November 5, 2024
Newsletter Sections

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

 
Announcements
 
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series
Nancy Carrasco, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics; Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
  • Community Lecture - Jan. 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. PT: "A Look Into the Black Box: Uncovering the Remarkable Biology of an Elusive Protein"
  • Scientific Lecture - Jan. 17, 2025, at Noon PT: "The Tale of the Sodium/Iodide Symporter (NIS): From Cloning to Structure"
Learn more about the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. 

Jan. 16–17, 2025
Location: The Beckman Center, Irvine, Calif. (Jan. 16); UCI Medical Education Building, Irvine, Calif. (Jan. 17) 


Register
 
School of Medicine Dean's Research Council Meeting
School of Medicine Dean Michael Stamos and Associate Dean for Research Administration William E. Bunney invite you to attend this quarterly meeting featuring two distinguished research presentations:

Seeing is Believing: Imaging Cellular Dynamics and Signals by Michael D. Cahalan, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Progress in Restoring p53 Functionality and Exploring Precision Diets to Enhance Efficacy of Cancer Therapeutics by Peter Kaiser, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Biological Chemistry

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5 to 6 p.m.
Via Zoom 


Join Zoom
 
Register Now! Master Your Proposal: Strategies for Success
Unlock the secrets to crafting a winning proposal with this two-part informational seminar series via Zoom. 

Speaker: Caron Miller, Director of Contracts & Grants, UCI School of Medicine
Why You Should Attend: Gain vital insights for your next successful proposal submission and learn directly from an expert in grant submissions.
Who Should Attend: All researchers at the School of Medicine looking to boost their proposal success rate.

Part 1: Best Practices for Building Strong and Convincing Budgets | Wednesday, Nov. 20, Noon to 1 p.m. 
Part 2: What Can Strengthen or Weaken Your Proposal Submission? |
Wednesday, Dec. 4, Noon to 1 p.m. 

Register
 
Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH, FRCSC
How We Can Innovate Multi-Center Clinical Trials and Train the Next Generation of Clinical Researchers, by Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH, FRCSC, Director of Clinical Research, Associate Professor of Orthopedics, University of Maryland

  • Coffee & Refreshments – 3:30 to 4 p.m.
  • Presentation – 4 to 5 p.m. 

During coffee and refreshments, you can meet Dr. Slobogean and your colleagues. The School of Medicine Research Development staff will host office hours to address research-related questions.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Sprague Hall, Conference Room 105


Register
 
Research Development Unit Office Hours: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3–4 p.m.
The UCI School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) will host office hours on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to address any research-related questions. This is an excellent opportunity for School of Medicine researchers to receive guidance on funding opportunities and grant proposal support and learn about our other services. We will be providing coffee and desserts. Registration is not required but will help us prepare to meet with you. To schedule a specific consultation, please contact somrd@hs.uci.edu.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3 to 4 p.m.
Location: Sprague Hall, Conference Room 105


Register
 
NSF CAREER Institute: Participant & Mentor Applications now being accepted!
NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) supports early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. 


Application deadline: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 

Learn more about the UCI NSF Career Institute
 
Accepting Applications for the UCI School of Medicine Clinical Trialist Training Program — Due Monday, Nov. 18, 2024
The School of Medicine’s Office of Research is pleased to offer the Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP). The goal is to increase the number of School of Medicine faculty who can be principal investigators on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with a senior investigator already running clinical trials. In addition, the trainees will be provided with educational resources to provide the foundational knowledge required for clinical trial administration.

Eligibility:
  • Interest in serving as a principal investigator on clinical trials
  • Any faculty appointment in the School of Medicine with an active clinical practice 
  • Commitment from department chair or division chief to dedicate 10% FTE to clinical trial activities.
  • Commitment from a senior investigator already engaged in clinical trials to serve as a mentor and support the mentee in developing an independent clinical trial portfolio (incentive will be provided to the senior investigator for their commitment)

To learn more about the CTTP and apply, please visit the School of Medicine’s Physician Scientist Resources.
 
Attention Graduate Students: Announcing Childcare Cost Support for Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Programs F99 Recipients
Beginning in fiscal year 2025, NIH will provide childcare cost support to individuals supported as full-time recipients of Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) programs during the F99 phase of the award. Read more

View active F99/K00 funding opportunities and notices. For assistance with your F99/K00 application, contact the School of Medicine Research Development Unit.
 
