Discovery · Innovation · Impact

Research at PCC

We don't just teach knowledge — we create it. Our faculty and students tackle real-world problems through interdisciplinary research that spans disciplines and borders.

Home/Research
$28M
Annual Research Funding
15
Research Centers
400+
Publications Per Year
600+
Undergrad Researchers
Where Discovery Happens

Research Centers & Institutes

Sustainability Research Center

Our flagship center addresses climate change, renewable energy, and environmental policy. Home to the West Coast Climate Modeling Lab and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.

Institute for AI & Data Science

Advancing machine learning, natural language processing, and ethical AI. Partners with tech industry leaders and government agencies on applied research.

Global Health Institute

Working to reduce health disparities worldwide through epidemiological research, health systems innovation, and community-based interventions.

Center for Entrepreneurship

Supports student and faculty startups with mentorship, seed funding, and incubator space. PCC-affiliated startups have raised over $50M in venture capital.

Clean Energy Lab

Developing next-generation solar, battery, and hydrogen technologies in partnership with the School of Engineering and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Behavioral Sciences Lab

Investigating human decision-making, social behavior, and mental health through experimental psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics.

Undergraduate Research

Students in the Lab, Not Just the Lecture Hall

Research isn't just for graduate students at PCC. From their first year, undergraduates can join faculty labs, assist with fieldwork, co-author papers, and present at national conferences. Our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) funds 100+ students each year to work full-time on research projects.

  • First-year research immersion programs
  • Faculty-mentored independent study
  • Annual PCC Research Symposium
  • Travel grants for conference presentations
  • Co-authorship opportunities in peer-reviewed journals
Student Research
Strategic Focus

Areas of Research Excellence

Climate & Sustainability

From ocean acidification to carbon capture, from sustainable agriculture to urban resilience — PCC researchers are on the front lines of the climate challenge.

Artificial Intelligence

Deep learning, computer vision, NLP, and AI ethics. We build the tools of tomorrow while asking the hard questions about how they should be used.

Biomedical & Health Sciences

Cancer biology, neuroscience, rehabilitation sciences, public health, and health informatics — translating lab discoveries into patient outcomes.

Business & Policy Innovation

Evidence-based research on markets, organizations, and public policy — connecting academic rigor with real-world decision-making.

Partner With Us

Interested in research collaboration, commercialization, or supporting PCC research? We'd love to talk.

Contact Research Office