UC Merced Magazine | Volume XIX, Issue VII

ON THE COVER: $ &$/ ),5( SODQH GURSV ȰUH UHWDUGDQW RQ ZLOGȰUHV LQ /RV $QJHOHV

MAGAZINE

Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor/ &KLHI ([WHUQDO 5HODWLRQV 2IȰFHU E. Edw. Klotzbier Assistant Vice Chancellor and Senior Advisor, External Relations Danielle Armedilla Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications, Marketing and Public Relations Josh Morgan Spring/Summer 2025 Volume XIX, Issue 7

In is Issue:

4

Donor Impact: Endowed chairs play an important role in research Opinion: Medical education is a winning investment for Valley Three Essential Reads: Cognitive psychology and neuroscience illuminated

7

Paloma Ramirez, page 38

Editor Senior Writer and Public ,QIRUPDWLRQ 2IȰFHU Lorena Anderson

19

Alumni Spotlight: Marissa Lucas making her mark in the marketing world Cover Story: UC Merced fire research in the national spotlight Health Care Desert: Valley’s lack of medical care hits home in rural areas Farmworker Health: Study continues to have far-reaching impact Summer Bridge: Graduate programs make advanced degrees more accessible and attainable Sports: Championship season for men’s and women’s teams Athlete Profile: Paloma Ramirez shoots for the WNBA

8

Writers

Seth Allen Francesca Dinglasan Patty Guerra

22

Alyssa Johansen Andrew Mitchell

Jody Murray Brenda Ortiz Sam Yniguez

27

Photographers Veronica Adrover Melvin Diaz Alfaro CAL FIRE

30

Eric Cendejas Jeff Livingston Merced County Zachary Silva

Graphics / Design / Printing Colemar Design Dumont Printing, Fresno Thomas Hudelson Elizabeth Lippincott

33

Marissa Lucas, page 19

9

The Road To R1: From day one, a focus on research excellence Alumni Notes: Catch up with Bobcats post-graduation

Mailing Address UC Merced External Relations

5200 N. Lake Road Merced CA 95343

36 38

ucmerced.edu | @ucmerced

16

Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders of any material printed in this magazine. Any omissions will be righted in subsequent issues if notice is given to the editors.

3

UC MERCED MAGAZINE // ucmerced.edu