Mary Zavanelli Fund for Health Science Research
Supporting undergraduate research in the health sciences

Match Opportunity: Daniel Costa and Lou and Leslie Grate are generously matching all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $5,200.


Meaningful research opportunities for undergraduates have a tremendous impact on academic success and future careers in biomedical sciences.


The Mary Zavanelli Endowment provides full summer support for undergraduates doing independent research projects. This support allows the students to focus full time on developing their projects and their research skills—both of which can help them get jobs and enter graduate programs once they achieve their degrees.


This fund was established in honor of Mary Zavanelli, a beloved lecturer in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2013 and passed away on February 18, 2017. Mary received her Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz in 1991, working with Professor Manny Ares on RNA splicing. In 1995, she became a lecturer on campus and taught many different courses, including highly popular courses in female physiology and the biology of AIDS. She was also an exceptional athlete and competed in numerous Ironman triathlons. Mary’s love of biology, her commitment to teaching, and her perseverance in facing ALS have been an inspiration for students and colleagues alike.


From her teaching experiences at UCSC, Mary knew that meaningful research opportunities for undergraduates are hard to find and yet can have a tremendous impact on students, helping them persist in challenging science majors and attain career success.  


Your gift today to the Mary Zavanelli fund continues her wish to provide undergraduate research opportunities to students in the health sciences.

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Afternoon Surprise
*Surprise!* Rush in before others find out. The top two teams with the highest number of donors between 3pm and 4pm will receive challenge funds awarded to their projects. Funds were generously sponsored by Molly Sims, Executive Director of Individual Giving. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 Rocket Team 49
2 $500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 44
3 Okinawa Memories Initiative 31
4 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 17
5 Slugbotics 15
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Final Frenzy
The top three teams with the highest number of donors will receive additional funds awarded to their projects. Generously sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation. First place is $7,500. Second place is $2,500. Third place is $1,000.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $7,500 Physical & Biological Sciences 1,153
2 $2,500 All Giving Day Projects 1,062
3 $1,000 Athletics & Recreation 514
4 Humanities Division 444
5 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 382
Ended
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Late Night Rush
This is the finish line! Close out this Giving Day strong and help position your favorite team to win the last challenge of the day. The top two teams with the highest number of new gifts between the hours of 10pm and 11:59pm (PST) will receive additional funds awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by Byron and Etsuko Walker First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 79
2 $500 Okinawa Memories Initiative 66
3 Formula Slug 20
4 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 17
5 Women in Physics and Astronomy (WiPA) 14
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2
Match
Mary Zavanelli Fund for Health Science Research - MATCH
Daniel Costa and Lou and Leslie Grate are generously matching all Mary Zavanelli Fund for Health Science Research donations, dollar for dollar, up to $5,200. The more you are able to donate, the further your donation goes!
$5,200 MATCHED
Completed
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Early Riser
The top two teams with the most new gifts made during the hours of 7am and 9am (PST) will be rewarded with additional challenge funds to their project. Generously sponsored by Professor John MacMillan, Interim Vice Chancellor of Research. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative 40
2 $500 Tech4Good 33
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 17
4 Friends of the Dickens Project 10
5 NCAA Cross Country Track & Field 9
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Kick Off
Start Giving Day off on the right foot. The top two teams with the highest number of gifts between 12am and 1am (PST) will receive additional challenge dollars awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor and Meg Corman. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $1,000 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 30
2 $500 Grupo Folklorico Los Mejicas de UCSC 17
3 Okinawa Memories Initiative 15
4 Triathlon Team - Triathletes on Bikes! 11
5 Tech4Good 10
Ended
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Mad Dash
*Surprise again!* Hurry to make your gifts and secure extra funds before others find out. The top two teams with the highest number of donors made between the hours of 6pm and 8pm will receive additional funds awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor and Herbie Lee, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative 100
2 $500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 74
3 City on a Hill Press 40
4 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 29
5 Matchbox Magazine 28
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Mid-Day Motivator
The top three teams with the highest number of gifts between the hours of 12pm and 2 pm (PST) will have challenge funds awarded to their projects. Generously sponsored by UCSC Foundation Trustee, Linda Peterson. First place is $2,500. Second place is $1,500. Third place is $1,000.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $2,500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 74
2 $1,500 Adventure Rec Student Leadership and Development 62
3 $1,000 City on a Hill Press 55
4 Okinawa Memories Initiative 50
5 Tech4Good 38
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Rank State Gifts
1 CA 12
2 NC 1
2 PA 1
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