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)
$48.6M
in new research funding
(2025)
11
research institutes and centers
(2026)
#16
Santa Cruz/Watsonville top 16 in research output in US
(National Bureau of Economic Research, 2025)
What’s trending
Discovering new insights into human brain development
Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Tal Sharf’s lab used brain organoids to find that early developing human brains are preconfigured with instructions for understanding the world. The discovery has important implications for diagnosing and treating developmental brain disorders.
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
- A new ranking demonstrates Banana Slugs’ software engineering career readiness
- The campus ranks among the top 10 public universities in the United States home to high-impact researchers, according to a recent analysis by Clarivate.
- Preet Karia built an AI-powered tool to turn physics notes into 3D visualizations.
- The research aims to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autism and schizophrenia and to identify drug targets for both conditions.
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, & complexity
Bayesian statistics
Communications, signals, & image processing
Database systems
Distributed systems
Mathematical modeling & numerical analysis
Networks
Programming languages
Real-time systems
Systems biology
