June 5, 2025
Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
When KJ Muldoon was just one week old, his doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia diagnosed him with a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder that prevented him from breaking down the proteins in his food. If he survived, he would have severe mental and developmental delays and require a liver transplant.
Two weeks ago, KJ, who turns 1 in August, made history as the first human to receive a personalized therapy created to fix his precise mutation. His doctors say he is now growing well and thriving.
KJ’s treatment was produced using CRISPR — a gene-editing platform discovered at UC Berkeley by Jennifer Doudna, who shared the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this transformational technology. Just as a spell checker would catch the misspelling of Burkeley, CRISPR targets the exact DNA letter in a sequence (A, T, G, or C) where an abnormality occurs and corrects it. It took only six months to move from KJ’s diagnosis to treatment. “The ability to develop an on-demand CRISPR therapy in such a short time opens up a new era for treating previously untreatable genetic diseases,” said Jennifer.
An uncertain future
Research endeavors like Jennifer’s — and their far-reaching impacts — are now facing an uncertain future. Many unpredictable and fast-moving federal actions are threatening to undermine the very foundations upon which America’s universities were built: vital funding to advance research; open doors to the world’s brightest minds; and the freedom to explore, discover, and invent.
At Berkeley, the harmful effects of these federal actions include the elimination of some research grants and an unknown future for international, undocumented, and other student communities. Our community is deeply concerned, and our public mission has been challenged.
Every one of us has access to a better life because of Berkeley researchers. Progress to understand the roots of — and cures for — diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Tools to revolutionize the technology we use every day, and to keep us safe from cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft. Innovations to expand our energy options, and to build resilience in the face of disaster. Solutions to ensure clean water, healthy food, and affordable housing for all.
The federal government has been a crucial partner in these advancements for many decades. In 2023–24 alone, it provided over 50 percent of the new research funding Berkeley received that year. Without sustained funding, research that touches millions of lives would be so impaired that it could take decades to recover. I encourage you to watch this short video on our pursuit of excellence and the role that private and public funding play in making it possible.
A reciprocal promise
These looming threats have strengthened my resolve to help safeguard higher education in general, and Berkeley in particular. I joined hundreds of leaders across America in signing a letter urging policymakers to preserve the government-education partnership upon which our institutions, and our ability to serve the greater good, thrive. At Berkeley, I promise to defend our capacity to discover, our distinct culture, and our values, which include the freedom to pursue and express the full range of ideas; open and equitable access to opportunities; the recognition that diversity, in every sense of the word, drives excellence; and respect for our differences. These elements are essential to a world-class university — and a society — in which everyone feels welcomed and safe.
Now I’m asking you to make a promise in return. Your voice, as an alum, parent, or friend, and as a voter, is powerful. Here are two ways you can advocate for Berkeley now.
When KJ Muldoon was just one week old, his doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia diagnosed him with a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder that prevented him from breaking down the proteins in his food. If he survived, he would have severe mental and developmental delays and require a liver transplant.
Two weeks ago, KJ, who turns 1 in August, made history as the first human to receive a personalized therapy created to fix his precise mutation. His doctors say he is now growing well and thriving.
KJ’s treatment was produced using CRISPR — a gene-editing platform discovered at UC Berkeley by Jennifer Doudna, who shared the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this transformational technology. Just as a spell checker would catch the misspelling of Burkeley, CRISPR targets the exact DNA letter in a sequence (A, T, G, or C) where an abnormality occurs and corrects it. It took only six months to move from KJ’s diagnosis to treatment. “The ability to develop an on-demand CRISPR therapy in such a short time opens up a new era for treating previously untreatable genetic diseases,” said Jennifer.
An uncertain future
Research endeavors like Jennifer’s — and their far-reaching impacts — are now facing an uncertain future. Many unpredictable and fast-moving federal actions are threatening to undermine the very foundations upon which America’s universities were built: vital funding to advance research; open doors to the world’s brightest minds; and the freedom to explore, discover, and invent.
At Berkeley, the harmful effects of these federal actions include the elimination of some research grants and an unknown future for international, undocumented, and other student communities. Our community is deeply concerned, and our public mission has been challenged.
Every one of us has access to a better life because of Berkeley researchers. Progress to understand the roots of — and cures for — diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Tools to revolutionize the technology we use every day, and to keep us safe from cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft. Innovations to expand our energy options, and to build resilience in the face of disaster. Solutions to ensure clean water, healthy food, and affordable housing for all.
The federal government has been a crucial partner in these advancements for many decades. In 2023–24 alone, it provided over 50 percent of the new research funding Berkeley received that year. Without sustained funding, research that touches millions of lives would be so impaired that it could take decades to recover. I encourage you to watch this short video on our pursuit of excellence and the role that private and public funding play in making it possible.
A reciprocal promise
These looming threats have strengthened my resolve to help safeguard higher education in general, and Berkeley in particular. I joined hundreds of leaders across America in signing a letter urging policymakers to preserve the government-education partnership upon which our institutions, and our ability to serve the greater good, thrive. At Berkeley, I promise to defend our capacity to discover, our distinct culture, and our values, which include the freedom to pursue and express the full range of ideas; open and equitable access to opportunities; the recognition that diversity, in every sense of the word, drives excellence; and respect for our differences. These elements are essential to a world-class university — and a society — in which everyone feels welcomed and safe.
Now I’m asking you to make a promise in return. Your voice, as an alum, parent, or friend, and as a voter, is powerful. Here are two ways you can advocate for Berkeley now.
- Join the UC Advocacy Network, which offers easy actions to communicate with your lawmakers. Current actions focus on keeping UC a priority in the state budget and protecting life-saving biomedical research.
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Stay informed with these resources:
- Federal updates organized by issue
- Chancellor’s updates, including this Berkeley Brief and campus messages
- Impacts of research, an overview of revolutionary breakthroughs made at Berkeley
While our Cal family embodies a range of views on today’s political landscape, I trust that we can come together at this critical moment. Our motto, Fiat Lux, is both a plea and a petition. Let there be light and be the light! There is strength in our numbers to stand up and speak out for the university we love — and all that it is and can be.
Fiat Lux, and Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Fiat Lux, and Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons