The UCSF Community Newsletter

A Year Like No Other: The Stories and Images You Loved in 2024

It’s been an incredible year at UCSF. You’ve led the way in research, education and patient care. You’ve celebrated innovation and discovery. You’ve broken ground on projects that will last generations. In the end, we advanced our mission together.

Look back at 2024 »

The Surprising Effect of Stress on Your Brain

Some people bounce back from trauma. Others get caught in loops that sap the joy from their lives. UCSF scientists are learning how the brain creates these experiences, hoping to find a way to treat those who struggle with the long-lasting symptoms of stress.

Explore the impact of stress »

UCSF’s Largest Rooftop Gardens Undergo Vibrant Year-Long Transformation

Something is blooming above UCSF’s Parnassus Heights campus – atop the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, specifically. That’s where roughly 17,000 square feet of green space has recently undergone a year-long transformation from commonplace fescue grass to meadow-like tranquility. 

See the stunning images »

UCSF’s Dan Bernal Honored for Lifetime of HIV/AIDS Service

The National AIDS Memorial has honored Dan Bernal, UCSF vice chancellor for community and government relations, for his lifelong contributions to health equity and community service through HIV activism and advocacy.

Celebrate Dan’s honor »

Molecular Zip Code Draws Killer T Cells to Brain Tumors

UCSF scientists have developed a “molecular GPS” to guide immune cells into the brain and kill tumors without harming healthy tissue. It’s one of two breakthroughs by Wendell Lim, PhD, UCSF professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology, featured on the cover of the latest issue of Science magazine.

Learn about Wendell’s research »

Experts in the News

U.S. News & World Report

Drinking Lots of Water Really Is Good for You

The New Yorker

Is Contraception Under Attack?

NBC News

Why Abortions Rose After Roe Was Overturned

Telemundo Bay Area

Latinos Son Más Propensos de Sufrir la Enfermedad de Hígado Graso

KCBS

Too Much Screen Time Linked with Poor Heart Health

Social Spotlight

Congratulations to the UCSF Health Cardiac Surgery team on their first Total Artificial Heart procedure! Total Artificial Heart is a device that temporarily supports function on both sides of the heart while patients with heart failure wait for a heart transplant.

Celebrate the accomplishment on LinkedIn »

Announcements

Pulse Taking a Holiday Break: The Pulse newsletter is on hiatus for the remainder of 2024, returning to your inbox in the New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Thank you for reading! Enjoy past Pulse newsletters »

Speak Up and Spark Change: The 2025 Community Climate Survey will launch on Wednesday, Jan. 8. This is the only survey that gathers feedback from everyone at UCSF and UCSF Health and will help us continue our efforts to make UCSF a welcoming, safe and healthy place to work and learn. Your voice matters. Explore the upcoming Community Climate Survey and learn more about past surveys »

UCSF Staff Appreciation Events: All UCSF staff are invited to attend one of several Staff Appreciation Events throughout the month. Mark your calendar »

47 UCSF Researchers Honored for High-Impact Science: Nearly 50 UC San Francisco researchers have been named to Clarivate’s list of most influential scientists for 2024. The ranking is based on journal article citations from the last decade, starting with researchers whose publications ranked in the top 1%. See who made the list »

New Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Training: UCSF and UCSF Health have launched a new employee training initiative to build awareness around indoor heat illness prevention, part of an ongoing response to the Bay Area’s increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures. Compliance is due 90 days after you receive notification to take the training from UCSF Learning Center (training@ucsf.edu). Learn more »

Recap the Year at the Latest Town Hall: Celebrate breakthroughs featured on the cover of Science magazine by Wendell Lim, PhD, at the most recent Town Hall. Also, learn about social drivers of health, get updates on construction projects at Parnassus Heights, see what you may have missed from State of the University 2024 and enjoy Health News You Can Use with Peter Chin-Hong, MD. Watch it here »

New Versa Assistants Added: Versa Chat has launched three newly developed Assistants now available to all UCSF users, including a UCSF AI Resources Assistant, SPOKE Knowledge Graph Assistant, and Data and Policy Assistant. Learn about the new VERSA assistants »

Library Winter Closure: The Kalmanovitz Library at Parnassus Heights and the FAMRI Library at Mission Bay will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Both libraries will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2 to UCSF ID badge holders. Both the Hearst Room at Parnassus Heights (student-only space) and The Hub at Mission Hall are accessible 24/7 with a UCSF ID badge. View all hours »

50 Years of UCSF’s Committee on the Status of Women: The UCSF Committee on the Status of Women celebrated a major milestone and their transformational legacy this past year. The group has created and catalyzed many initiatives to help UCSF become an employer of choice for women today. Celebrate their legacy »

Last Chance to Join the Step It Up Holiday Wellness Challenge: Registration for the Step It Up holiday wellness challenge ends on Monday, Dec. 16, with opportunities to win weekly prizes still in play. Join Team UCSF or make a team with your colleagues. The challenge runs through Sunday, December 22. Sign up before the deadline »

Support Group for Caregivers of Older Loved Ones: Starting in January 2025, join a virtual support group for caregivers of older loved ones. Participation is free for all UCSF employees and learners. Connect with a community of caregivers »

Upcoming Events

Visit the UCSF Events Calendar to submit events and see what’s happening.

Deals and Discounts

UCSF Warriors Ticket Deal: Be at Chase Center as Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors face the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls in January. This exclusive discount is available to all UCSF employees and is already factored into the price with no additional fees and taxes. Limited seats have just been released for all three games! Get your tickets now before they're gone »

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