UC Irvine School of Medicine

34th edition | June 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Another school year has come to a close, and we celebrated as 110 students graduated and entered the world of healthcare with their medical degrees.

This year’s commencement speaker was Solomon Thomas, defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys. He lost his sister to suicide in 2018, and spoke with compassion about the need for self-care and mental health resources. Read more about Solomon’s background and his address to this year’s graduates.

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	Research Links REM Sleep Apnea to Brain Changes, Memory Loss in Older Adults
	Their study suggests that low oxygen levels – known as hypoxemia – during REM sleep may contribute to injury in brain regions vital to memory, even in older adults without cognitive impairment. Read More


	Study Finds Home Healthcare Agencies Discontinuing Telehealth Post-Pandemic
	This study is the first to provide a comprehensive national picture of telehealth’s trajectory in home healthcare. Read More


	New Toolkit for Battling Brain Disorders
	NIH is funding research to develop a set of gene delivery systems for cells in the brain and spinal cord as part of its Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. Read More


	Study Finds How Liver, Kidneys Work Together to Support Healthy Aging
	A groundbreaking study from UC Irvine has uncovered an unexpected mechanism by which the body maintains healthy energy metabolism. Read More


	Study Offers Insights into Cardiovascular Disease by Mapping Organ Interactions
	UC Irvine researchers provide the first complete “map” of how organs interact by exchanging metabolites during cardiovascular disease progression. Read More


	Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, Awarded BrightFocus Foundation Glaucoma Research Grant
	The grant will allow Skowronska-Krawczyk to investigate the cumulative role of repeated intraocular pressure elevations in epigenetic reprogramming and aging. Read More

Opening of Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 10 marked a significant milestone in UC Irvine’s commitment to advancing medical research to predict, prevent and treat disease.
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	Class of 2025: Ready to Change the World for the Better
	UC Irvine celebrates the class of 2025 School of Medicine graduates with a heartfelt message from NFL defensive lineman Solomon Thomas: "You are forever healing people, saving lives and keeping families whole." Read More


	Meet the New Chair of the Department of Medicine
	Thu H. Le, MD, brings not only extensive experience and accolades to her new role, but also a perspective rooted in healing, compassion, service and impact. Read More


	Mission to Explore Space Medicine: COSMOS Rotation Takes Students to New Heights
	Graduating UC Irvine medical students Kaveri Curlin and Christopher Yang share their experience with COSMOS 401, a new four-week immersive rotation, “Concepts of Space Medicine and Orbital Systems.” Read More


	Alpesh N. Amin, MD, Named 2025-26 Council of Deans Fellow by AAMC
	The prestigious yearlong fellowship, beginning in September, is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in academic medicine. Read More


	UCI Medical Center Recognized for Excellence with Leapfrog 'A' Grade
	This achievement highlights the academic health system’s ongoing commitment to top-tier patient safety and quality care, consistently placing it among the top 30% of hospitals nationwide. Read More


	UCI Health is One of Becker’s Top Places to Work in Healthcare
	The prestigious list recognizes hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that invest in their coworkers' well-being, satisfaction and fulfillment. Read More


	Yulian Khagi, MD, and Zhina Sadeghi, MD, Recognized as Spring 2025 Rising Stars
	Yulian Khagi, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology & Oncology, and Zhina Sadeghi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Urology, were named recipients of the Spring 2025 Rising Stars Award. Read More


	UCI Health Leader Joins National Panel to Address Hospital Funding Challenges on Capitol Hill
	Randolph Siwabessy, CFO and senior vice president of UCI Health and the UC Irvine School of Medicine, joined national healthcare leaders in Washington, D.C., for a congressional briefing to discuss the financial pressures facing hospitals. Read More