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25th Edition | January 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! As we move into 2024, I want to take a moment to highlight and remember the accomplishments and achievements of this past year. The talent and cutting-edge research of our scientists, physicians and staff have helped the UCI School of Medicine achieve the highest level of research funding ever.

In fiscal year 2022-23, the school secured $355 million in research grants and funding, an all-time high! This represents a 17% increase over last year. To add to that, we have averaged a 16% increase in funding, year over year, for the past five years.


	UCI researchers named fellows by National Academy of Inventors
	Guann-Pyng (G.P.) Li, PhD, and David Reinkensmeyer, PhD, are among 162 academic inventors made fellows by the NAI this year. Read More


	Diego A. Pizzagalli named founding director of the UCI Noel Drury, MD Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
	Harvard researcher to build world-class transdisciplinary program. Read More


	Researchers discover a mechanism that controls the identity of stem cells
	The ability to change the identity of stem cells allows researchers to delve into the fundamental aspect of development, specifically what happens when two cells meet and give rise to an embryo. Read More


	UC Irvine-led study is first to find brain hemorrhage cause other than injured blood vessels
	Discovery deepens understanding of cerebral microbleeds, may offer new therapeutic targets. Read More


	Klemens J. Hertel, PhD, named chair of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
	In 2021, Dr. Hertel stepped down from his position of associate dean for Graduate Studies after 10 years of service in that role to assume the position of interim chair of the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. Read More


	Researchers discover how to better support lab grown muscle cells after transplantation
	With their discovery, the development of “muscle in a dish” is one step closer to reality. Read More

In Memoriam: Julianne Toohey, MD

Dr. Toohey worked tirelessly to ensure that students had an incredible experience while at the UCI School of Medicine, and she is personally responsible for influencing the career choices of many of our own Orange County OB/GYN physicians.
Read More

In Memoriam: Choong Hyun Baick, MD

Dr. Baick developed and began the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at the UCI Medical Center.
Read More

In Memoriam: Kenneth M. Baldwin, PhD

His “Exercise is Medicine” mantra became a global health initiative.
Read More

In Memoriam: Jim Fallon, PhD

He was the first to demonstrate the large-scale presence of stem cells in the injured adult brain, following stimulation by growth factors (PNAS, 2000).
Read More

In Memoriam: Walt Henry, MD

He was the first physician at the NIH to use two-dimensional echocardiography in both clinical patient care and research.
Read More


	School of Medicine National Latinx Physician Day Celebration
	A special plaque recognizing the School of Medicine’s work in the Latino community was presented to Dean Stamos from the office of Doug Chaffee, fourth district supervisor in Orange County. Read More


	Bridget Fortin Named Inaugural Estée Lauder Epigenetics Fellow at UCI
	The Estée Lauder Epigenetics Fellowship was established to honor the late Paolo Sassone-Corsi, PhD, who was UCI’s Donald Bren Professor of Biological Chemistry and director of the Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism. Read More


	School of Medicine Alumna and Faculty Receive Lauds & Laurels
	Geraldine Taplin, MD (’72) and UCI alumna, Zainab Saadi, MD, (’06), assistant professor in the Department of Medicine were honored for their commitment to keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More


	UCI School of Medicine receives 2023 HEED award
	After an inaugural win in 2019, this marks the third time that the School of Medicine was named a HEED award recipient for interdisciplinary collaboration and advances made in education, research and wellness initiatives designed to enhance campus culture and impart change. Read More


	Medical Education Building Ribbon-Cutting
	The renovation greatly increases the availability of student study and lounge spaces and creates opportunities for innovative modalities of teaching. Read More


	Learn Serve Lead 2023: The AAMC Annual Meeting Presentations
	In addition to presenting, UCI School of Medicine Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Programs all received CalMedForce Grants this year. Read More

Three PRIME LEAD-ABC students win scholarships

Kyrillos Grace, a dedicated PRIME LEAD-ABC scholar, has been awarded the prestigious Dr. Richard Allen Williams Scholarship from the Association of Black Cardiologists.
Read More

2023 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Inductees

This is a lifelong honor and confers recognition of a physician's dedication to the profession and the art of healing. A nomination for this prestigious induction is truly an honor.
Read More

Students win poster awards at ACP Southern California Regional Meeting

Christine Louis’ poster: "Team KiPOW OC!: Promoting Positive Health Habits in Low-Resource Neighborhoods,” won first place in the Innovations category for Region 2.
Read More

Say Cheese!

Free professional headshots are now being offered by the UCI Division of Career Pathways.
Read More


	NIH awards $4.4 million to UCI Diabetes Center to study the epigenetic mechanisms for diabetes
	Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and adult blindness. Read More


	UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge raises $1 million for critical cancer research
	The Oct. 7 event surpassed the million-dollar mark for a second consecutive year. Read More


	UCI Health enrolls patient in first U.S. study of medical device for erectile dysfunction
	Radio wave therapy approved for use in Europe. Read More


	Treating white cataracts requires expertise
	Dr. Marjan Farid, a professor of ophthalmology at UC Irvine School of Medicine, performs all types of corneal transplants, including femtosecond laser-enabled lamellar keratoplasty. Read More


	UCI Health Maternity Services earns 'high-performing' rating for third consecutive year
	U.S. News & World Report ranking affirms safe, high-quality care for expectant families Read More


	Susan Huang, MD, appointed to Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
	Huang is internationally recognized for her influential research evaluating the spread and containment of multidrug-resistant organisms and strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Read More

UCI opens specialized infusion center for cell and gene therapy studies

The center will support clinical trials at the UCI Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center.
Read More

UCI/CHOC Diagnostic Center of Excellence Joins the Undiagnosed Diseases Network

This is recognition of the high level of diagnostic expertise that only academic medical centers offer, combined with spectacular research on the UCI campus and at CHOC.
Read More

UCI Health clinician Adrian Preda named editor-in-chief of Psychiatric News

Publicaton is the official news service of the American Psychiatric Association.
Read More

UCI Health among elite hospitals to secure an 'A' in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report

Ranking places UCI among the top 30% of hospitals nationwide.
Read More

How Much REM Sleep Do You Need? We Asked Sleep Specialists

Over 40% of US Adults With High Cholesterol Don’t Know It and Aren’t Getting Treated

Green Tea vs Black Tea: How their Health Benefits Compare

Researchers testing out drug for Alzheimer’s prevention

FDA approves first-ever gene therapies for sickle cell disease

Jan. 17: 2024 Stem Cell Science Symposium

Jan. 25: Physician Scientist Collective Distinguished Speaker Series

Feb. 2–3: Advances and Essentials in Cardiovascular Disease Conference

March 2: UCI Homecoming

March 11: Faculty Research Retreat

See All Events

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