February 6, 2024
Newsletter Sections

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Announcements
Good News!
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Open Research Positions
Research Resources
 
Announcements
 
Call for Nominations: 2024 UCI School of Medicine Research Awards
The School of Medicine Office of Research announces the fourth annual call for nominations. Awards are in six categories to recognize research excellence and outstanding academic achievement in the UCI School of Medicine. Submit your nominations to Emily Dawidoff, edawidof@hs.uci.edu

For more details and a list of past winners, read about our Research Awards

Nominations Deadline: Monday, March 25, 2024
 
Call for Nominations: 2024 UCI School of Medicine Faculty Mentoring Awards
The School of Medicine Office of Academic Affairs announces the fourth call for nominations. There will be four awards to recognize excellence and innovation in mentoring at UCI School of Medicine — specifically in the domain of faculty mentoring other faculty (not students). Submit your nominations to Associate Dean Brian Cummings, cummings@hs.uci.edu and Sophie Wong, snwong1@hs.uci.edu.

For more details and a list of past winners, read about our Faculty Mentoring Awards.

Nominations Deadline: Monday, March 25, 2024 
 
Application Deadline Extended for the School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)    
The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is a two-year structured program providing physician-scientists with intensive mentorship and opportunities to apply for their first independent, federally funded awards (K08, K23) or other equivalent external career development awards. A detailed program description and application requirements can be found under the School of Medicine Physician Scientist Resources.  

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 9, 2024

Apply
 
Joint Faculty Research Retreat — Advancing the Frontiers
UCI School of Medicine is excited to announce a joint retreat with UCI Samueli School of Engineering. The keynote speaker will be Bruce J. Tromberg, PhD, addressing Engineering in Medicine. 

Date: Monday, March 11, 2024
Location: UCI Student Center 

All Day Event (Check in at 9 a.m. First session at 9:30 a.m.)
Read for more details and the agenda
  
Register

Please plan to join us for this first-time-ever event! Contact Emily Dawidoff if you have any questions.
 
Request for Applications: School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant
The School of Medicine Research Committee is pleased to announce the School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant competition. It is the policy of the Committee to support seed research projects from new investigators that have a high probability of obtaining extramural funding as a result of this award. To qualify, the applicant must have the NIH “Early Stage Investigator” status and not yet competed successfully as a PI to receive substantial independent NIH funding. Please submit inquiries to somrd@hs.uci.edu.

Deadline: Friday, March 15, 2024
Apply via InfoReady
 
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Good News!
 
We have been collecting information about new awards sent in by the School of Medicine research community and have created this space to share the news.

Gina Lee, Assistant Professor (Microbiology & Molecular Genetics), received a grant from the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Alliance to identify circulating metabolites for TSC tumor detection. 

Have you or someone on your research team received a new grant, i.e., research funding? The School of Medicine Office of Research would like to know. Please fill out this short New Funding/Grant Survey form.
 
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Funding Opportunities
 
Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty.

To learn more about opportunities and resources for your funding search, visit the Office of Research’s Funding Opportunities page

For a curated, searchable and filterable list of funding opportunities by NIH in their weekly NIH guide listserv, check out the School of Medicine Funding Search Tool.

Trainee Funding Opportunities
 
Katherine & Robert Phalen Endowment
This endowment is intended to highlight and support doctoral students whose current laboratory research shows future promise for preventing, treating, or understanding human disease. This award, in the amount of a $1,000 stipend, is open to doctoral students in the Program in Public Health and the School of Medicine.
Learn more

Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024
 
Medical Student NIH T35 Summer Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) Programs
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) currently has slots open to support first-year medical students conducting summer research in the following areas: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, aging, diabetes, digestive disease, kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, endocrine and metabolic diseases, and nutritional disorders. Students must conduct research for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 weeks between May and August 2024. If you are a first-year medical student or a faculty member with a medical student trainee that may be eligible for this award, please contact Brooke Piercy at piercyb@hs.uci.edu. Learn more about the ICTS Funded Summer Research Programs

Deadline: Sunday, March 3, 2024
Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities
 
Limited Opportunity: 2024 Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering
The Packard Fellows program is for highly creative young faculty researchers in the natural, physical sciences and engineering during their first three years as faculty. Up to twenty recipients will receive individual grants of $875,000 over five years.

