February 27, 2024
Newsletter Sections

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Announcements
Good News!
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Open Research Positions
Research Resources
 
Announcements
 
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.

Monday, March 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: UCI Student Center 

All Day Event (Check in at 9 a.m. First session at 9:30 a.m.) 
  
Register
 
Register now! All About the NIH Shared and High-End Instrumentation Grant (S10) Programs
Join us for an informational seminar about the NIH S10 mechanism, hosted by the School of Medicine Office of Research! We will review what makes these equipment awards unique, how the School of Medicine can support your application, and hear from S10 awardees on how they approached this mechanism. We encourage all School of Medicine researchers interested in applying for an NIH S10 award to attend.

Featured speakers: Geoff Abbott, PhD; Suzanne Sandmeyer, PhD; and Xiangmin Xu, PhD

Wednesday, March 13, Noon to 1 p.m. 
Via Zoom


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 
 
School of Medicine Applications for Bridge Funding Due March 25
Please note that the next UCI Office of Research Deadline for Bridge Funding is Monday, April 1, 2024. Complete applications must include a signed letter of support by your department chair showing financial commitment. Applications are due to the School of Medicine Office of Research via this form by Monday, March 25, 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
 
Call for applications: Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Award
The UCI School of Medicine is pleased to announce a 2024 call for applications for the Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Award. This award is aimed at promoting the early exploration of high-risk research ideas focused on emerging areas of basic and applied biomedical science. Funding will support one $45,000 grant to a PhD mentor and PhD student team of UCI School of Medicine-based researchers. 

Application Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024, by 5 p.m.

Read More
 
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.

Philip Kiser, PharmD, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics, Ophthalmology) and Alvin Yu, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics), received a Research to Prevent Blindness grant titled, “Unraveling the roles of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein in the classical and photic visual cycles.”

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
 
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 
 
Limited Opportunity! 2024 William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Program
The William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Program supports promising early-career researchers from any discipline whose research contributes to a society that values young people and helps them reach their potential in the face of inequality by race, ethnicity, economic standing and immigrant origin status. The foundation is particularly interested in interdisciplinary research that increases understanding of young people, ages 5 to 25 in the U.S.

UCI may nominate one candidate from each school. If you are interested, please email the School of Medicine Research Development Unit (somrd@hs.uci.edu) by Friday, March 8. There may be an internal selection process. 

Internal Deadline: Friday, March 8, 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 
 
NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-24-120)
The purpose of the NIA K22 Career Transition Award is to facilitate the transition of mentored, postdoctoral researchers to tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions conducting research that advances the mission of NIA. This award does not provide postdoctoral phase funding; therefore, candidates should be prepared to transition to tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions within 12 months after confirmation of a positive funding decision. After transition to an approved faculty position at an extramural institution/organization, the award will provide three years of protected research time through salary and research support. Review the funding announcement

First Available Deadline: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 
Expiration date: November 13, 2025

All Faculty Funding Opportunities
 
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
 
Research Commercialization Funds Available – PoP Grants Request-for-Proposals
UCI Beall Applied Innovation (BAI) has launched the Spring 2024 round of its Proof-of-Product (PoP) program. Through this program, BAI competitively awards grants up to $100K for faculty researchers to advance their discoveries towards market to measurably improve lives.

LOI / Record of Information (ROI) deadline: Friday, March 22, 2024
 
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Validation of Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Tools for Improved Assessment in Biomedical and Behavioral Research (NOT-CA-24-031)
The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to encourage grant applications to support the evaluation of the utility and validity of digital health and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) tools and technologies in biomedical and behavioral research. The intent is to support the addition of new measurement modalities to evaluate existing and recently developed but not yet validated digital health and AI tools such as sensor technologies, smartphone applications, software as a medical device (SaMD), and AI/ML algorithms. Review the NOSI for IC-specific guidelines and which funding opportunities this NOSI applies to. 

First Available Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024
Expiration Date: July 6, 2025

 
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Upcoming Seminars & Events
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
Long-Range Gene Regulation in Development and Disease, by Evgeny Kvon, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, UCI School of Biological Sciences 

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall


 
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
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Special Seminar
Nuclear RNA binding proteins: Concertmasters of the macrophage innate immune response, by Kristin L. Patrick, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine 

Thursday, Feb. 29, 11 a.m. to noon  
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall


 
Experimental Pathology Research Conferences
DCIS: A brief history of a conflicted entity, by Alexander D. Borowsky, MD, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, UC Davis 

Monday, March 4, 11 a.m. to noon 
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and via Zoom


Join Zoom
 
Genome Editing at UCI
Headshot of Krzysztof Palczewski
Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD
Headshot of Ethan Hollingsworth
Ethan Hollingsworth, MD/PhD student

The Genetics, Biomedical Computing and Genomics monthly seminar will feature two lectures: 

