February 13, 2024
Newsletter Sections

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Announcements
Good News!
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Open Research Positions
Research Resources
 
Announcements
 
School of Medicine Dean's Research Council Meeting
School of Medicine Dean Michael Stamos and Associate Dean for Research Administration William E. Bunney invite you to attend this quarterly meeting featuring two distinguished 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
 
Joint Faculty Research Retreat — Advancing the Frontiers
You’re invited to attend a joint retreat with UCI School of Medicine and UCI Samueli School of Engineering. Please join us for this first-time-ever event! Faculty from both schools will come together to explore grant submissions, further educational opportunities, and promote collaborations at the intersections of medical sciences and engineering innovation. Read for more details and the agenda

Contact Emily Dawidoff if you have any questions.

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.) 
  
Register
 
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 
 
AAMC Center for Health Justice Research Opportunity
Researchers are invited to apply for access to polling data from the AAMC Center for Health Justice on health equity topics such as health and civic engagement, birth experiences and institutional trustworthiness, so they can conduct their own research for evidence-based solutions to achieve health equity. Applicants must be a member of or join AAMC CHARGE and submit a health equity-focused research proposal with research questions that can be answered using data from the CHARGE Investigates — A Call for Research dataset. 

Informational Webinar: Thursday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. Register today. 

Deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024 
 
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
 
School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) can help with your NIH S10 application!
The NIH Shared Instrument Grant (SIG) Program (PAR-22-080) and High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant Program (PAR-22-079) encourage applications from groups of NIH-supported investigators to purchase or upgrade a single item of high-priced, specialized, commercially available instruments or integrated instrumentation system.

The June deadlines are approaching, so if you plan to submit an application, please complete this intake form as soon as possible. These applications are quite time-intensive, and at least a three-month lead time is recommended. The RDU can help with obtaining letters of support (e.g., from School of Medicine leadership), collecting and reviewing biosketches, and overall project management support. 
 
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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.

Lisa Wagar, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics), was awarded a contract from Bristol-Myers Squibb, titled “Uncovering novel functions and MOA of anti-CTLA-4 on T cells using human lymphoid tissue organoid models.” 

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. Read for more details

Deadline: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 
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
 
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Upcoming Seminars & Events
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
Decoding the inflammation-responsive mechanisms of normal and malignant hematopoietic stem cell evolution, by Leslie A. Crews, PhD, assistant professor, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego 

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall


 
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. 
 
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Thursday Seminar Series 
Deciphering epigenetic crosstalk using long-read sequencing, by Annie Trinh, PhD candidate in Timothy Downing, PhD, Lab, UCI School of Medicine 

Thursday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and via Zoom

Contact Shanti Iyer 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
 
Scientist Solutions Vendor Fair
Scientist Solutions Events is hosting a vendor product show with around 10 vendors attending. Register today to order your Mendocino Farms sandwich. 

Friday, Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
Location: Grassy area between Sprague Hall and Gillespie Neuroscience


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
 
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
 
Third Annual CHOC and UCI Rare Disease Symposium
The Third Annual CHOC and UCI Rare Disease Symposium will bring together over 100 advocates, researchers, clinicians, students and families to share research, knowledge and experience on rare diseases. The 2024 Symposium is hosted in partnership between CHOC and UCI.
  • 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
 
Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series 
Merits and Promotions for Health Sciences Clinical Faculty, presented by Nimisha Parekh, MD, and Mohammad Helmy, MDMonthly on Mondays, presented by Dr. Parekh and Brian J. Cummings, PhD, associate deans of faculty development, is a monthly seminar series covering a wide range of topics focused on faculty development. 

Monday, March 11, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. 
Location: Via Zoom 


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
 
Did you know about these UCI-offered resources?
These three books are available to download and can be accessed via the UCI Libraries (must be on campus or using VPN): UCI Apporto Virtual Computer Lab VCL (free)
  • Apps available now: Stata, SPSS, Cran R, R Studio and Matlab
  • Apps available soon: ArcGIS and Eviews  
 
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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