UCI may submit only two nominations; therefore, interested applicants should apply via the UCI Review application system by Feb. 15, 2024.

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024
 
L'Oréal USA For Women in Science
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. Candidates must have completed their PhD and have started in their postdoctoral research position by the application deadline. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. Learn more about the L'Oréal USA For Women in Science program

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
 
DoD-DARPA-Young Faculty Award (YFA)
DARPA YFA program aims to identify and engage rising stars in junior research positions in academia, particularly those without prior DARPA funding, to expose them to DoD needs and DARPA’s mission. Read the funding announcement

Deadline: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024
 
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) Pilot Awards
Early Stage Investigator Award ($20k). Review the application and RFP

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 5 p.m. PT
 
Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program
The program supports early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in academic research. Fellows receive funding to support their postdoctoral training and may continue to receive funding during their early career years as independent faculty. Learn more about the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program.

Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 
 
Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program
Four-year postdoctoral research awards to pursue advanced research training in collaboration with a senior faculty member; up to $75,000 annual stipend; $30,000 annual grant for research activities. 

Eligibility: Historically disadvantaged backgrounds; U.S. citizens, permanent residents or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status; Have or actively are completing formal clinical training; Commitment to four years of research and pursuit of academic career; Dedicated to helping decrease health disparities or serving as role models for students from similar backgrounds

Applications open annually in February. Read for more details
All Faculty Funding Opportunities
 
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) Pilot Awards
  • Standard Award ($40,000)
  • Underrepresented Investigator Award ($40,000)
  • Re-entry After Family Care Award ($40,000)
  • Multi-PI (Team Science) Award ($60,000)
Review the application and RFP

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 
5 p.m. PT
 
Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) Grants Program 2024
The CMCR is seeking to fund cannabis-related studies that further enhance the understanding of the efficacy and adverse effects of cannabis and cannabinoids as pharmacological agents for the treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders, and their potential public health impacts. Two award types are available. Primary project awards will be up to $275,000/year for up to three years. Pilot project awards will be up to $150,000/year for up to two years. Review the RFA PDF

LOI deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024, 2 p.m. PT
 
Understanding Mechanisms and Outcomes of Trained Immunity (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-24-112)
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support research that improves understanding of basic mechanisms and biomarkers of trained immunity (i.e., innate immune memory), plus the functional implications of trained immunity, related to 1) immune system development and function, 2) immunity to vaccines or natural infections, or 3) allergic diseases, autoimmunity, or rejection of organ/tissue/cell transplantation. Review the NOFO

First available deadline: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Expiration date: Jan. 8, 2027

 
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Upcoming Seminars & Events
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
Dietary modulation of gut innate immunity, by Ta-Chiang Liu, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology and immunology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall


 
Research in Progress Quarterly Seminar by UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCI Cancer Research Institute 
Role of Regulatory T cells and its Clinical Applications in Cancer Immunotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies and other Autoimmune conditions, by Rishikesh Chavan, MD, associate clinical professor, Department of Pediatrics, UCI School of Medicine. Use this form to request a calendar invite with the Zoom link. 

Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon to 1 p.m.  
Via Zoom 


Join Zoom
 
Physician Scientist Collective: Distinguished Speaker Series
Developing a Career as a Surgeon Scientist, by Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH, Director of Clinical Research, Associate Professor, Orthopedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Sprague Hall, Conference Room 105


Register
 
Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar 

Headshot of Karl Liboro


Karl Liboro
Graduate Student
Eric Pearlman, PhD, Lab
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
UCI School of Medicine  

Headshot of May Hui

May Hui
Graduate Student
Kevin Beier, PhD, Lab
Department of Physiology & Biophysics 
UCI School of Medicine


Regulation of Staphylococcus aureus corneal infections by NLRP3-mediated IL-1β secretionby Karl Liboro
An agranular insula to basolateral amygdala pathway mediates nociceptive response in mice, by May Hui

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4 to 5 p.m. 
Location: Tamkin Hall F114
 
Vision Research Mixer
We are excited to invite you to the inaugural UCI Vision Research Mixer organized by the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. We hope you will join us for an opportunity to engage with other vision research colleagues from across UCI. The event will include several brief vision research talks during the first hour, followed by a reception. We intend to host this event several times a year for the purpose of encouraging interactions and bolstering collaborations among UCI's many talented vision scientists. Please RSVP to ophthalmology@uci.edu or call 949-824-9276. There is no cost to attend. 

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. 
Location: Gross Hall, 4th Floor Conference Center

 
The Seventh Annual UCI Skin Symposium
Dive into the forefront of skin research at our Seventh Annual UCI Skin Symposium! Engage with leading experts from around the world as they share groundbreaking research insights, skin health breakthroughs and innovative treatments. This event is free to attend and has limited seating. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be served with RSVP. Poster Session during the lunch break. View flyer for more speaker information. 

Friday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
Location: Gross Hall, 4th Floor Conference Center


 
Experimental Pathology Research Conferences
Evaluating a Role for Sleep-Active Glymphatic Function in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease, by Jeff IliffPhD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Monday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and via Zoom  


Join Zoom
 
Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series 
The next topic will cover Recommendations and Award Letters, presented by Marjan Farid, MD, Christine Gall, PhD and Baruch Kuppermann, MD, PhD. Monthly on Mondays, a series of monthly seminars, presented by Nimisha K. Parekh, MD, and Brian J. Cummings, PhD, associate deans of faculty development, offers a wide range of topics focused on faculty development.

Monday, Feb. 12, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. 
Location: Via Zoom 


Register
 
Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series
Understanding Protein Structure, Function and Regulation through Protein-Protein Interactions, by Lan HuangPhD, professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UCI School of Medicine

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Hybrid event at Tamkin Hall F114 and via Zoom upon request


Contact Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk to join via Zoom. 
 
Anatomy & Neurobiology Seminar Series
Latrophilin cell-type specific expression and implications for neural circuit development, by Garret Anderson, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, UC Riverside. Learn more about the A&N Seminar Series 2024

Thursday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Plumwood Room 166

 
Register to Attend a Seminar featuring Dr. Michelle Jones-London, PhD (NIH/NINDS)
An OPEN Conversation: NINDS Strategies for Enhancing the Diversity of Neuroscience Researchers, presented by Michelle Jones-London, PhD, NIH/NINDS, Chief, Office of Programs to Enhance Neuroscience Workforce Diversity. Seminar hosted by the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM). 

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. 
Location: Hybrid event at ISEB 1200 and via Zoom 


 
UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Research Webinar
Acupuncture and Acupressure for Chronic Pain, by Richard E. Harris, PhD, professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, UCI School of Medicine, endowed chair, UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute 

Wednesday, Feb. 21, noon 
Via Zoom


 
CHOC Research Education
Translating sex differences in cancer biology to clinical practice, by Joshua B. Rubin, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics, hematology & oncology, neurology and neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis 

Wednesday, Feb. 21, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom


Register
 
Register for the 24th Annual Chao Lectureship
Join us for the Allen and Lee-Hwa Chao Lectureship in Cancer Research, in honor of H. H. Chao, to explore factors influencing cancer health disparities with honoree John D. Carpten, PhD, Director of City of Hope’s National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, Director of Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope and Chief Scientific Officer. Learn more