Eye on Genome Editing, by Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD, UCI Distinguished Professor and Donald Bren Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Physiology and Biophysics, Irving H. Leopold Chair in Ophthalmology, UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UCI School of Medicine 

Rapid Functional Testing of Human Noncoding Disease Variants in Live Mice, by Ethan Hollingsworth, MD/PhD student in the Evgeny Kvon Lab, Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, UCI School of Biological Sciences 

Tuesday, March 5, 10 to 11 a.m.
Via Zoom


Join Zoom
 
Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar 

Headshot of Olga Orozco

Olga Orozco 
Graduate Student
Michael Hicks, PhD, Lab
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
UCI School of Medicine  

Headshot of Yasmeen Solano

Yasmeen Rodriguez
Graduate Student
Philip Kiser, PharmD, PhD, Lab
Department of Physiology & Biophysics 
UCI School of Medicine


Standardization of iPSC-derived muscle stem cells toward cGMP conditions via SIX1by Olga Orozco
Carotenoid cleavage enzymes evolved convergently to generate the visual chromophore, by Yasmeen Rodriguez

Wednesday, March 6, 4 to 5 p.m. 
Location: Tamkin Hall F114
 
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
 
Cedars-Sinai Spatial Biology Symposium
Join the Second Spatial Biology Symposium, a gathering of spatial biology researchers across Southern California, celebrating their work in three fields: cancer, stem cells and developmental biology, and neuroscience.

The symposium is hosted by the Spatial Molecular Profiling, Applied Genomics, and Proteomics Shared Resources of Cedars-Sinai, and it will be held in person and virtually with the chance to network over lunch and happy hour. Trainees who submit an abstract with their RSVP may have the opportunity to present in lightning talk sessions.

Thursday, March 7
Location: Hybrid event at Cedars-Sinai, Pacific Design Center, Green Building, 5th Floor, and via Zoom


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
 
ICTS Brown Bag Lunch Series Workshop: Big Data and the Future of Discovery in Biology and in Medicine
Big Data and the future of discovery in biology and medicine: A tale of three elephantspresented by Arthur Lander, MD, PhD. This series by the UCI Institute for Clinical & Translational Science is an opportunity to bring ICTS scholars and trainees together with senior experts in a small setting for conversations about research, career paths, medicine and more. In this session, Dr. Lander will lead a discussion on how theory, hypotheses and big data need to work together to fulfill the promise of the big data revolution.

Tuesday, March 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Location: UCI Thorp Conference Center, Gross Hall, 4th Floor


Register
 
Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series
Protons at the cell border: the good and the bad, by Francesco TombolaPhD, professor, associate dean, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UCI School of Medicine

Wednesday, March 13, 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 2024
A translaminar space-time code supports touch-evoked traveling waves, by Krishna Jayant, PhD, assistant professor, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University. Hosted by the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.  

Thursday, March 14, 11 a.m.
Location: Plumwood Room 166


 
Physician Scientist Collective: Distinguished Speaker Series
Translational Ophthalmic Research: Pathways & Opportunities for Physician Scientists, by Mark Pennesi, MD, MPH, Professor, Ophthalmology, Oregon Health & Science University

Thursday, March 14, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Sprague Hall, Conference Room 105


Register
 
Presidential Leadership and Disability 
The age of presidential candidates has become a salient concern, but age is not the only physical factor that should concern citizens. Presidents can also suffer various forms of illness, both physical and psychological. This talk highlights the nature of these concerns and how we might work to mitigate their impact on political outcomes. Learn more

Friday, March 15, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom 


 
UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Research Webinar
Interplay of Nutrition and Stress: Potential role of mindfulness in the treatment of diet-related chronic diseases, by Karen Lindsay, PhDRDN, Early Career Samueli Endowed Chair, assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Diet and Nutrition Counseling, UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute 

Wednesday, March 20, Noon to 1 p.m. 
Location: Via Zoom 


Register
 
11th Annual Conte Center Symposium
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. For more information, visit the Conte Center’s website.

Tuesday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Location: The Beckman Center 


Register
 
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 - Immuno - Virology and Vaccine Development
The Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology of the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute has two postdoctoral scholar openings. Applications are being sought from recent PhD, or MD/PhD graduates in the Biological/Immunological Sciences. Interdisciplinary skills and approaches in Genomics, Bioinformatics, RNA Sequencing, CyToF, FACS, Advanced Imaging, Biochemistry, Immunology and Cell Biology are strongly desired.

PI: Lbachir Benmohamed, PhD
View the posting in AP Recruit
Closing date: May 15, 2024 
 
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
 
FY 2023 By the Numbers: NIH Extramural Grant Investments in Research
Read NIH’s annual update on application, award and success rate data. NIH presents their most recent information for fiscal year (FY) 2023 enacted appropriations.
 
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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