| | |
| Congratulations to the School of Medicine Junior Faculty Research Grant Awardees! |
| The overall goal of this funding mechanism is to help junior senate faculty members in the School of Medicine obtain extramural funding and to promote collaborative interdisciplinary research. Applications are evaluated based on the potential for positive impact on future extramural funding. Interdisciplinary research is encouraged, and this competition is released annually.
|  | Matthew Rose, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pathology
Probing Differential Susceptibility of Motor Neurons in Neurologic Diseases |  | Momoko Watanabe, PhD, Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Neurobiology
Modeling Areal-Specific Cortical Connectivity Defects in Autism Using Patterned Human Neocortical Organoids |  | Ran Jing, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biological Chemistry
Engineering Multi-Lineage Stem Cell-Derived Immune Cells to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy | 
| Shivashankar Othy, PhD, Assistant Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
Biomechanical Principles of Solid Tumor Immunity: Role of Piezo1 in CD8 T cells
| |
| | |
| | |
| KR Proposal Development Update: Abstract Entry Required |
| Entering text in the Abstract field in KR Proposal Development (PD) is now required prior to submitting proposals into workflow, as of March 26, 2026. This field is for internal use only and intended to help UC Irvine leadership identify interdisciplinary research opportunities, match researchers with funding prospects, and connect researchers with potential extramural sponsors. The Abstract text will only be visible to UCI employees via the Contracts/Grants Adhoc Query.
If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate Contracts and Grants Officer or Jeff Warner. | |
| | |
| Highlighting UC Irvine’s Shared Core Facilities for Researchers — The Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCF) |
| Join this webinar to learn about the Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCF). The FCF provides researchers with access to advanced flow cytometry instrumentation, high-dimensional analysis tools, and expert technical support to enable cutting-edge immunological and biomedical research.
Speaker: Michael Hou, PhD, Manager, Flow Cytometry Core Facility
Tuesday, April 21, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| How will AI/ML transform your research ... |
| And how can the Office of Research (OR) and the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science (ICS) help? As a starting point, they would like to gather some brief information about the current involvement of AI/ML in the UC Irvine research community. The information gathered will be used to develop strategies, identify critical needs, generate collaborations and organize efforts to pursue major funding opportunities.
Deadline: March 31, 2026 | |
| | |
| Call for Applications: Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Award |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine is pleased to announce a 2026 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 $50,000 grant to a PhD mentor and PhD student team of UC Irvine School of Medicine faculty member and graduate academic researcher.
Deadline: April 9, 2026, by 5 p.m. | |
| | |
| Highlighting UC Irvine’s Shared Core Facilities for Researchers — The Optical Biology Core and the Facility for Imaging & Brain Research |
| Join this webinar to learn about these two shared core facilities: the Optical Biology Core and Facility for Imaging & Brain Research.
The Optical Biology Core (OBC) provides researchers access to state-of -the-art light microscopes, software for 3D and 4D analysis and technical support. Speaker: Adeela Syed, PhD, Manager of OBC
The Facility for Imaging and Brain Research (FIBRE) enables researchers to conduct cutting-edge research on brain structure, function and connectivity using high-resolution MRI technologies. Speaker: Craig Stark, PhD, Operations Director of FIBRE
Tuesday, April 14, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Seeking Volunteer Judges for Excellence in Research Projects |
| Faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and other senior laboratory staff are invited to judge Biological Sciences 199 Excellence in Research projects. There is a large group of 140 student presenters this year, and your help is needed to evaluate their work and select finalists for research awards. Volunteers will evaluate written reports and posters. The poster session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon. Note: Judges will only attend a single 90-minute time slot.
If interested, please complete this brief survey. Detailed instructions will be emailed to you. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 3. Questions? Contact Sean Ostlund or Shahrdad Lotfipour. | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Geoffrey Abbott, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics), was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Abbott is recognized for groundbreaking research into the function, physiology and pathophysiology of potassium ion channels, including discovery of their direct regulation by neurotransmitters, plant and animal metabolites, solute transporters and KCNE proteins.
Do you or someone on your team have research-related good news to report (e.g., research funding/award, publication, other accolade)? We would like to know! Please fill out this short Good News submission form.
| | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty. For more funding opportunities and resources to help in your funding search, visit the Funding Opportunities page.
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, contact the RDU.
Considering applying for a Limited Funding Opportunity? Typically, you submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research via UCI Review. If the opportunity is not listed, contact the RDU.
| |
| | |
|
| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)
The Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA) provides $120,000 annually for two years, intended to cover a portion of the scholar’s salary — approximately 40% of their time — allowing them the protected space needed to fully engage in the program’s intensive training and research activities.
