UCSF Health

2026 Byers Award recipient Rushika Perera's research is changing how scientists understand pancreatic cancer — and could lead to powerful new therapies. Her advice? "Don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions and to take that leap of faith." ucsfh.org/4tOQzFt

A wave of stomach and respiratory viruses is surging in the Bay Area, with SF seeing especially high levels in wastewater. To help defend against the onslaught, experts recommend handwashing and staying up to date with vaccinations. ucsfh.org/48nvVUb

More than 150,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. likely went unrecognized in 2020 and 2021, a @Stanford/UCSF study finds. Researchers found that communities in areas most affected by the pandemic also had the highest number of unrecognized COVID-19 deaths. ucsfh.org/4cMTmYr

Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, San Francisco native and Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway plans to begin treatment as soon as possible. “I am optimistic about my prognosis… I never back down from a fight,” he says. ucsfh.org/3QpHIv3

New heart health guidelines emphasize earlier detection and screening. “That’s not so much a change" as a reflection of the reality that plaque formation "isn’t an overnight process,” Dr. Ramzi Dudum tells @sfchronicle. “It develops over time.” ucsfh.org/4vynIq3

Many people are unprepared for complex healthcare decisions. Our PREPARE for Your Care program supports advance care planning by providing patients, caregivers, and clinicians with simple tools to discuss and document medical preferences. Learn more: ucsfh.org/4918lwD

Scientists have transformed type 1 diabetes research, including breakthrough therapy that can delay the disease. Now, researchers have their sights set on a functional cure. "We’re making progress on all fronts," Dr. Mark Anderson says. ucsfh.org/41KIbu9

A UCSF trial aims to retrain HIV patients' immune systems to keep the virus at bay without medication and has shown promising results. “We haven’t quite made it to the promised land," Dr. Steven Deeks tells @SFGate. "We’re getting close." ucsfh.org/4cqO4S1

Since our liver transplant program's founding in 1988, we have given 5,000+ patients with advanced liver disease the chance for a longer, more active life — with 193 liver transplants performed at UCSF in 2025 alone. ucsfh.org/3Q8Tg5K

🍄 Psychedelic research is having a (groovy!) moment, with studies showing compounds like psilocybin—the chemical behind “magic” mushrooms—could reshape brain activity and help treat depression, Parkinson’s symptoms and addiction. ucsfh.org/4t7nHI5

HER2 and HER3 protein receptors usually help cells function normally. However, when paired together they can become toxic, fueling breast cancer. @UCSF 2026 Grad Slam winner Brandon Courteau aims to uncover how the interactions become harmful: ucsfh.org/4dL6csk

Anxiety can keep you up at night, and engaging with stressful content before bed doesn’t help, Dr. Aric Prather tells @nytimes. He suggests setting a social media & news curfew an hour or two before bedtime & winding down with restful activities instead. ucsfh.org/4vzMxCc

Researchers mapped the complex cell network connecting mom & fetus, discovering a new cell type that could influence pregnancy outcomes & complications like preeclampsia. “This work gives us a much clearer picture of this critical region than ever before.” ucsfh.org/4c5NJFK

Aging lungs can overreact to infections like COVID & flu, summoning immune cells that harm tissue rather than heal it. The discovery could pave the way for treatments that stop dangerous inflammation before it becomes life-threatening, Dr. Tien Peng says. ucsfh.org/4cCCtjd

‼️In our Surgical Skills Lab, precision is coached—movement by movement, in real time. This is how we train the next generation of surgeons. Featuring @UCSFGSResidency Resident Dr. Alan Zambeli-Ljepović & @UCSFSkillsLab Director Dr. Hueylan Chern.

After losing his daughter to early-onset colorectal cancer, Allen Rush discovered he carries a common but often undiagnosed mutation that sharply raises cancer risk. Now, a cancer prevention trial is helping him turn loss into action. ucsfh.org/4vjD0im

A UCSF-led program helped ~5,000 people control high blood pressure, averting an estimated 72 strokes, 48 heart attacks and 38 deaths. “These are real Californians who didn’t end up in an emergency room, didn’t have a disability," Dr. Sandeep Kishore says. ucsfh.org/4bMZpwS

"Red tides" (harmful algal blooms) inspired Hitchcock's iconic film "The Birds." Now climate change is increasing their risk to humans and marine life. Learn how a new @UCSF/@UNESCO partnership will study the phenomenon: ucsfh.org/4sm2JEe

Scientists have developed a new gel that shapes mini lab-grown organs — a step toward one day developing replacement organ tissue for humans. "The goal is to reach a stage where an organ begins to build itself,” UCSF's Zev Gartner says. ucsfh.org/4vc7Rx9

Last week, our neurosurgery residents spent the day at a hands-on teaching workshop dedicated to micro-suturing techniques. This annual workshop helps them practice essential skills for nerve repair and bypass surgeries. (1/2)