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35th edition | July 2025 Dear Colleagues, As I reflect on the end of another academic year, I am incredibly proud of the multifaceted contributions of the School of Medicine across our vibrant academic health system. We are on track for our highest year in research funding, and our scientists are leading groundbreaking studies that exemplify our commitment to discovery. Read More Aileen Anderson Named Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine During her tenure as director, research funding at the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center increased 3.5-fold, and its CIRM Alpha Clinic for Cell and Gene Therapy opened. Read More

Findings Offer Hope for Future ALS Treatment The findings suggest another aspect of RNA processing, which is the site of polyadenylation, may be equally important. Read More   Study Highlights Critical Link Among High Temps, Aging and Disease Risk Findings show that extreme heat, especially with older individuals, may further compromise the immune system and gut microbiome in ways that make people more susceptible. Read More

New Findings Could Help Restore Brain Function After a Stroke Researchers in the Flanagan Lab identify communication between brain cells and blood vessels, improving our understanding of brain formation and regenerative strategies for repairing the brain after an injury. Read More   Preventing Epilepsy Progression and Preserving Long-Term Memory An interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and engineers identifies a potential new treatment for preventing epilepsy progression and preserving long-term memory. Read More

Screening Algorithm Nearly Doubles Detection of Obstetric Patients at Risk for Deadly Heart Disease In a UC Irvine-led study of more than 30,000 pregnant and postpartum patients, a standardized risk-assessment algorithm dramatically improved the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Read More   Improved Understanding of Human Brain Development and Disorders The findings also inform an approach for creating stem cell-derived tools to deliver neurotherapeutics. Read More

Fifth Annual Research & Faculty Mentoring Awards Seventeen awards, 14 honorable mentions and countless accomplishments and words of gratitude added up to one very successful awards luncheon on June 5, 2025. Read More   Julie Youm, PhD, Receives 2025 GIR Vince Sheehan Service Award An Apple Distinguished Educator, Youm is a long-time contributor to the Group on Information Resources (GIR) community. Read More

Ultramarathon Runner & Researcher Asuka Eguchi, PhD, Goes the Distance Eguchi credits her background as a runner with preparing her for scientific discovery. Read More   Munjal Acharya, PhD, Awarded 2025 Basic Science College of Health Sciences Team Research Award The award recognizes College of Health Sciences faculty members who work to advance health through interdisciplinary research collaborations. Read More

Renowned Integrative Oncology Expert Joins UCI Health Gary E. Deng, MD, an internationally recognized pioneer in integrative medicine, joins UCI Health as director of the new Integrative Oncology Program at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Read More   Heart Valve Developed at UC Irvine Shines in Early-Stage Preclinical Testing The Iris Valve aims to treat very young children with congenital cardiac defects. Read More

Defining Optimal Strategies for Skull Base Reconstruction UCI Health rhinologist Edward C. Kuan, MD, led a global team of experts to elevate care by compiling the recently published “Expert Strategies: Skull Base Reconstruction­ Global Perspectives, Insights, and Algorithms through a Mixed Methods Approach.” Read More   UCI Health Designated Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes by Leapfrog, ADA Established in 2024, the first-of-its-kind national recognition program honors acute and specialty care hospitals that provide safe, high-quality care for patients living with diabetes. Read More

How to Know If You’ve Had a ‘Silent Stroke,' According to Neurologists | Parade How to Pack a Travel First-Aid Kit | The New York Times Scientists Find That Just 5 Minutes of Brisk Walking Boosts Brain Health – Here’s How | Prevention Aspirin ‘May Be Harmful’ to Patients with Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases | Healio Top of the Class 2025: Irvine’s Amazing Grads | Irvine Standard Living to Die Well | The New York Times Scientists Create Next Generation of Tools in Battle Against Brain Disease | Broad Institute SEE ALL NEWS July 11-12 – Fourth Annual Spine by the Sea Symposium July 16 – Noel Drury M.D., Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Speaker Series: Early Adversity and the Developing Brain: Leveraging Developmental Neuroscience to Promote Youth Mental Health Aug 8 – Neuropolitics Lecture Series: From Democracy to Autocracy -Suicide by False Belief Aug 8 – 2025 White Coat Ceremony Aug 12 – School of Medicine Night at the New Swan Shakespeare Theatre SEE ALL EVENTS UC Irvine School of Medicine Strategic Plan UCI Health SOMNews@uci.edu

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