[Ucrfacultyandstaff] Chancellor’s Update—April 2026

[UCR Chancellor]

Dear Colleagues,


At UC Riverside, research is central to our mission—and it is a shared
effort. Every day, our faculty and students contribute to scholarship and
discovery with global impact—whether placing a sample under a microscope,
testing a new system, recording results, or supporting the work behind the
scenes. Often, that work rises to a level that captures wider
attention—advancing knowledge in ways that are both significant and
inspiring.



Here are just a few of the latest research *headlines appearing in major
media outlets* in the last few months.



*Nvidia says its new AI chips won't require as much AC*
<https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/01/07/new-ai-chips-will-need-less-cooling-says-nvidia-ceo>
(Marketplace/NPR)

UCR AI researcher Shaolei Ren talks with NPR's Marketplace about the
benefits of next-generation chips that require less cooling.



*These charcoal-eating fungi flourish after fires. Uncovering their genetic
secrets could help rebuild burned ecosystems*
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-charcoal-eating-fungi-flourish-after-fires-uncovering-their-genetic-secrets-could-help-rebuild-burned-ecosystems-180988336/>
(Smithsonian Magazine).

Sydney Glassman, a microbial ecologist at UCR, uncovers genetic secrets
that allow some fungi to thrive in wildfire-ravaged areas when everything
else dies off. These secrets could help burned areas recover.



*Scientists warn against breathing in secondhand vape ‘smoke’*
<https://www.newsweek.com/scientists-warn-against-breathing-secondhand-vape-smoke-11458126>
(Newsweek)

Researchers including UC Riverside environmental scientist Ying-Hsuan Lin
found that aged vape aerosols contain fine particles bearing metals and
highly reactive compounds that have the potential to damage lung tissues.


*Writer’s Week returns for its 49th year*

Experimentation in the arts takes center stage as California’s
longest-running free literary festival, UCR Writers Week, returns May 5–8.
Nationally recognized authors and emerging voices gather for readings and
conversations that advance creative work, guided by the same spirit of
inquiry that drives research across the university. More information is
available on the Writer’s Week website <https://writersweek.ucr.edu/>.



*Student researchers win national recognition*

Two UCR students have earned national recognition for their research
contributions.



This year, Sreenidhi Surineni became UC Riverside’s first Marshall
Scholar—one of 43 selected nationwide for the prestigious scholarship. The
Marshall Scholarship awards American students up to three years of fully
funded graduate study in any field at a university in the United Kingdom. A
neuroscience major studying Alzheimer’s disease, Surineni is developing
technologies to improve patient care while expanding access to innovation.
Beginning in Fall 2026, he will pursue two master’s degrees at Imperial
College London—a Master of Research (MRes) in neurotechnology and a Master
of Science (MSc) in medical device design and entrepreneurship.



Inchara Jagadeesh, a physics and astronomy major, was named a Goldwater
Scholar, one of the nation’s top honors for undergraduate researchers in
STEM. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in cosmology and contribute to
international telescope collaborations studying the formation and evolution
of the universe.



Congratulations to the students as well as the faculty and staff who have
supported these students during their UCR journey.



*New ways to learn more*

The UCR News website <https://news.ucr.edu/> and the weekly newsletters UCR
Life and Inside UCR are several ways research articles are delivered on
campus and to our broader UCR community.



But we also have exciting new ways to learn about the research work
occurring here. Jules Bernstein, a senior public information officer, hosts
two podcasts and a new monthly community event highlighting a UCR
researcher.



*Can I Bug You?* is a twice-monthly deep dive into the sometimes creepy but
mostly fascinating world of insects with one of the world's foremost
experts on the topic, UC Riverside entomologist Dr. Doug Yanega. From gifts
of love to the threat of extinction, listeners can learn about the big
world of small things and why UCR has one of the best entomology programs
in the world. (Link to “Can I Bug You?” episodes
<https://open.spotify.com/show/3pGKanGqAUQGtghMiuc3tq>)



The newest podcast, *Snackademic*, is dedicated to UC Riverside food
research - how food is made, what it does to our bodies, and how it impacts
our world. (Link to Snackademic episodes
<https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/can-i-bug-you6/episodes/Ep--3-Doctor-Avocado-e3hhguu>).
Launched in January, the first three episodes addressed the dangers of
soybean oil, a deep dive into fat, and making a better avocado.



And a few months ago, Bernstein launched *“Sip with a Scientist,”* a
monthly event series where one UCR researcher shares information about
their work with community members. In January, Professor Stephen Kane,
wowed the audience with his knowledge of planetary astrophysics. In
February, entomologist Professor Barbara Baer-Imhoof shared the buzz on the
language of honey bees. And, in March, Professor Adler Dillman talked about
a possible weapon in fighting auto-immune diseases. Worms.



Sip with a Scientist occurs on the last Monday of the month at a community
venue. The next event on April 27
<https://events.ucr.edu/event/sip-with-a-scientist-9715> at Bar Ni Modo
will feature Dr. Tracy Kahn, who will share insights from the Givaudan
Citrus Variety Collection.


*Industry Partnerships to support research and students*

Research at scale requires collaboration. Working with industry partners
helps us translate research into real-world applications, creates
opportunities for students, and helps strengthen our regional economy when
collaboration becomes a path to commercialization.


One example of how we can create partnerships with industry took place on
April 15 when executives from Esri were on campus for workshops and a
public lecture. Esri Founder and President Jack Dangermond spoke about the
science of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and his experience as an
entrepreneur.


*Commencement*

In less than two months, many of our current students will cross the stage
to become graduates, teachers, masters, and doctors. Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees and teaching credentials will be conferred at the Toyota
Arena on Monday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 16, organized by school or
college. The School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony and the Graduate
Division Hooding Ceremony will take place at the UCR Student Recreation
Center on June 6 and June 7, respectively.



You’ll find more details including times of ceremonies on this link to a
webpage for graduation 2026 <https://commencement.ucr.edu/>.



I look forward to congratulating our graduates and welcome them to the UCR
alumni association.


Sincerely,


S. Jack Hu, Ph.D.

Chancellor
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