers show that it is possible to eliminate the most computationally expensive element of running large language models, called matrix multiplication, while maintaining performance.
Bold new solutions to society’s most complex issues
Explore research by impact areas
Undergraduate research
Research opportunities abound for Baskin Engineering students. The world-recognized Genomics Institute provides a hands-on and immersive environment for students interested in genomics. You can join clubs and student groups to explore genomic research and collaborate on projects with your peers. Baskin Engineering is also home to a nationally ranked computer game design major, recognized as one of the top 10 undergraduate programs in the country. Undergraduates work with faculty on innovative projects in areas like cyber-physical systems, security, and artificial intelligence—just a few of the many ways to get involved and make an impact.
Latest research news
- The recipients include innovators who have created breakthroughs in knowledge and technology that are improving our world and community partners.
- Melissa Cline is a prominent figure in the field of cancer genomics and currently manages the BRCA Exchange, the largest public resource for knowledge on genetic variations that influence heritable breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.
- With new research, applied mathematicians at UC Santa Cruz introduce methods to improve the forecasting of pest populations
- Our campus is making remarkable progress on our sustainability and resilience goals, which is worth highlighting as we celebrate Earth Day, which holds special meaning at UC Santa Cruz.
Research with impact
Innovating autonomous vehicles, space exploration, and robotics with Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ricardo Sanfelice.
Additional areas of expertise
Algorithms, Logic, and Complexity
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Bayesian Statistics
Communications, Signals, and Image Processing
Computer Hardware: Architecture, Chip Design, FPGAs, and Design Automation
Computer Games
Computer Security and Privacy
Computer Vision, Visualization, and Graphics
Covid-19 Research
Cyber-Physical Systems
Database Systems
Data Science
Distributed Systems
Electronic Circuits
Human-Computer Interaction
Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Analysis
Natural Language Processing
Networks
Photonics and Electronic Devices
Programming Languages
Real-time Systems
Robotics and Control
Systems Biology
Software Engineering
Storage Systems
Vaccines and Antiviral Therapeutics