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The UCSF Community Newsletter



A lab worker prepares samples in a lab.

Solving Long COVID: How HIV Research Paved the Way


Applying lessons from decades of HIV studies, UCSF researchers are accelerating progress on diagnostics and therapies to understand and treat long COVID. 


Discover the connection »

A side-by-side photo showing headshots of the 2026 Bowes Award recipients Daniele Canzio and Balyn Zaro.

Two Researchers Named Bowes Biomedical Investigators


This year’s Bowes Biomedical Investigator Awardees uncovered how DNA folding could unlock neurological diseases and discovered how cancer co-opts immune cells allowing it to grow and spread.


Dive into the research »

Cartoon drawing of four friendly immune-system characters posed like a superhero team: a green germ detective holding a magnifying glass, a purple cell with a wrench and yellow hard hat, a blue medical cell with a red cross using a stethoscope, and a red armored cell with a shield, all against a radiant orange background.

Mythbuster: Is Your Immune System Smarter Than You Think?


From vaccine safety to childhood allergies, misunderstandings persist about how the immune system works. UCSF immunology experts debunk common myths and show how our bodies can adapt to potential germs and allergens.


Get the facts »

Larissa Thomas, professor of Clinical Medicine.

Meet the Physician Reimagining a Kinder, Gentler Medical Residency


A UCSF physician helped build one of the country’s first formal peer support leadership programs in graduate medical education, leading to reduced burnout for residents and improved connections with patients. 


Get to know Larissa Thomas »

Whats New

UCSF School of Pharmacy

Aashish Manglik Awarded Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise


UCSF Fresno

Community Health System Secures $9M Cellular and Gene Therapy Grant


UCSF Information Technology

Open AI’s ChatGPT Enterprise – February 2026 Launch

Social Spotlight

Two hands play a piano with the text "How Music Heals Us"

Can music change how the brain works? UCSF researcher Karen Barrett is showing that music isn’t just meaningful, it’s powerful. 


Watch it on Instagram »

Experts in the News

The New York Times

How Bad are AI Delusions? We Asked People Treating Them


NPR

Should Ultra-Processed Foods Be Off the Menu?

 

San Francisco Chronicle

‘No One Warned Us’: Toxic Mushroom Super Bloom Fuels California’s Largest Poisoning Outbreak

 

Hoodline

UCSF Expands Oakland Campus With New Hospital And Support Building


Announcements

Fostering Awareness Speaker Series: Faith & Representation — Antisemitism & Its Intersections: UCSF’s Office of Opportunity and Outreach is launching a new webinar series exploring how faith and representation intersect with societal systems and bias in learning and clinical environments. The first session, Feb. 12, focuses on antisemitism in clinical settings and broader society. Register now »

 

Attend UCSF’s AI and Education Symposium: Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping teaching, learning, and curriculum development across the health sciences at UCSF’s AI and Education Symposium on Feb. 27. Register today »


Recognize a Collaborative UCSF Health Team: The fourth annual PIPE Interprofessional Collaboration Award recognizes UCSF Health teams that demonstrate outstanding collaboration across health professions to improve clinical care or drive systems change. Nominate a team by Feb. 23 »

 

Who Decides? When Human Judgment Meets AI: On Feb. 25, join a live conversation moderated by UCSF Department of Medicine Chair Robert Wachter, MD. Fellow UCSF alumni will join him to discuss how AI is influencing decisions in drug development and patient care. Register on LinkedIn »

 

Research AI Day 2026 RSVP and Call for Posters: Join colleagues from across UCSF and UC Berkeley for the second annual Research AI Day on March 11 at the Mission Bay Conference Center. The event will feature a full day of talks, panels and presentations on the use of AI in biomedical and health sciences. Submit your proposed poster abstract by Feb. 27. RSVP for the event »

 

Learners Invited to Apply for Advocacy Workshop in DC: UCSF Community & Government Relations will sponsor four learners to attend the fully funded AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop in Washington, DC, April 12 through 15. Participants will learn how Congress works, how federal research funding is decided, and how to communicate science effectively. Apply by Feb. 27 »

 

Honoring Black History Month: Celebrate Black History Month at UCSF by participating in events that recognize the contributions, resilience, and creativity of Black communities across UCSF's learning and clinical environments. Download Zoom backgrounds here »


UCSF Wellbeing Summit 2026: The UCSF Wellbeing Summit is a three-day interactive experience from March 10 through March 12, focusing on UCSF's Seven Pillars of Wellness. Events will be offered at Mission Bay and Parnassus campuses. RSVP here »


Upcoming Events

FEB

11

AI in Your Toolkit: A Discussion on AI Trustworthiness


UC Love Data Week 2026

 

Valentine's Day Card Crafting


2026 UCSF Chancellor's Health Policy Lecture Featuring Robert Santos

FEB

11-12


COE 10.0: A Decade of Business Excellence

FEB

12

UCSF Town Hall

 

'Fostering Awareness: Antisemitism and Its Intersections' with Gregg Drinkwater, PhD


QBI’s The Night of Science – Fact, fiction and the future of Autism Spectrum Disorder Research


Invest in Cures San Francisco 2026



Bikes! at Casanova Lounge: Love Is in the (Bike) Lane

 

Digital Accessibility Office Hours (Thursdays)


Laughter Yoga (Thursdays)

FEB

13


Rare Disease Symposium 2026

FEB

17

BRCA and Hereditary Cancer Workshop - Helping Your Family Get Tested: Next Steps After a Positive Test Result

 

Stem Cell Seminar: The Stem Cell Zoo

FEB

18

E-waste and Styrofoam Collection at Parnassus Heights


Commute Smarter at UCSF: Options, Savings, and Support


Staff Assembly General Meeting

FEB

19

Vanpool Information Session #1


UCSF Alumni and Friends Reception in Fresno

FEB

21

Beyond the Price Tag: Fertility Preservation and Family Building Post-Transformative Therapy

FEB

23

"Walk With Me" Film Screening and Panel Conversation

FEB

24

Book & Game Swap with Bookmark Making

FEB

25

UCSF Community Beading Workshop

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

Deals and Discounts

People in a canoe on blue water

Get Outdoors, Get Your UCSF Rec Pass: UCSF faculty, staff, and learners can purchase discounted passes for access to more than 80 guided camping, backpacking, and lodging trips every year. The pass includes camping and backpacking gear, food, permits, firewood, and guides. Learn more »


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