Nobel Laureate and UC San Diego Alumnus Fred Ramsdell ’83 to Address Class of 2026

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A Message From Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla:

I am pleased to announce that Nobel laureate and UC San Diego alumnus Fred Ramsdell '83 will serve as the keynote speaker at our 2026 All Campus Commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13.

Fred's story begins with an innate sense of curiosity. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he held a deep love for science, particularly oceanography and the outdoors. He reminisces on spending endless hours on his bike as a child and exploring the beaches around Santa Cruz, Calif. That sense of wonder never left him.

A first-generation college student, Fred began his journey in higher education at Foothill College before transferring to UC San Diego for its excellence in the sciences. A course taught by Richard Dutton, now an emeritus professor in molecular biology, sparked his passion for immunology. An emerging field at the time, that introductory course laid the foundation for a career developing tools that have since expanded findings in immunology.

After graduating with a degree in biochemistry and cell biology from UC San Diego, Fred went on to receive his PhD at University of California Los Angeles. He has held several leadership roles in the biotechnology industry and is currently a scientific advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco.

In 2025, Fred and his collaborators Mary Brunkow and Shimon Sakaguchi were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking contributions to immunology. Their work has transformed our understanding of how the immune system protects the body from attacking its own tissues. These discoveries have opened the door to promising new treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Fred is the third UC San Diego Biological Sciences alumnus to receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, following Bruce Beutler(2011) and Susumu Tonegawa(1987). Former Biology graduate student Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnanwas awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009.

In recognition of his scientific achievements and his commitment to serving others, Fred also will receive the UC San Diego Medal. We are confident that his remarks will inspire graduates and their guests to pursue their passions and live a life of positive impact.

The 2026 All Campus Commencement ceremony will be held at RIMAC Field. I will officially confer degrees by academic division upon graduates gathered as one student body. The ceremony will also be livestreamed for graduates or their families who are unable to join in person. Visit UC San Diego's Commencement websitebeginning at 6:15 p.m. PDT on June 13 to view the livestream or for more information.

Commencement Ceremony Activities

Registration for All Campus Commencement will open on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Graduates and their guests are encouraged to attend their undergraduate college and graduate division ceremonies, where they will be recognized by name. Ceremonies will be held June 12-14, 2026, for each of the colleges, as well as for the Rady School of Management, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, School of Global Policy and Strategy, and Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. The School of Medicine will hold a commencement celebration on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Epstein Family Amphitheater. Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will hold its commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026. The complete schedule of ceremonies is available on the UC San Diego 2026 Commencement website.

Student Speaker Video

Students are invited to share messages of encouragement and inspiration with the Class of 2026. Multiple recipients will be selected to represent the graduating class via a compilation video featured at the ceremony. Filming will take place the week of May 13, 2026. Applyby Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT to be considered.

National Anthem Singer

UC San Diego is searching for an individual or group of students to perform The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, in a pre-recorded video that will be featured during UC San Diego's All Campus Commencement on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. PDT at RIMAC Field. The position is open to all undergraduate or graduate students graduating this June 2026 or who graduated in fall 2025 and are in good standing. Applications are due by Monday, May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. More information is available at the 2026 All Campus Commencement website.

Volunteers

Volunteers play an integral role in our commencement ceremonies by helping us ensure that our graduates and their guests have a meaningful experience on this important day. We are seeking volunteers to help guide graduates to their seats, answer family and visitor questions, and more during the campus commencement events on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. Indicate your interest by completing this formor contact Ana Marie Buenviaje at [email protected]for more information by Sunday, May 17, 2026.

I hope you will join your fellow graduates, faculty and friends to celebrate your accomplishments and time at UC San Diego by attending the 2026 All Campus Commencement ceremony. Tickets are required for graduates to participate in All Campus Commencement, undergraduate college, professional school and Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs commencement ceremonies. Registration opens on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, and closes on Friday, May 29, 2026, for all ceremonies. To learn more, visit the 2026 Commencement website.

I look forward to recognizing your accomplishments and celebrating with you there!

Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor
Joan and Irwin Jacobs Chancellor's Endowed Chair