Undergraduate researcher Liad Habot was awarded the Lucas Foundation fellowship for the 2026 academic year. The Gene and Susan Lucas Undergraduate Research Fund was created to help first-generation undergraduate students experience research alongside UCSB faculty. The program supports research for first-generation undergraduate UCSB students in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Funds may be used for stipend, required research materials, travel, conferences, or field experience.