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Good News!
 
Barbara Jusiak, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics), was selected as a 2024 Beckman Young Investigator (BYI) by the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation for her project, “Macrophage Custom Programming with Synthetic Biology.” This four-year $600k grant will address a critical technical challenge in the life sciences using an innovative synthetic biology approach – how to control cell state precisely in the immune system in an environment/location-specific fashion, specifically to program macrophages to carry out user-defined functions. 

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.
 
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Funding Opportunities
 
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

For a curated, searchable and filterable list of funding opportunities announced by NIH in their weekly NIH guide listserv, check out the School of Medicine Funding Search Tool.

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, email the Research Development Unit (RDU).
Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities
 
A.P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship
The A.P. Giannini Foundation invites physician-scientists and junior researchers with 3 to 36 months of postdoctoral research experience to apply to the 2025 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship & Leadership Award. Postdoctoral researchers are eligible to apply to the 2025 program if they have completed no less than three months and no more than three years in their mentor’s laboratory as of Dec. 31, 2024.

The Fellowship and Leadership Award supports innovative research in the basic sciences and applied fields and trains fellows to become established investigators and to pursue scientific leadership positions in academia, industry, public and non-traditional career pathways. Research projects should advance the translation of biomedical science into preventions, treatments and cures for human diseases.

For questions about the application process, reach out to Dr. Leslie Thompson

Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, 3 p.m. 
 
Limited: 2025 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program
The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented young faculty in the chemical sciences. The program provides discretionary funding to faculty at an early stage in their careers in the form of an unrestricted research grant of $100,000. Nominees must hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment and be within the first six years of their independent academic careers at the time of submission of the nomination.

The campus may submit only one nomination; therefore, interested applicants (or those wishing to nominate others) should apply via UCI Review

Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
 
Microgrants available for community outreach, public policy and curriculum development
2024–25 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program: Microgrants of up to $4,000 will be awarded, on a rolling basis, to STEM groups led by master’s, PhD, postdoc, or professional students to design and execute projects that create dialogue with public officials, local community leaders and the public around issues of common concern. Read more

Public Engagement Training Content Microgrant Program: Stipends of $5,000 each will fund open access curriculum development in science communication and other public engagement skills. Research!America welcomes novel ideas to develop and test public engagement training content for those in STEMM fields. Read more

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
 
Call for Cancer Research Proposals
The UCI Cancer Research Institute is pleased to announce that funds are available through the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant. This institutional grant will fund several proposals for one year at a level up to $60,000 per award.

Eligibility: Investigators within the first six years of their first independent faculty position and in the following series are eligible: In Line, In Residence, Adjunct, Clinical-X, Clinical and Researcher. Awardees may not hold a competitive grant from a national agency (e.g. NIH, ACS etc.) or be a previous recipient of an ACS-IRG seed grant. Learn more and apply

Deadline: Monday, Nov. 18, 2024
All Faculty Funding Opportunities
 
Limited: NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM)
The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program solicitation was revised for the FY2024 competition, and prospective Principal Investigators are encouraged to read the solicitation carefully. The main goal of the S-STEM program is to enable low-income students with academic ability, talent or potential to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields.

Projects supporting scholars studying in disciplinary fields in which NSF provides research funding are eligible to apply to the S-STEM program, with the following exclusions: clinical degree programs, including medical degrees, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and others not funded by NSF, are ineligible degrees; Business school programs that lead to Bachelor of Arts or Science in Business Administration degrees (BABA/BSBA/BBA) are not eligible for S-STEM funding; master’s and doctoral degrees in business administration are also excluded. 

UCI may submit only two nominations (and preference will be given to UCI-led proposals); interested applicants should submit via UCI Review.

Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
 
Newly released ARPA-H funding announcements
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) accelerates better health outcomes by supporting high-potential, high-impact biomedical and health research that cannot be readily accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity. ARPA-H awardees are developing entirely new ways to tackle the hardest challenges in health. The FY24–26 Strategic Plan provides a blueprint detailing the agency's approach. Review past and active ARPA-H funding programs to get a sense of this agency’s research interests. Active programs:

If you are considering applying, please email somrd@hs.uci.edu.
 
