UC Merced Viewbook - page 4

y An internet-based system to help students discover resources for research
projects, saving time and enhancing student success.
y Inexpensive biomaterials for neural engineering that provide a safe platform
for stem cells to attach, thrive and multiply to regenerate damaged or
lost tissues.
y Highly potent HIV entry inhibitors and a potential topical solution
component to prevent the spread of HIV.
y An inexpensive nanoparticle-based expectorant, which may be an effective
and economical alternative to current over-the-counter decongestants.
y A solar-power system that simultaneously offers air conditioning, water
heating and power generation.
y Numerous low-cost, effective methods to collect solar energy and maximize
the efficiency of solar cells.
Research Opportunities
A Research University Founded on the
Principles of Academic Excellence
UC Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research
Institute operates three facilities that
support research activities in the Central
Valley and Sierra Nevada regions. The
Environmental Analytical Laboratory (EAL)
is a centralized facility for the analysis of
a wide variety of environmental materials.
The Wawona Field Station is the first curi-
osity-driven research institute in Yosemite
National Park. The Sequoia Field Station
in Wolverton is developing in partnership
with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National
Parks and Delaware North Corporation,
and supports multi-institutional, interdisci-
plinary research.
Faculty, researchers and students in the
Sierra Nevada Research Institute conduct
basic and applied research on issues such
as rapid population growth, competition
for natural resources, air, water and soil
pollution, climate change and competing
land uses. UC Merced enables these stu-
dents to use the San Joaquin Valley and the
Sierra Nevada as their outdoor laboratory.
UC Merced is also home to the Health
Sciences Research Institute, the Merced
Energy Research Institute and the
Biomedical Sciences Research Institute,
which forms the foundation for our
planned medical school.
Research Institutes
What is a research university?
A research university is a place where some of the world’s foremost scholars
team up with students to focus on creating new products and technologies
that will improve our daily lives. They collaborate to solve some of society’s
most pressing issues, from disease to global warming, and everything in
between. In the eight years since opening, UC Merced has patented 85
inventions, some of which include:
4 | UC MERCED VIEWBOOK
Headquartered at UC Merced, the University of California
Advanced Solar Technologies Institute (UC Solar) creates
technologies that make solar energy systems more efficient and
more affordable. In addition, UC Solar helps educate and develop
tomorrow’s solar energy leaders and entrepreneurs. allowfullscreen
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