UC Irvine School of Medicine

42nd edition | April 2026

Dear Colleagues,

We recently celebrated a highlight of our academic year, Match Day! First held in 1952, Match Day was established by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) so that soon-to-be medical school graduates could all discover together where they would continue to learn and practice as residents for the next three to seven years.

This year, out of 102 matching grads, 74.4% are staying in California, with 43.1% staying in the UC system. In the best news, 21.6% of our grads will be staying on as Anteaters at UC Irvine!
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UC Sponsors SB 895 to Place a $23 Billion Bond to Fund Scientific Research in California on the November Ballot

The bond establishes the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to fund competitive research grants, low-interest loans and modernized research facilities focused on urgent statewide priorities.
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	Geoffrey W. Abbott, PhD, Named AAAS Fellow
	The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected Geoffrey W. Abbott, PhD, into its 2026 class of AAAS Fellows, recognizing his groundbreaking research into potassium ion channels. Read More


	2026 Faculty Retreat: Future Directions for Biomedical Research
	Attendees also celebrated a decade of strong leadership from Dean Stamos, recognizing the School of Medicine’s impressive growth under his guidance. Read More


	UC Irvine Researchers Explore Role of Viral-Derived DNA in Disease Response
	Identifying hundreds of new genes that contain viral-derived elements in our genome, researchers move closer to understanding viral-derived DNA’s role in disease response. Read More


	Headache on The Hill: Nan Cheng, MD, Advocates for Migraine Patients in Washington, D.C.
	Nan Cheng, MD, whose latest research explores how to lessen the pain of Botox treatments for patients with chronic migraine, attends bi-annual advocacy event. Read More


	UC Irvine School of Medicine Research Advanced to Top Eight in 2026 STAT Madness
	Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, and her research on reversing age-related vision decline, made it into the top eight teams in this year’s competition. Read More


	Unlocking the Cell's 'Gatekeeper': Researchers Discover Critical RNA Quality-Control Factor
	A study led by Professor Yongsheng Shi’s team has unveiled a previously undefined key mechanism within the cell: the LENG8 protein. Read More


	An Orchestra of Science: How Sophie Zaaijer, PhD, Is Advancing Precision Medicine
	Sophie Zaaijer, PhD, is working to make clinical trials more representative and inclusive, addressing gaps in precision medicine through research collaborations that echo her orchestral experience as a violist. Read More


	Gulab Zode, PhD, Receives Inaugural Cristina Kenney Grant for Vision-Saving Research
	The first Kenney Research Grant was awarded to Gulab Zode, PhD, for his work addressing the unsolved problem of vision loss in glaucoma patients that continues even when eye pressure is well controlled. Read More


	It's a Match: UC's Medical Students Find Out Their Next Steps
	After years of hard work, grueling schedules, and rigorous studies, medical students around the country and across the University of California learn where they’ll go next in their journeys as doctors. Read More


	Sigrid Burruss, MD, Named ACS Advocate of the Year
	The American College of Surgeons (ACS) named Sigrid Burruss, MD, the 2025 Surgeons Voice Advocate of the Year for her long-standing commitment to advancing surgical issues at both the state and national levels. Read More


	Match Day Driven by Mentorship
	Medical student Saman Andalib credits mentorship from UCI Health doctors for guiding his decision to specialize in orthopedic surgery. Read More


	Two Medical Students Advance to Grad Slam Finals
	At the annual student “research pitch” competition, Tessa Chou discussed “HIV’s last wake-up call,” and Celina Yang explained “how loneliness rewires the brain.” Read More


	Bryan K. Sun, MD, Elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation
	Bryan K. Sun, MD, is expanding clinical care and research for patients with genetic skin disorders — work recognized in part by his recent election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Read More


	Lilangi Ediriwickrema, MD, Elected to the NEI Council of Vision Editors Fellow Program
	In the National Eye Institute program, early-career vision scientists learn about academic peer review, the publication process, and editorial board processes. Read More


	First UCI Health Patient Treated for Essential Tremor with Incision-Free MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound
	The incision-free treatment is a breakthrough outpatient treatment option for patients living with essential tremor and tremor-predominant Parkinson’s disease. Read More


	Chad T. Lefteris Appointed to American Hospital Association Regional Board
	Chad T. Lefteris will advise on national health policy development and advocate for patients and the community. Read More


	Kidney Transplant Program Helps More Patients than Ever
	In 2025, the UCI Health Kidney Transplant Program added years and improved quality of life for 233 patients, the most in its history. Read More


	Deepti Pandita, MD, Honored with HIMSS Changemaker Award
	The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMMS) recognized Deepti Pandita, MD, as a national leader in the field of clinical and medical informatics. Read More


	Local Artwork at UCI Health – Irvine Adds Tranquility, Aids Patient Healing
	UCI Health – Irvine features an art gallery that creates a meditative space for patients and visitors who travel to the campus to receive care. Read More


	Novel ALS Therapy a 'Game-Changer' for Artist
	When David Luce was diagnosed with ALS, he was referred to neurologist Namita Goyal, MD, director of the UCI Health ALS & Neuromuscular Center. Read More