FY 2025 NIH Loan Repayment Program Cycle Is Open
The NIH Loan Repayment Program offers applicants the opportunity to receive up to $100,000 towards qualified educational debt in exchange for agreeing to perform NIH mission-relevant research. Applications for FY 2025 LRP awards are open now through Nov. 21, 2024. Read more
 
CSUF/UCI-CFCCC Cancer Health Equity Research Program (CHERP) - Pilot Research Projects
The California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and the University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCI-CFCCC) are pleased to announce the Cancer Health Equity Research Program (CHERP) Pilot Projects 2024 funding round of one R03-like pilot project for $100,000 direct cost for one year. CHERP is a collaborative cancer-specific partnership between these two institutions that aim to support highly interactive pilot cancer health disparities research that will not only advance cancer health disparities knowledge, but also serve as foundational training in this area of need for underrepresented undergraduate (CSUF) and master’s level (CSUF/UCI) students.

Eligibility: All UC Irvine and CSUF faculty members are eligible to apply. An investigator from CSUF must partner with an investigator from UCI. Apply here

Deadline: Monday, Dec. 9, 2024   
 
AI Science at Scale Request for Proposals
The University of California (UC) system, in partnership with NNSA laboratories, is seeking proposals from UC researchers for collaborative projects that advance the frontiers of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at scale. The central goal is to bring together the intellectual power of the UC system, including 10 leading public research universities and three national laboratories, and develop scientific AI projects that benefit from computational scale while also harnessing the power of interdisciplinary AI and science and engineering research and expertise. 

Technical focus areas: Multiphysics Applications | Biological Systems | Materials Discovery. See the Request for Proposals (PDF)

Deadline: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
 
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Upcoming Seminars & Events
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
Deciphering the Language of Transcriptional Condensates in Health and Disease, by Benjamin R. SabariPhD, Assistant Professor, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall 
 
Meeting with Dr. Mike Lauer, Director, NIH Office of Extramural Research
The NIH grant application process is continuously evolving and can feel daunting at times. From scores to success rates, to specific aims, to paylines, many factors determine which submissions are competitive and successful. Join Research!America for a member’s only, off-the-record conversation with Dr. Mike Lauer for a deep dive into this dynamic landscape in FY25.

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.
Via Zoom


Register
 
Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar

Headshot of Lincy Antony.

Lincy Antony
Graduate Student
Devon A. Lawson, PhD, Lab

Headshot of Isam Adam.

Isam Adam
Graduate Student
Devon A. Lawson, PhD, Lab



Immune Regulation of BRCA1 Mutant Breast Cancerby Lincy Antony
Understanding and Targeting Regulatory T Cell Modulation of Microglia in Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis, by Isam Adam

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4 to 5 p.m. 
Location: Plumwood House Lecture Hall 
 
UCLA CTSI R Grant Writing Virtual Workshop
The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) will be hosting a workshop for investigators to learn about how to prepare successful R grant applications. View the agenda (PDF on Google Drive)

Thursday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to Noon 
Via Zoom


Register
 
NIH Career Development Grant Writing Workshop K-Club
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) has coordinated a K-Club grant writing series intended for early-career faculty and postdoctoral scholars preparing to submit applications for NIH Mentored Career Development awards (i.e., K grants). These awards are designed to promote the career development of scholars looking to transition to research independence.

Thursdays, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: UCI Campus, Hewitt Hall, Large Conference Room, Room 1042


Register
 
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Thursday Seminar Series
Is a Novel Peptide an Internal Switch for Chlamydial Persistence? by Asha Densi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UCI School of Medicine

Thursday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166
 
Scientist Solutions Vendor Fair
Scientist Solutions and UCI School of Medicine are hosting a life science vendo show. Register today to order your personal lunch from Mendocino Farms. Learn more (PDF Flyer)

Thursday, Nov. 7, Noon to 1:30 p.m. 
Location: Grassy area between Sprague Hall and Gillespie Neuroscience


Register
 
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Retreat
This invitation is open to members of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, clinicians, DOT leaders, shared resource teams, CHOC partners, community equity board members, established community partners, MET trainees, staff, postdoctoral trainees, graduate students and undergraduate students in cancer-related research labs. 

Friday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, Huntington Beach, Calif. 