Deadline: May 4, 2026 | |
| | |
|
| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
ARPA-H Funding OpportunitiesThe Developing self-monitoring ecosystems to “know thyself” (Delphi) program will spur a new development ecosystem that provides quick access to cutting-edge bioelectronics and sensing strategies. This approach will spur innovation with tiny, smart, next-generation “chiplets” that optimize delivery of real-time insights of important internal signals like hormones, immune markers, and therapeutic drug levels. Solution Summary Deadline: April 8, 2026The One Comprehensive Universal Radiotherapy for Everyone (1-CURE) program will develop a single, rapid, low-cost, and accessible radiotherapy approach to battle all types of cancer, including local, metastatic and RT-resistant cancers. Solution Summary Deadline: April 15, 2026 | |
| | |
| Center of Excellence Impact of Cannabinoids Across the Lifespan (ICAL) 2026 Pilot Grant |
| The NIH-supported UCI Center of Excellence for studying the Impact of Cannabinoids Across the Lifespan (ICAL) includes a Pilot Grant Program with the goal of fostering independent and collaborative research on the influences of cannabinoid exposure during different life stages. The purpose of the Pilot Grant program is to capitalize on the research expertise within the UC Irvine community to integrate innovative ideas into ICAL research programs and to gain insight into age-specific effects of cannabinoid drugs on the brain and other organ systems.
The center is accepting proposals for Basic Science pilot grants of up to $25,000 total costs for the funding period of 6/1/26 to 5/31/27. This funding opportunity is open to all UC Irvine faculty members (senate and non-senate) of all ranks.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
| |
| | |
| Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Pilot Studies Award |
| UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) is pleased to announce a new call for the Pilot Studies Program. A minimum of two one-year awards in the amount of $25,000 will be conferred in this round.
Purpose: To encourage early exploration of research ideas that address growing health challenges and add to the evidence base of integrative health practices.
Eligibility: Principal Investigators (PIs) must be full-time UC Irvine faculty from any school or discipline. Junior and mid-career faculty, as well as established investigators, pursuing novel research lines are encouraged to apply.
Eligible Projects: Integrative health research projects currently not funded and aimed at obtaining preliminary results for a full application for extramural funds will be given priority. Emphasis will be placed on innovation and transformative potential of submitted proposals. The content of proposals, while linked to applicants’ current research, should demonstrate a clear evolution towards novel, relevant and untested research areas.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
| | Back to top | | | |
| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
| | |
| Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series |
|
Structural Biology of Telomerase Activity and Interactions at Telomeres, by Yao He, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
| |
| | |
| Department of Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar |
|
|  Nathaniel Addonizio
Graduate Student
|  Angela Li
Graduate Student
| |
|
Muscling Towards Regenerative Therapies with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, by Angela Li, Graduate Student, Michael R. Hicks, PhD, Lab, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Wednesday, April 1, 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall | |
| | |
| Stem Cell Seminar Lecture Series |
| Using 3D Engineered Cardiac & Skeletal Muscle Tissues for DMD Disease Modeling & Drug Discovery, by David Mack, PhD, Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Bioengineering, University of Washington. Hosted by the UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, April 3, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th Floor)
| |
| | |
| Experimental Pathology Research Conferences |
| Liquid Biopsy Approaches in Neurofibromatosis Type 1, by Jeff Szymanski, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic
Monday, April 6, 11 a.m. to Noon PT
Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 955 3602 9351/ Passcode: 998046 | |
| | |
| Feedback Wanted: Developing the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027–2031 |
| NIH seeks community feedback on the next Agency-Wide Strategic Plan. This plan will guide their work over the next five years to fulfill their mission.
NIH will hold webinars to gather input from the research community, stakeholders and the public on the framework that will inform development of the plan:
Wednesday, April 8, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT
Via Webinar
| |
| | |
| Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series |
| Molecular Choreography of Piezo1 in Development and Repair, by Medha M. Pathak, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine Wednesday, April 8, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
|
|  Alan G. Barbour, MD
Distinguished Professor
Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
|  Matthew M. Zahn, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rady Children’s Health
| |
|
Thursday, April 9, 9 a.m.
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166 | |
| | |
| UC Irvine Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome Research Seminar Series |
| The Interferonopathy of Down Syndrome: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications, by Kelly Sullivan, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Hosted by the UC Irvine Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS).
Friday, April 10, 11 a.m. to Noon PT
Via Zoom
| |
| | |
| Join the Southern California Flow Cytometry Association (SoCal Flow) for our local flow cytometry conference on April 13–14!
- Get exposure to different flow applications and fields
- Practice your poster talks by submitting an abstract in a low-pressure, personal environment
- Last, but not least, breakfast, lunch, and a happy hour will be provided.
April 13–14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: The Beckman Center, 100 Academy Way, Irvine, CA 92617 | |
| | |
| Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series |
| Artificial Intelligence in Support of Teaching & Mentoring, presented by Brian Sato, MD, and Mark Warschauer, PhD. Monthly on Mondays, presented by Nimisha Parekh and Brian Cummings, Senior Associate Deans of Faculty Development, is a monthly seminar series covering a wide range of topics on faculty development.
