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The UCSF Community Newsletter



Illustration of a lit cigarette being held over an ash tray

Hidden Tobacco Danger Puts Kids, Adults at Risk


UCSF-led research has helped drive a new state law that classifies thirdhand smoke – toxic residue that lingers on surfaces for years – as an environmental hazard like lead or asbestos.


Learn why it matters »

Microscopy image of the gut lining

Do Hormones Explain Why Women Experience More Gut Pain?


Women are dramatically more likely than men to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic condition causing abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive discomfort.


Find out why »

Illustration of a clinician and another person looking at a large diagram of the human ribcage

A New Way to Diagnose Deadly Lung Infections, Save Lives


Deep brain stimulation combined with AI has led to a breakthrough by UCSF researchers in treating walking difficulties for Parkinson’s patients. The personalized approach results in improved gait without worsening other symptoms. 


Learn how it works »

An open tanning bed glows in a dark room

Indoor Tanning Makes Youthful Skin Much Older on a Genetic Level


Young tanning bed users develop more skin mutations than people twice their age, with cells showing genetic damage equivalent to individuals in their 70s and 80s.


Dive into the research »

Whats New

UCSF News Center

UCSF Honors Former UC President Drake in New Plaza at Mission Bay


UCSF School of Dentistry

UCSF Announces New Home for School of Dentistry at Mission Bay


UCSF School of Pharmacy

California Poison Control System Responds to Largest Poisonous Mushroom Cluster in Decades


UCSF School of Nursing

One Year After California Wildfires: A Nurse Reflects on Frontline Care

Social Spotlight

A swaddled newborn held by two parents.

Meet June, the first baby born at UCSF in 2026! 

Get the details on Instagram »

Experts in the News

Time Magazine

Is Giving Chat GPT Health Your Medical Records a Good Idea?


National Geographic

A Decades-Old Drug Is Helping People Drink Less Alcohol – Without Giving It Up Completely


New York Times

9 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health in 2026


San Francisco Chronicle

California and its Western Allies Reject CDC’s Scaled-Back Childhood Vaccine Guidance


KNTV

Her Life Was Saved by a Living Liver Donor, UCSF Says More Are Needed

Announcements

Chancellor Award Nominations Due Feb. 6: Nominate a deserving colleague for their extraordinary contributions to UCSF with the Chancellor Awards for Exceptional University Management, Exceptional University Service, and Public Service. Submit your nomination by Feb. 6 »


Career Wellness and Mobility Grants Available: UCSF and UCSF Health faculty and staff are invited to apply for a Career Wellness and Career Mobility Grant. The grants support ideas for career well-being and highlight the importance of career wellness, one of UCSF's seven pillars of wellness. Learn more and apply by Feb. 23 »


Canva Now Available at UCSF: UCSF faculty and staff can now get a discounted Canva Pro account ($115 per year), which comes pre-loaded with more than 60 UCSF branded templates and approved UCSF logos, fonts, colors, and patterns to make your work easy and brand compliant. If you are a UCSF student, your Canva account is free. Sign up for an account »


Educational Workshops on Antisemitism and Islamophobia on Campus: The Office of Opportunity and Outreach is expanding two educational workshops to all faculty and staff at UCSF:


Sustainability Award Nominations Now Open: The UCSF Advisory Committee on Sustainability is accepting nominations for the 2026 Sustainability Awards. The annual awards spotlight staff, students, residents, faculty, and teams for contributions to making UCSF a more sustainable place. Nominations are due on Jan. 30 »


Register for a Free Diabetes Prevention Program: UCSF’s Diabetes Prevention Program supports faculty and staff who have prediabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The yearlong, virtual program offers expert coaching, practical tools, and a supportive cohort to help you build sustainable habits around nutrition, physical activity, and stress management. The next cohort begins Jan. 26, with classes on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and apply »


Apply for the AMP Mentorship Program: The UCSF Administrative Management Professionals Mentorship Program pairs experienced UCSF managers from academic departments and units, central administration, and UCSF Health with staff seeking to learn more about management, leadership, and the University’s organizational culture. Apply to be a mentee by Feb. 28 »


Your Role in Protecting UCSF Data: Learn about the role you play in protecting UCSF’s institutional data. Then take the quiz. You could win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards. Read on »  


Respiratory Illness Guidance: Get return-to-work guidance during respiratory illness season through the UCSF Digital Screener. Click on the Digital Screener button to report your symptoms. Then, read the automated email sent to you and follow the return-to-work guidance. Learn more »

Upcoming Events

JAN

14

AI in Your Toolkit: Exploring AI Tools for Literature Searching

 

AMP Mentorship Program: Informational Brown Bag


JAN

15


Digital Accessibility Office Hours (every Thursday)


Gallery 190 Opening Reception: Carissa Potter

JAN

16

Maintaining Habits: Techniques to Reinforce Habits (Part 2)


JAN

20


2nd Annual UCSF Hillblom Brain Aging Center Symposium

 

7th Samuel Barondes Lecture in Biological Psychiatry

JAN

21

MLK Day Restorative Justice Community Circle

 

Staff Assembly General Meeting

JAN

22

E-waste Collection at Mission Bay

 

Craft Cleanout

 

Gladstone Neuroscience Formal Seminar: Neuropathy of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome

 

WIT@UCSF Tech Café: Design Your Destiny with a Canva Vision Board

JAN

27

From Mechanisms to Access: A Translational Program to Improve Outcomes for Youth with Eating Disorders

 

Culture, Positivity, and Health: Links, Mechanisms, and Future Interventions



Bay Area Open Science Group: UCSF Data Library with Gabi Fragiadakis

 

Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain (Author Talk and Book Signing)

JAN

28

E-waste Collection at Mission Bay Campus

 

Partnerships for Progress: Public Psychiatry in Action

 

Ringing in the New Year: Sound Bath Event

 

Innovations in AI: Mobile Microscopy and Machine Learning for Global Health

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

Deals and Discounts

Thrive City in San Francisco

Discounts at Thrive City. Members of the UCSF community can get a discount at various hospitality venues at Thrive City. Show your ID badge at Cupcakin’ Bake Shop, Senior Sisig, and Kayah by Burma Love to get the discount. Learn more »


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