News Archive - Catherine Poland

10 Summer Beach Reads With a Social Justice Twist

Summer is here and whether you’re in San Diego in person or in spirit — hello ocean! — it’s time to come up with some fun books to read during your down time. What’s your guilty pleasure? Are you looking for Romance? Reflection? Queer joy? Or maybe even horror? We’ve got you covered.

The Class of 2026 Embraces a Future of Discovery

As graduates streamed onto RIMAC Field, cheers echoed across the crowd, cameras flashed and proud families settled into their seats. For members of the Class of 2026, the moment marked the culmination of years spent pursuing answers — and the beginning of new questions still to come.

6 Unexpected Ways UC San Diego Researchers are Studying Space

In addition to UC San Diego’s well-known ties to space — producing astronauts such as Jessica Meir and Kate Rubins, offering K-12 offerings from Sally Ride Science, and sending health research to space, to name but a few — researchers are conducting space-related research in unexpected ways.

Why Is Space So Fascinating?

We all tuned in when the Artemis II crew splashed down off the San Diego coast. Planetary scientist and academic leader Meenakshi Wadhwa shares her thoughts on why space captures our imaginations so well.

Meet the 2026 UC San Diego Chancellor’s Innovation Award Recipients

This year’s recipients are Carter Palmer PhD ’23 for his work with Third Element Bio and Daniel Wangpraseurt for his work with Hybrid Reefs.

Take 10 with a Triton: Liz Bradshaw on ArtPower and WOW

Liz Bradshaw, the director of artistic programs for ArtPower at UC San Diego, shares her thoughts on ArtPower and the 2026 WOW Festival.

Is Wilderness Orientation the Ultimate Digital Detox?

Now in its 35th year and available to all incoming students, Wilderness Orientation offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to discover the strength within yourself, ready yourself for college and immerse yourself in nature with your fellow new students.