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The UCSF Community Newsletter



Chancellor Sam Hawgood presenting in an auditorium in front of a large screen

UCSF Chancellor Addresses How the Institution Can Ensure Its Continuum


Chancellor Sam Hawgood’s 2025 State of the University Address highlighted UCSF’s pivotal moment of growth and renewal. Drawing on futurist Ian Morrison’s “Second Curve” framework, he emphasized innovation, philanthropy, and infrastructure as key to navigating societal and technological shifts.



Watch the address »

Collage showing bacon ice cream nuts and coconut

Fatty Winter Snacks May Trick the Body into Packing on the Pounds


Fatty snacks – especially those with hydrogenated fats – can trick the body’s circadian clock into storing more fat during winter months, UCSF researchers have found. The findings could lead to new approaches for tackling obesity and type 2 diabetes.


Dive into the research »

A view of the back of a developing zebrafish with the heart shown in red.

UCSF Wins 7 Prestigious NIH Awards for High-Impact Work


Each year, the National Institutes of Health recognizes exceptionally promising research through its Common Fund. This year, seven UCSF scientists received these awards for work in cancer therapies, autism genetics, and more.


Meet the awardees »

Cup of coffee surrounded by coffee beans in the shape of a heart with a heartbeat line

Drink Up: Coffee is Safe for People with A-Fib


Researchers have found that drinking one cup of caffeinated coffee daily reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) by 39%. The trial challenges conventional advice for heart patients to avoid caffeine.


Look into the research »

Whats New

UCSF School of Medicine

Two UCSF Faculty Elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2025


UCSF School of Dentistry

22nd Annual Research and Clinical Excellence Day


UCSF School of Nursing

A New Vision for Breastfeeding Support in the U.S.

Social Spotlight

Group of volunteers hold science posters and a boy plays with a colorful engine.

UCSF recently hosted the Bay Area Science Festival at our Mission Bay campus. Thank you to the faculty, staff, and participants, who facilitated cool experiments, inspirational science, interactive games, and brought the power of wonder to families from across the Bay Area. Check it out on Facebook »

Experts in the News

The New York Times

Is Waking Up to Pee Normal? 


Science News

As Teens in Crisis Turn to AI Chatbots, Simulated Chats Highlight Risks


Time

What Happens to the Plastic in Single-Serve Coffee Pods?


KNTV

SFMOMA Gallery Features Work from Bay Area Artists Fighting Cancer

Announcements

Open Enrollment Ends Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.: Open Enrollment (OE) for faculty, staff, and UCSF Health employees ends on Friday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. Plan options and premiums are changing for 2026, including increased premiums for some plans. Take the time to review your options. You can view your individual premiums for 2026 by logging into UCPath and clicking the Enroll Now button in the Open Enrollment section. Local UCSF resources are available. Visit the UCSF OE website for details » 



Get Return-to-Work Guidance during Respiratory Illness Season: First, stay home when you’re sick. Then, take the UCSF Digital Screener, read the automated email sent to you, and follow the return-to-work guidance. Learn more on the Occupational Health Services website »


Don’t Miss the November Project One Town Hall. Join the Project One team on Friday, Nov. 14, at noon for the latest updates and resources on the Oracle Cloud implementation, which will affect Human Resources across all of UCSF, as well as Finance and Supply Chain for UCSF Health. Bring your questions and share your feedback to help shape the project’s future. Register today » 


Leaves of Absence Service Update: UCSF is expanding its partnership with Sedgwick, a recognized leader in leave administration, to include leaves of absence management for staff. Beginning Monday, Dec. 1, employees and leaders will use a new tool called MySedgwick (log in via MyAccess) to initiate your leave, track your leave progress, submit documents, ask questions, and more. Read about the changes »


Commemorate Native American Heritage Month: Join the Office of Diversity and Outreach in celebrating Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) at UCSF. Learn more and download virtual backgrounds »


IGHS at 25: Charting the Future of Global Health: Celebrate 25 years of the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences. The event recognizes and builds upon IGHS' commitment to cultivate a global community of changemakers, health professionals, and partners, advancing global health sciences and creating healthier communities across the globe. Check out the event » 


Get Support to Comply with Federal Digital Accessibility Rule: Under a Department of Justice rule under Title II of the ADA, all digital materials – including websites, web and mobile applications, digital documents (PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations), videos, audio, recordings, social media, and course content – must be accessible to people with disabilities. The deadline for compliance is Friday, April 24, 2026. Visit the Digital Accessibility Compliance Project website for tools and resources »


Applications Open for Radiologic Technologist Training and Leadership Academy: The new 18-month full-time diagnostic imaging training program will prepare UCSF staff and community members for one of the most in-demand careers in health care. The program begins June 2026 and will include coursework, exams, labs, and clinical experiences at UCSF, online, or at partner locations. Apply by Nov. 17 »

 

Register for the Step It Up Challenge 2025: UCSF’s annual Step It Up Challenge is back to help you stay active, connected, and energized through the holiday season. This year’s Snow Wonder theme invites you to track your daily movement and healthy eating habits from Monday, Nov. 17, to Friday, Dec. 12. Participate from anywhere, join a team, and finish the year strong. Register now »


Santa’s Swindle Workshop – Protect Yourself from Holiday Scams: Online shopping scams are on the rise, fueled by deepfake technology, phishing websites, and counterfeit goods. Learn how to safeguard your money, identity, and peace of mind this holiday season. Then enter to win one of five Amazon gift cards. Learn more and take the quiz » 

Upcoming Events

NOV

12

AI in Your Toolkit: A Discussion on the Environmental Impact of AI


Calendar Making at Parnassus Heights


Holding Space: A Community Discussion Series


Leveraging Microsoft Lists in your work at UCSF


UCSF Pain and Addiction Research Center Monthly Seminar

NOV

13


Genetic Counseling Awareness Day – Drop-in Office Hours


IGHS at 25: Charting the Future of Global Health


Digital Accessibility Office Hours – every Thursday


Bradley Cooper’s PBS “Caregiving” Documentary Screening & Discussion


Sage Workshop: Native American Health Alliance

NOV

14

Library Needlecraft Meetup


Repairing a Broken Chromosome: How We Learned What We Know

NOV

16


Sweat Lodge: Native American Health Alliance


Danceathon at Millberry Fitness Center Parnassus

NOV

17

Step It Up - 2025: Snow Wonder

NOV

18

Coffee & Science: Warming Up to a New Paradigm in Mental Health Treatment


Step It Up - 2025: Snow Wonder - Campus Walk - Mission Bay


Bay Area Open Science Group

NOV

19

E-Waste and Styrofoam Drop Off at Parnassus Heights


Calendar Making at Mission Bay


Fall 2025: True Selves LGBTQ+ Learner Support Group


Minority Stress and Teens: How Minority Stress Affects Mental Health


Staff Assembly General Meeting

NOV

20

Gratitude in Action: How a Daily Practice Can Change Your Brain


Transgender Day of Remembrance: Virtual Vigil & Lunch and Learn

NOV

24

Staff Appreciation Event at Zuckerberg San Francisco General

NOV

25

Step It Up - 2025: Snow Wonder - Campus Walk - Mount Zion

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

Deals and Discounts

Acrobats suspended in the air performing a symmetrical pose

Cirque du Soleil returns under the big top at Oracle Park: Get your tickets to Cirque du Soleil ECHO, which promises breathtaking visuals, daring acrobatics, and immersive storytelling. Save up to 20% off on select performances and seats. Discount available via the special UCSF link »

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