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College of Engineering News

Image of Roark Chao in the lab.

Feb 23, 2026
Developing Hair-width LEDs Could Replace Lasers

A UCSB doctoral student advised by Stephen DenBaars and Joh Schuller is helping to make it happen.

Source: The Current
Illustration of two locks surrounded by a glowing infinity sign.

Feb 18, 2026
Researcher Receives NSF Award to Study Quantum Cryptography

Computer science associate professor Prabhanjan Ananth will study the foundations of quantum computing as a cryptographic tool.

Image of researcher Asish Ninan Chacko standing in front of MRI in the Materials Research Laboratory at UC Santa Barbara

Feb 13, 2026
Giving MRIs the Power of Microscopes

UCSB researchers develop a genetic sensor that could allow MRIs to image molecular-level changes.

Image depicting the advantage of the carbon- and nitrogen-stable, telecom-ready CN Center (right) vs the "hydrogen fragile" T Center.

Feb 12, 2026
A Robust New Telecom Qubit in Silicon

Researchers in Chris Van de Walle’s group discover a more durable defect for quantum applications.

Ryan Berry (left) and Norleakvisoth Lim are presented with their awards by Manabu Ihara, director of the Institute of Science Tokyo's Academy of Energy and Informatics

Feb 05, 2026
UCSB PhD Students Earn Top Honors at International Energy And Informatics Forum
The chemical engineering PhD students were recognized for their presentations on catalysis and energy-efficient chemical processes. 
Image showing students and researchers working inside UCSB's Quantum Foundry.

Feb 02, 2026
Making an Impact: UCSB Remains Among the World’s Most Influential Research Universities

UCSB ranks among the top two U.S. public universities for scientific impact for a 15th consecutive year in The Leiden Rankings (Open Edition). 

An image of the ProFoldBio team after the New Venture Competition finals, standing on a deck next to the UC Santa Barbara lagoon

Jan 28, 2026
UCSB Startup Builds Software to Speed Drug Discovery

The platform enables a quicker path to viable treatments for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Poster for Agentic AI Summit at UCSB

Jan 22, 2026
Shaping the Next Frontier of AI: UCSB Hosts Inaugural Agentic AI Summit

Leading voices from industry and academia will address the future of agentic AI.

Jan 15, 2026
AI Powers New Research on Covert Attention

William Wang and colleagues find new neuron types tied to driving and other activities that involve shifting attention without shifting gaze. 

Source: The Current
Axel Palmstrom, a UC Santa Barbara graduate

Dec 11, 2025
UCSB Graduate Named One of the World’s Most Cited Researchers

Axel Palmstrom is among those recognized for important contributions in their fields of research.

An illustration of a highly precise chip-based magnetometer based on a special material that changes optical properties in response to a magnetic field

Dec 11, 2025
Chip-Scale Magnetometer Uses Light for High-Precision Magnetic Sensing

Based on a magneto-optic material, the precision magnetometer could enable light-weight and low-power sensing for space, navigation and medical applications

Photo of Shantal Adajian UCSB PhD candidate

Dec 02, 2025
Strain into Strength: A Doctoral Student’s Unique Journey

Shantal Adajian grew up amid war, scarcity, and uncertainty. Now she is pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara.

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