A week in UC student news
October 15, 2026 at 2:00 pm
UC Berkeley freshman discovers three dwarf galaxies
UC Berkeley first-year astrophysics major Julian Shapiro reported discovering three dwarf galaxies in his solo-authored study published Oct. 6.
Shapiro reported finding small isolated galaxies that have stopped forming stars, a phenomenon which is extremely rare as gas is a fuel needed to create new stars. While isolated galaxies can create stars, those positioned close to giant galaxies are drained of their star-forming gas. However, the galaxies Shapiro discovered are both isolated and have stopped making stars.
According to the Daily Californian, Shapiro argued that these dwarf galaxies were once flung past their giant neighbor galaxy and that stripped away the smaller galaxies’ gas.
Shapiro is currently working with UC Berkeley’s Distinguished Professor of Astronomy Alex Filippenko in trying to resolve the “Hubble tension.” While the majority of his research is independent, he credits his high school teacher Ryan Brennan for mentoring him in the code and physics used in his research.
Shapiro was recently awarded $25,000 from the 2026 Davidson Fellowship for his research. Last year he won the National Young Astronomer award, and at 15, he became the youngest discoverer of new planetary nebulae and supernova remnants.
UC Los Angeles students walkout against sexual assault
Hundreds of UC Los Angeles students participated in a national walkout against sexual assault alongside over 200 campuses on Oct. 8.
The national walkout was organized after an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in October 2024, which recently came to light after a former student, Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The accused men faced a variety of consequences; some were expelled and suspended while others only had to complete sexual assault prevention training and write reflective essays.
The organizers of UCLA’s walkout outlined a list of demands that included a review of UCLA and the University of California Police Department’s p0licies for reporting and investigating sexual assault and harrassment. They also called for an additional sexual harassment training for fraternities, increased funding for the Campus Assault Resources and Education program, among others.
Governor Newsom’s executive order accelerates independent AI oversight, creates kill switch
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that directs the California Government Operations Agency to work with experts to develop recommendations for artificial intelligence (AI) safety legislation by Nov. 16.
The executive order lists four requirements for the safety legislation, which includes the requirement that all large frontier developers embed designated independent verification organizations on site to conduct periodic audits and evaluations. It also requires that the safety frameworks AI companies are required to file be independently verified. It asks for an updated definition of critical safety incidents to include a range of “loss-of-control” incidents.
Additionally, the order requires the creation of a “kill switch” for frontier models, with the efficacy of the switch verified on an ongoing basis by an independent verification organization.
According to Newsom, this order comes after inaction from the federal government in regulating AI development.
“WHEREAS, absent federal action—which unfortunately is not forthcoming due to a failure of leadership by the President and Congressional leaders—California will continue to lead by taking action to swiftly implement our existing laws around AI security and risks and develop a roadmap for further strengthening our nation-leading laws to respond to these newly emerging risks,” the order states.
A version of this article appeared on p. 2 of the Oct. 15 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
