Features: Above: Students at Stevenson College, pre-COVID-19, Photo by Nick Gonzales
UCSC iGEM team wins gold, nominated for best environmental project
By Rose Miyatsu
Thirteen undergraduates were recognized for their research accomplishments at the world’s largest competition in synthetic biology.
Alumni profiles:
Garima Desai: The Rhodes to success
College Nine ’20, environmental studies and economics
By Allison Arteaga-Soergel
Garima Desai made history in November, when she became UC Santa Cruz’s first Rhodes Scholarship winner. The awards were announced virtually, and Desai was named among the top 32 scholars from across the U.S. who will have all of their expenses paid to attend graduate school at Oxford University. There were more than 2,000 applicants to the program in 2020.
Darren Thompson: Coming full circle
Crown ’95, biochemistry and molecular biology
By Peggy Townsend
Darren Thompson, an accomplished chemist and student mentor, overcame a dark turn in his life with help from his determination, his Christian faith, and a UC Santa Cruz professor.