November 2022  21st Edition
A Message from the Dean

Dear colleagues,

Fall is here and the holidays are just around the corner. As we make our way towards the end of the year, I’d like to reflect on the busy and exciting season we’ve had full of accolades and research awards.
 
Discover Row 1
UCI awarded $13.8 million federal contract to profile lipid nanoparticles
Findings will increase understanding of vaccine immune responses and side effects.
 
UCI is key member of multi-institutional, $126 million NIH brain mapping project
Campus to receive $10 million over five years for role in Cell Atlas Network.
 
Discover Row 2
CIRM awards UCI $2.7 million to create regenerative medicine training program
Brian Cummings, PhD, UCI professor in the Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has received a five-year, $2.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
 
UCI earns designation as CIRM Alpha Clinic with five-year, $8 million grant
Campus will launch micronetwork focused on expanding stem cell clinical trial access.
 
Discover Row 3
CIRM Funds New Therapy for Refractory and Metastatic Solid Cancers
Michael Demetriou, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurology at UCI has received a $1.4 million Quest Award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
 
Five UCI researchers recognized as top women scientists in the world
The ranking by Research.com offers more visibility into scientific achievements of women, who deserve an equal chance to be represented and praised for their work.
 
Discover 1 Article Rows
New UCI-led report Illustrates potential of precision genome editing in treating inherited retinal diseases
Improvements in technology and delivery techniques could revolutionize treatment of genetic disorders of vision.
 
UCI assistant professor is awarded $100,000 grant for her research into women’s cancers
Gina Lee, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular genetics at UCI, is one of 10 researchers to receive a $100,000 grant from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation for their innovative work in seeking cures for cancers affecting women.
 
Surprising discovery by UCI-led team links Piezo1 and cholesterol during brain development
New research may provide avenues for novel treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
 
Teach Row 1
Estée Lauder endowment establishes epigenetics fellowship at UCI
Award honors late professor-research Paolo Sassone-Corsi, PhD, and his groundbreaking work.
 
UCI launches Center for Neurotherapeutics to facilitate drug discovery and therapy delivery
The Center for Neurotherapeutics will be led by Albert LaSpada, PhD, and Robert Spitale, PhD.
 
Teach Row 2
Maheswari Senthil, MD, named inaugural John Wayne Cancer Foundation Endowed Chair in surgical oncology
Senthil was honored at a special investiture ceremony on Oct. 10, 2022.
 
UCI Train New Trainers program receives $28.6 million for primary care-based training in behavioral health and addiction medicine
The lead PI is Robert McCarron, DO, founder of the Train New Trainers (TNT) program.
 
Teach Row 3
The success of PRIME-LC
Five years ago, UCI was designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the US Department of Education. One of the original programs that has influenced all campus efforts to attain and maintain this HSI status is –The Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), led by Charles Vega, MD.
 
UCI School of Medicine earns sixth consecutive Apple Distinguished School recognition
UCI School of Medicine has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2022-2025. This recognition is given for innovation in learning, teaching and education environment. The School of Medicine has received this recognition continuously since 2012.
 
Teach 1 Article Rows
UCI Willed Body holds 2022 Ceremony of Thanks
On Saturday August 27, 2022, the UCI School of Medicine hosted a Willed Body Program Ceremony of Thanks to celebrate those who gave the gift of life and knowledge by donating their bodies to support the education of health professionals and to further scientific research.
 
Julie Youm, PhD, receives 2022 MedBiquitous Community Connector Award
Congratulations to Julie Youm, PhD, associate dean of medical education, compliance and quality, on receiving the 2022 MedBiquitous Community Connector award.
 
UCI School of Medicine PhD student group hosts coding workshops for area high schoolers
This summer, a UCI PhD student-run group, called ReachOut TeachOut (ROTO), hosted two computer coding workshops—one at Westminster High School and one at Santiago High School in Garden Grove—for 9th-12th graders.
 
School of Medicine hosts Open Medical School and Simulation Center workshops
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Office of Admissions hosted the first post-pandemic Open Medical School (OMS) event on Friday, October 22, 2022.
 
In memory of Lewis (Lew) Slater, MD
Lewis (Lew) Mark Slater, MD, passed away in New Jersey on August 21, 2022, at the age of 85. He was a former professor of medicine and pathology in the Department of Medicine at the UCI School of Medicine.
 
Remembering David Furnas, MD
David Furnas, MD, passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, 2022 at his home in Orange County, at the age of 91.
 
Heal Row 1
$2 million gift supports UCI Health hospital, cancer center in Irvine
UCI Health is pleased to announce a $2 million gift that will benefit the emergency department in the new $1.3 billion UCI Health — Irvine medical campus being built at the corner of Jamboree Road and Birch Street in Irvine.
 
Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute opens new home at UCI
Innovative design promotes wellness, enables expansion of clinical, teaching and research efforts.
 
Heal Row 2
Khouri-Hayde gifts support new UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, integrative health institute and patient care services
Long-time donors gift over $7 million to the university’s health enterprise.
 
UCI Health surgeon receives lifetime achievement award
The Liver Health Foundation has honored Dr. David K. Imagawa, a leading expert in minimally invasive liver and pancreatic surgery at UCI Health, with its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Heal Row 3
UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge raises $1 million for cancer research
Over 3,000 participants, donors and supporters gathered at Aldrich Park to ride, run and walk for innovative cancer research at the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge on Oct. 8, 2022.
 
Precision health perspectives
Daniel Chow, PhD, discusses how physicians can use artificial intelligence tools to benefit patients.
 
Heal 1 Article Rows
Donny W. Suh, MD, recipient of the 8th annual Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children's Vision Award
Dr. Suh has been named as the 2022 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award recipient in recognition of his unique approach to connecting vision to overall health by aligning pediatrics and eye care.
 
AMA honors UCI Health for promoting well-being of healthcare workers
The American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program honored UCI Health for its efforts to promote the well-being of its healthcare providers
 
UCI Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center re-certified by the Joint Commission
Our stroke team is the only academic Comprehensive Stroke Center in Orange County with a dedicated team of stroke neurologists, neurointerventionalists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and neurointensivists.
 
SOM in the News

What to know about RSV symptoms and transmission

Doctors explain multiples sclerosis, the autoimmune disease that affects patients from head to toe

UCI is ranked among nations top 10 public universities for eighth year in a row

Eating more artificial sweeteners may increase risk of heart disease

LEAD ABC supports Black medical students and patients

UCI-led study reveals computation-guided approach to suppressing cancer tumor growth

The sleep detectives
 
Calendar

Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 8 – UCI School of Medicine: Virtual Information Session

Dec. 23 – Jan. 2  UCI School of Medicine offices closed for Winter Holiday

 
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