Register
 
Center for Translational Vision Research (CTVR) Distinguished Speaker Series
Limit Risk for AMD by Eating Lower Glycemic Index Diet, by Allen TaylorPhD, Professor Emeritus, Nutrition at Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences; and Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine. Learn more on CTVR's event page.  

Friday, Nov. 8, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, 3rd Floor Cavanaugh Conference Room, or via Zoom

Join Zoom
 
Workshop on Spatial Transcriptomic Data Analysis with an Emphasis on 10x Genomics Visium
An introduction to data analysis workflow with both sequencing- and imaging-based spatial transcriptomics platforms, using 10x Genomics Visium and Xenium as examples. Learn more at the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub website. Registration is required. Fee is $50. Limited to 20 attendees.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Location: Sprague Hall, Room 105


Register
 
Doing Business with ARPA-H Industry Day
Join ARPA-H for an industry day aimed at providing tips, tricks and lessons learned about how to successfully locate and apply for research and development funding opportunities. Participants will have the chance to attend various sessions, ask questions and engage in informal conversations with staff from across the agency, and will be provided with in-depth information about the ARPA-H business model. Learn more

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Virtual Event 


Register
 
NIH Announces a Two-Part Virtual Event, NIH Grants Process Primer: Application to Award
Understanding the structure of NIH, the application process, policies, tools and systems, and knowing where to find valuable resources are key components to create a strong NIH application. The NIH is hosting a two-part event that will provide participants with the basics to help you in your role working with the NIH grants process from application preparation to award.

In Part One: An Overview of the Pre-Award Process, NIH experts will introduce participants to the NIH as an organization, key components of finding the right funding opportunity, the NIH team, application and more.

In Part Two: An Interactive Experience, participants will have the opportunity to view demos and engage during this next-level look at tools and systems used during the application process.

Nov. 13 & 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom


Register
 
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
Diving Deeper Into Unused Metabolomics Data to Discover Microbiome Derived Molecules and Their Biology, by Pieter C. DorresteinPhD, Professor, Departments of Pharmacology and Pediatrics, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Director, Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center; Co-Director, Institute for Metabolomics Medicine, UC San Diego

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall 
 
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Wednesday Seminar Series
Entry and Beyond: The Role of Viral Glycoproteins in Alphavirus Neuroinvasion and Persistence, by Melody Man Hing Li, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, UCLA. This event is co-sponsored by the UCI Center for Virus Research. 

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m.
Location: Tamkin Hall, F114
 
Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series
Unraveling the Genetics of Human Retinal Diseases: A Multiomics Approach, by Rui ChenPhD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, UCI School of Medicine 

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4 to 5 p.m.  
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House Lecture Hall and via Zoom 


Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom. 
 
CHOC Research Day 2024
Register now for CHOC Research Day 2024! This year’s event promises to showcase groundbreaking research, foster collaboration and celebrate innovation across our Research Institute focusing on pediatric brain health.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual and in-person (2nd floor of the Bill Holmes Tower)


Register
 
UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series
Metabolic Regulation of Melanoma Tumor Immunity, by Bin Zheng, PhD, Professor and Director of Melanoma Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai

Friday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: David G. Gills Conference Center (Sprague Hall 105) 

 
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Wednesday Seminar Series
The Intersection of Bacterial Metabolism, Pathogenesis and Innate Immunity, by Daniel A. Portnoy, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Molecular & Cell Biology and Plant & Microbial Biology, UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science and Rausser College of Natural Resources

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166
 
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
 
Junior Specialist
The Ezzati Lab is seeking a Junior Specialist with a background in neuroscience, public health, data science or related fields to join their interdisciplinary team for research in the field of headache disorders.

PI: Ali Ezzati, MD 
View the posting in AP Recruit
Closing Date: Dec. 31, 2024
 
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
 
What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) provide?
 
School of Medicine Research Collaboration Request Form
Interested in finding research collaborators but not sure where to start? Complete the UCI School of Medicine Research Collaboration Request Form, and a member of the School of Medicine Research Development Unit will be in touch with you shortly.
 
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.
COVID-19 Information
 
If you have a positive COVID-19 test, you must report online using the Occupational Health COVID-19 Intake Form. Please refer to the new guidelines posted on July 3, 2024.
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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