Community Lecture: Closing the Gaps to Achieve Cancer Health Equity: Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities  
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m. (Reception at 5 p.m.) 
Location: The Beckman Center

Scientific Lecture: The Impact of Population and Tumor Heterogeneity in Cancer Health Disparities 
Thursday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. (Lunch to follow) 
Location: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center, 4th Floor


 
UCI Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS) Seminar
Understanding differences in Down Syndrome — Alzheimer’s Disease: a focus on amyloid-β formation and response, by Frances WisemanPhD, programme leader for animal models, UK Dementia Research Institute. Hosted by the UCI Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS).  

Friday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. PT 
Via Zoom 


Register
 
Spatial Transcriptomic Data Analysis and Software
This workshop hosted by the UCI Genomics Research and Technology Hub (GRT Hub) will introduce data analysis workflow with both sequencing- and imaging-based spatial transcriptomics platforms, using 10x Visium and Xenium as examples. Instructors: Jenny Wu, PhD, and Ivan Chang, PhD.

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to noon 
Location: Sprague Hall, Room 105

Register
 
UCI Conte Center Seminar Series 
Re-thinking Adversity: Early Life Stress from the Child's Perspective, by Seth D. PollakPhD, Vaughan-Bascom Distinguished University Professor, Departments of Psychology, Pediatrics, Anthropology, LaFollette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin – Madison. Hosted by the UCI Conte Center

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 4 to 5 p.m. PT 
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House lecture hall and via Zoom  

Passcode: 764583


Join Zoom
 
School of Medicine Dean's Research Council Meeting
Research Presentations: 
Using Patient Generated Information Integrated with ‘Real World Data’ to Improve Individual Patient Outcomes: Are We There Yet? by Sheldon Greenfield, MD, distinguished professor, Donald Bren professor, UCI School of Medicine & Sherrie H. Kaplan, PhD, MPH, professor in the Departments of Medicine and Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, UCI School of Medicine 

Dopamine and the Modulation of Brain Circuits in Neurological and Substance Use Disorders, by Emiliana Borrelli, PhD, professor in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UCI School of Medicine   

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 5 to 6 p.m. 
Via Zoom

Meeting ID: 968 2620 4626 | Passcode: 109533

Join Zoom
 
UCI School of Biological Sciences Winter 2024 Dean's Distinguished Lecture
Designing Drugs for Human Diseases Using Structural Biology, by Thomas Poulos, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, UC Irvine 

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Location: Crystal Cove Auditorium — UCI Student Center 


Register
 
The Third Annual CHOC and UCI Rare Disease Symposium
  • Grand Rounds (virtual): Wednesday, March 6, 8 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. PT 
  • Poster Sessions (Location TBD): Thursday, March 7, 2:30 to 7 p.m. PT 
  • Virtual Symposium: Friday, March 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT 
March 6–8
Location: In person & Virtual 


Register
 
11th Annual Conte Center Symposium & Call for Abstracts
Please join us for the 11th Annual Conte Center Symposium on March 26 at the Beckman Center. The theme is The Power and Potential of Big Data and Consortia for Studying Mental Health and Disease. In addition, we will be holding a poster session. Please visit the Conte Center’s website for more information, including details on the call for abstracts/posters. Register for the symposium here.

Deadline to submit abstracts: Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
 
Grand Rounds and CME Symposia
For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email.
 
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Open Research Positions
 
Postdoctoral Scholar-Della Martin Fellowship / Psychiatry and Human Behavior
An exciting and unique opportunity to study neuropsychiatric disorders at the molecular level and develop translational research programs in clinical populations using state-of-the art technologies including single cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and cellular models derived from patients and controls. Successful candidate will be familiar with molecular and cellular laboratory methods and bioinformatics.

