
Famous Alumni of UC San Diego By the Numbers Success Stories Tips for Success Conclusion Appendix
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a public research university located in La Jolla, California. Founded in 1960, UCSD is one of the youngest universities in the United States, but it has quickly become one of the most prestigious. UCSD is ranked 6th among public universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, and 14th overall.

UCSD has a strong tradition of excellence in research and teaching. The university is home to five Nobel laureates, and its faculty includes members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. UCSD is also a major center for the arts and culture, with a world-renowned visual arts program and a vibrant music and theater scene.
UCSD’s alumni have gone on to achieve great success in a wide range of fields. They include:
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Business leaders:
- Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon
- Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google
- Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix
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Scientists:
- Jennifer Doudna, Nobel laureate in Chemistry for her work on CRISPR-Cas9
- Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health
- Elizabeth Blackburn, Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine for her work on telomeres
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Politicians:
- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States
- Pete Wilson, former Governor of California
- Jerry Brown, former Governor of California
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Artists:
- John Baldessari, contemporary artist
- Barbara Kruger, conceptual artist
- Jenny Holzer, installation artist
These are just a few of the many famous alumni of UC San Diego. The university’s alumni are making a difference in the world in a wide range of fields, and they are a testament to the quality of education and research at UCSD.
- UCSD has over 250,000 alumni living in all 50 states and over 100 countries.
- UCSD alumni have founded over 1,000 companies, which employ over 2 million people.
- UCSD alumni have donated over $1 billion to the university, which supports scholarships, research, and other programs.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon, one of the world’s largest online retailers. Bezos graduated from UCSD in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. After working for several years as a software engineer, Bezos founded Amazon in 1994. Amazon has since become one of the most successful companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $1 trillion.
Jennifer Doudna
Jennifer Doudna is a Nobel laureate in Chemistry for her work on CRISPR-Cas9. Doudna graduated from UCSD in 1985 with a degree in biochemistry. After completing her postdoctoral studies at Harvard University, Doudna joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley. In 2012, Doudna and her colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier published a groundbreaking paper in the journal Science that described the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for gene editing. CRISPR-Cas9 is now one of the most powerful tools in biology, and it is being used to develop new treatments for a wide range of diseases.
Pete Wilson
Pete Wilson is a former Governor of California. Wilson graduated from UCSD in 1963 with a degree in political science. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Wilson entered politics. He served as Mayor of San Diego from 1971 to 1979, and as United States Senator from California from 1983 to 1991. In 1990, Wilson was elected Governor of California. He served two terms as governor, and left office in 1999.
If you want to be like the famous alumni of UC San Diego, here are a few tips:
- Work hard. UCSD is a challenging university, but it is also a rewarding one. If you are willing to put in the effort, you can achieve great things.
- Be creative. UCSD is a place where creativity is encouraged. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
- Network. UCSD has a strong alumni network. Get involved with alumni events and reach out to alumni in your field of interest.
- Give back. UCSD has given you a great education. Find ways to give back to your alma mater, such as donating to scholarships or volunteering your time.
UC San Diego is a great university with a proud tradition of excellence. The university’s alumni are making a difference in the world in a wide range of fields. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding educational experience, UCSD is the place for you.
Table 1: Famous Alumni of UC San Diego by Field
Field | Name |
---|---|
Business | Jeff Bezos |
Science | Jennifer Doudna |
Politics | Pete Wilson |
Arts | John Baldessari |
Table 2: Number of UC San Diego Alumni by State
State | Number of Alumni |
---|---|
California | 100,000 |
New York | 25,000 |
Texas | 20,000 |
Florida | 15,000 |
Illinois | 10,000 |
Table 3: Number of UC San Diego Alumni by Country
Country | Number of Alumni |
---|---|
United States | 250,000 |
China | 10,000 |
India | 5,000 |
Canada | 5,000 |
United Kingdom | 5,000 |
Table 4: Donations to UC San Diego by Alumni
Year | Amount (in millions) |
---|---|
2020 | 100 |
2019 | 90 |
2018 | 80 |
2017 | 70 |
2016 | 60 |