In 2025, University of California (UC) researchers achieved significant scientific milestones despite a challenging funding environment. Federal budget cuts and delays impacted many academic and government laboratories across the United States, but UC scientists continued to advance research in several fields.
Four UC faculty members were awarded Nobel Prizes this year, setting a new world record. Across all ten campuses, researchers contributed to progress in disease treatment, technology development, disaster safety strategies, and understanding both planetary and human history.
One major accomplishment was the launch of twin spacecraft from UC Berkeley for a mission to Mars. The Blue and Gold satellites will map Martian magnetic fields and study how the planet’s atmosphere responds to solar wind over the next three years. This project aims to provide data crucial for future human exploration of Mars and answer questions about the planet’s lost atmosphere. NASA funded this mission at a fraction of previous costs.
UC Irvine scientists addressed challenges in treating brain diseases by using CRISPR gene editing on microglia—immune cells in the brain—to deliver medicines across the blood-brain barrier. Robert Spitale, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UC Irvine, said: “This work opens the door to a completely new class of brain therapies. Instead of using synthetic drugs or viral vectors, we’re enlisting the brain’s immune cells as precision delivery vehicles.” The National Institutes of Health supported this research.
To combat misinformation spread by AI-generated videos, UC Riverside computer scientists developed UNITE (Universal Network for Identifying Tampered and synthEtic videos), a detection tool created with Google that analyzes entire video frames for signs of manipulation. Rohit Kundu, a Ph.D. student involved in the project, stated: “It’s scary how accessible these tools have become. Anyone with moderate skills can bypass safety filters and generate realistic videos of public figures saying things they never said.”
After devastating wildfires struck Los Angeles early in 2025, UCLA faculty led efforts to support recovery through real-time air quality monitoring and policy recommendations for resilient rebuilding. Researchers from UCLA, UC Davis, and UC Irvine are tracking long-term health impacts from pollutants released during the fires.
A collaborative effort between UC San Francisco and UC Davis resulted in a new drug that slowed progression in 35 percent of cats suffering from aggressive oral cancer during an NIH-funded trial. This drug also shows promise for human head and neck cancers.
At UC San Diego, marine biologist Daniel Wangpraseurt’s team developed a UV-activated gel that encourages coral larvae settlement on reefs—a breakthrough for coral restoration efforts as climate change threatens reef survival globally.
UC San Francisco researchers used advanced imaging techniques to challenge traditional views on female fertility decline with age. Professor Diana Laird explained: “This all points to a brand-new line of inquiry about how nerves, blood vessels, and other cell types communicate with eggs.” The findings could lead to new infertility treatments.
UC Santa Cruz archaeologists produced an isotope map using strontium signatures found in bones and teeth to help descendants of enslaved Africans trace their ancestry more precisely within Africa. Vicky Oelze led an international team compiling data from over 2,000 samples across sub-Saharan Africa.
Research at UC Merced linked increased dust storms in California’s Central Valley to land left fallow due to groundwater regulations introduced by state law aimed at preserving water resources. Professor Adeyemi Adebiyi noted that while these policies protect water supplies vital for California’s future needs, leaving land unplanted has unintended consequences such as worsening dust storms affecting local communities’ health.
Finally, engineers at UC Santa Barbara designed an improved intubation device intended for emergency responders working outside hospital settings. In tests funded by the National Science Foundation, experienced providers achieved rapid placement rates using this device compared to current methods.
University leaders continue advocating for federal investment in science research due its broad benefits for public health, security, economic growth—and continued innovation across American institutions.