PI: William E. Bunney 
View the posting in AP Recruit.
Closing date: Sunday, June 30, 2024
 
Postdoctoral Scholar in the Marazzi Lab / Biological Chemistry
The Marazzi Lab is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to fill the position of Postdoctoral Researcher. A successful candidate will join a dynamic and innovative research team dedicated to advancing our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and their role in human health and disease.

PI: Ivan Marazzi, PhD 
Contact Dr. Marazzi if interested. View the posting in AP Recruit
Closing Date: Sunday, June 30, 2024 

 
Postdoctoral Scholar in Neuroscience / Conte Center 
Wish to manipulate new stress-sensitive projections? Discover how early-life stress/adversity impacts brain maturation? Postdoc in amazing South California? Join the team!

PI: Tallie Z. Baram, MD, PhD
View the posting in AP Recruit
 
Do you have an open research-related position you would also like announced in Research Insider? Please fill out this form to have your open position listed.

Submit Form
 
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Research Resources
 
2023: An NIH Year in Review
Mike Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research, NIH, virtually sat down with Dr. David Kosub, from the NIH communications group, to take a look back and to share some thoughts on what is to come for 2024. Read more
 
Follow Friendly Formats for NIH PDF Attachments
Your grant applications, just-in-time information, and progress reports must all include PDF file attachments. Learn how to make your attachments reader-friendly for both people and electronic systems. Read more
 
What kind of grant support does the Research Development Unit (RDU) provide?
 
NIH Training Grant Incentive Program
Training Grants (e.g., NIH T32) play a key role in supporting graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and increases our ability to recruit the best among them. The School of Medicine Office of Research appreciates the time commitment required to prepare and direct training grants and has the Training Grant Incentive Program for first-time submissions of new or competing renewal applications. Read the guidelines on the intake form.

Also, the School of Medicine Research Development Unit supports the preparation of training grant proposals; email somrd@uci.edu to get started. View current UCI Training Grants. View active NIH T32 funding calls.
 
Interested in submitting for an NIH multi-component grant?
If you are interested in submitting for an NIH multi-component grant, such as the P or U mechanism, please remember to reach out to Dr. Al La Spada, Associate Dean for Research Development (alaspada@uci.edu). He can guide you through the process and connect you with potential collaborators.

Also, remember that the Research Development Unit (RDU) provides
project management support for these mechanisms.
To request RDU services, submit this Grant Support Request intake form. There is also an incentive program for these submissions, with more details in this Incentive Program intake form.
 
Are you considering applying for Limited Funding Opportunities?
In most cases, interested applicants submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research where a committee reviews all submissions and makes a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor for Research about which proposal should go forward from UCI. Limited opportunities are advertised on fundopp.uci.edu with a link to apply. However, if you do not see a limited opportunity listed, please contact the Research Development Unit. We can relay your application plans to the UCI Office of Research so they are aware of the number of interested PIs/units on campus and, if necessary, coordinate PIs or create a review process.
 
Intramural & Foundation Funding Opportunities Lists
The Research Development Unit (RDU) has created lists of intramural funding opportunities and foundation funding opportunities. If you have additional opportunities that should be included, please do not hesitate to email at somrd@hs.uci.edu.
 
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COVID-19 Information
 
Respiratory infection reminders
COVID-19, flu and RSV continue to circulate in the area at high levels. Some reminders:
  • Employees are encouraged to stay home when ill to help reduce the spread of infections.
  • Employees, including student employees, are strongly encouraged to report cases of COVID-19 to Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services at contacttracing@uci.edu or 949-824-2300. CTVNS will follow up with a case investigation and employee close contact notifications.
  • Free COVID-19 antigen tests continue to be available to employees at various locations on campus.
Free masks and N-95 respirators are also available to employees at various locations.

All employee-related information can be found at Human Resources Working Well webpage. For UCI Health updates, please visit UCI Health's COVID-19 page on SharePoint.
Contribute to Research Insider!
 
Submit your funding opportunities and events to next week's email here: Seminar/Event or Funding Opportunity.

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