Monday, April 13, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Seminar Series |
| Investigating the Neuropsychological Effects of Psychedelics and Their Effect on Emotional Circuits in the Rat Brain, by Emma Robinson, PhD, Professor of Pharmocology, School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol. Hosted by the UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
Wednesday, April 15, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Rady Children's Health and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series |
| New Frontiers in Retinal Gene Therapy, by Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Wednesday, April 15, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
| |
| | |
| Stata: Introduction to Machine Learning and AI |
| This free noontime workshop (75 minutes) will briefly review the history of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), introduce the concepts and jargon, and demonstrate how to use these tools in Stata. Specific examples will include Lasso and elasticnet methods, Bayesian methods and MCMC, support vector machines (SVM) using Python integration, random forests and gradient boosting machines using H2O, and the user-written commands "chatgpt," "claude," "gemini," and "grok."
Instructor: Chuck Huber, PhD
Wednesday, April 15, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
| |
| | |
| Imaged-Based Spatial Transcriptomics: From Technology to Analysis | Panel Discussion |
| Hear quick, high-impact presentations (three 15-minute talks), join lively discussions, and network with peers to spark fresh ideas and collaborations driving the next wave of discovery in single-cell biology. Speakers: Jenny Wu, PhD, Fangyuan Ding, PhD, and Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD Learn more about this panel discussion hosted by the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub.
Wednesday, April 15, 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: UC Irvine Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Thorp Conference Center | |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| Molecular Genetics of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma: Virulence and Vaccine Development, by Roman Ganta, MSc, PhD, Curators' Distinguished Professor & Mckee Endowed Chair Professor, University of Missouri
Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166
| |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| Identifying Viral and Host Determinants of Neuroinvasion, by Audrey Loaiza, Graduate Student, Koyuncu Lab, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, April 16, 9 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagadayunan to join via Zoom. | |
| | |
| Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series |
| Light Signaling in the Postmortem Human Retina, by Frans Vinberg, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UC Irvine School of Medicine Wednesday, April 22, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series |
| Regulation of Cutaneous Antiviral Immunity, by Megan Orzalli, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Thorp Conference Center, 4001 Gross Hall | |
| | |
| Department of Radiological Sciences Research Seminar Series |
| Non-Invasive Histotripsy Cancer Treatment: The Road from Bench to Bedside, by Zhen Xu, PhD, Li Ka Shing Endowed Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Radiology and Neurosurgery, University of Michigan
Friday, April 24, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, 856 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA, and Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Campus-Wide Symposium on Basic Cancer Research |
| Join the 2026 Campus-Wide Symposium on Basic Cancer Research, a full day of engagement featuring expert speakers, dynamic lectures and poster sessions showcasing emerging research, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across disciplines.
The keynote lecture on DNA Damage and Hepatocyte Senescence in Hepatocellular Tumorgenesis will be given by Michael Karin, PhD, director of the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute. This symposium is hosted by the UC Irvine Cancer Research Institute and sponsored by the UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Friday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Sue Gross Auditorium, 854 Health Sciences Rd., Irvine, CA | |
| | |
| UC Irvine Center for Neural Circuit Mapping 2026 Conference: "Neural Circuits in Health & Disease |
| Join the Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM) for their 2026 conference on “Neural Circuits in Health & Disease.” This conference will provide a platform to discuss and explore how neural circuits operate under normal conditions and in disease states — knowledge that is essential for developing innovative treatments for neurological disorders. Submit abstracts and register for the conference by May 1. Aug. 17–19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Irvine Marriott, Irvine, CA | |
| | |
| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Postdoctoral Fellow - Neurological Clinical Informatics and Data Science Lab |
| The Neurological Clinical Informatics and Data Science Lab led by Ali Ezzati, MD, is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellow to work on clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The position involves large-scale data analysis, digital health, and translational research. Candidates with strong quantitative and clinical research backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please reach out if interested or share with potential candidates.
Closing Date: May 31, 2026 | |
| | |
| 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.
| | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| NIH's Path to a Simpler Funding Opportunity Landscape |
| NIH is streamlining the landscape for Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs, or funding opportunities) and the application process. We are placing greater emphasis on investigator-initiated science rather than asking researchers to align their work with highly specific funding opportunities.
NIH Institutes and Centers still retain the ability to issue targeted funding opportunities when there is a strong programmatic need. These announcements are forecasted on Grants.gov as a way to help the research community prepare their ideas in advance of a funding opportunity being issued. That said, forecast listings are informational, and some may not result in a published opportunity. To support the communication of areas of scientific interest, investigators can also review the topics listed within the new Highlighted Topics portal. Read more.
| |
| | |
| What are the Components of a Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) Application and What Should be Included? |
| If you are preparing a Collaborative International Research Project (PF5) application, understanding what belongs in each required and optional component can help ensure your submission is complete, responsive and clearly structured for review. Read more.
| |
| | |
| Sign up for the Office of Research Listserv & Keep Updated |
| | To keep up to date with the latest updates from the Office of Research amidst all of the federal funding changes, be sure to subscribe to the CG-News listserv. You can sign up by sending a blank email to: cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu. Also, bookmark the Office of Research Impact of Federal Executive Orders and Directives on Federal Grants and Contracts. | |
| | |
| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
| | |
| | |
| What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists? |
| Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduces clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
| | Back to top | | | |
|
