Rausser College News

Justin Brashares named National Geographic Explorer in Residence

May 1, 2026
The conservation scientist and ESPM professor joins the Society's community of Explorers and will guide the scientific research and conservation strategy for its Blue Boundaries initiative.Read more about Justin Brashares named National Geographic Explorer in Residence

Alain de Janvry honored as one of two UC distinguished emeriti

April 28, 2026
The distinguished professor emeritus of Agricultural and Resource Economics was recognized for his continued scholarly or service to the UC system following his 2017 retirement.Read more about Alain de Janvry honored as one of two UC distinguished emeriti

Rachel Morello-Frosh named inaugural Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment

April 22, 2026

The longtime ESPM professor and expert on the environmental justice impacts of climate change and health inequities will unite scholars across campus to address crucial environmental challenges.Read more about Rachel Morello-Frosh named inaugural Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment

Showcasing Rausser College expertise, climate solutions at SF Climate Week

April 17, 2026
Events featuring Rausser College students, faculty, and alumni are planned during the weeklong climate summit, which runs from April 18 to 26 throughout the Bay Area.Read more about Showcasing Rausser College expertise, climate solutions at SF Climate Week

Youjin Chung receives 2025 Prytanean Alumnae Faculty Enrichment award

April 15, 2026
The award recognizes the outstanding scholarship, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and service of a woman tenure-track faculty member at UC BerkeleyRead more about Youjin Chung receives 2025 Prytanean Alumnae Faculty Enrichment award

Four ESPM alums named among 11 Women to Watch in Science

April 8, 2026

Alums Rebecca Peters, Marianne Cowherd, Paige Stanley, and Katherine Siegel were recognized by the Story Exchange for their research on climate problems and solutions.Read more about Four ESPM alums named among 11 Women to Watch in Science

Two alumni doing vital work in rural California

April 2, 2026

Farm Advisor Brent Holtz (PhD '93 Plant Pathology) and Extension Forester Ricky Satomi (BS '09 Society & Environment, Forestry & Natural Resources; MF '16 Forestry) are building relationships and taking on leadership roles in the state's rural communities.Read more about Two alumni doing vital work in rural California

Bridging the Pacific for public health

March 31, 2026

In February, Rausser College Dean David Ackerly traveled to Taipei for a two-day conference organized by UC Berkeley and JP Morgan focused on building partnerships in biotech and healthcare.Read more about Bridging the Pacific for public health

David Zilberman elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

March 26, 2026

The longtime Agricultural and Resource Economics professor is recognized for introducing novel economic models that have informed public policy and driven technology adoption.Read more about David Zilberman elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Organ-on-a-chip technology replicates decades of human aging in just four days

March 25, 2026
A miniaturized system developed by UC Berkeley researchers can mimic the effects of nearly four decades of aging with high accuracy, potentially enabling rapid drug development and cheaper testing.Read more about Organ-on-a-chip technology replicates decades of human aging in just four days

Building partnerships with purpose

March 24, 2026

Rausser College’s impact extends far beyond campus and the Bay Area, with many researchers leading community-rooted projects that center the health and well-being of Californians in rural and agricultural areas.Read more about Building partnerships with purpose

ESPM Professor Peter Nelson contributes to ‘Good Fire’ exhibit

March 19, 2026
The Oakland Museum of California exhibit, which runs through the end of May, details how Native communities have long used controlled burning to sustain ecosystems.Read more about ESPM Professor Peter Nelson contributes to ‘Good Fire’ exhibit

Profile: Houston Wilson

March 11, 2026
Wilson, BS '05 Development Studies; PhD '14 Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, develops integrated pest management strategies for some of California’s most valuable agricultural commodities.Read more about Profile: Houston Wilson

Estimating the true carbon cost of northern wildfires

March 9, 2026
Johan Eckdahl, a postdoctoral scholar in Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group, serves a the study lead for research that suggests current climate estimates are failing to fully account for carbon released from smoldering organic soils.Read more about Estimating the true carbon cost of northern wildfires

Irrigation is central to sub-Saharan food security and climate resilience

March 5, 2026

Analysis of over three decades of satellite imagery and irrigation infrastructure investments shows how irrigation leads to significant and sustained increases in crop cultivation and reduces the impact of temperature shocks.Read more about Irrigation is central to sub-Saharan food security and climate resilience

How basic bacterial research led to a unique cancer therapy

March 4, 2026
Daniel Portnoy, a distinguished professor in PMB and MCB, and his colleagues have discovered a way to turn the Listeria bacteria into a potent immune booster—and a potential weapon against cancer.Read more about How basic bacterial research led to a unique cancer therapy

Breakthroughs Magazine: Burn, Learn, Repeat

March 2, 2026
UC Berkeley researchers are collaborating directly with policymakers and forest managers to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the landscape, studying new ways to mitigate wildfire while also using fire as a tool.Read more about Breakthroughs Magazine: Burn, Learn, Repeat

Does California actually need more fire?

February 26, 2026

Rausser College Dean David Ackerly explains why total fire suppression has backfired and why California needs to adopt controlled burns to restore balance to the ecosystem.Read more about Does California actually need more fire?

Berkeley researchers identify protein governing liver metabolism and nuclear organization

February 25, 2026
A collaborative team of UC Berkeley scientists has identified a previously unrecognized membrane-shaping protein that regulates whether fat is secreted or stored in liver cells.Read more about Berkeley researchers identify protein governing liver metabolism and nuclear organization

Helping wildlife navigate Wyoming's invisible walls

February 23, 2026

Beyond Yellowstone Research Director Kristin Barker and colleagues at the Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship spoke with Wyoming PBS about their collaborative work to improve migration corridors in the state.Read more about Helping wildlife navigate Wyoming's invisible walls