|
We Will Renew Our Contract with DNASTAR for Lasergene Software
|
Because of your quick and definitive response, the School of Medicine, in conjunction with the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, will renew the subscription for Lasergene. Those of you who use this software will continue to use it uninterrupted. Questions? Contact Emily Dawidoff.
|
|
|
Vote for UC Irvine in Round 4 of STAT Madness This Week!
VOTE NOW
|
Our team has made it to the quarterfinals for STAT Madness! Hosted by STAT, this annual competition brings together the best biomedical research from the past year. Research from institutions across the country face off against each other in a bracket-style matchup in which votes determine the winner. We need your votes to move our team into the next round.
Selma Masri, PhD: "Circadian control of tumor immunosuppression affects efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade" vs. Carnegie Mellon University
To vote, you will need to create a free account. You can vote up to five times per round! Voting in this round is shorter than in past rounds. Submit your votes by Thursday, March 27, at 1 a.m. PT. Vote now for this important research and help send UC Irvine to the semifinals!
|
|
|
Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Award
NEXT WEEK
Call for Applications
|
The UC Irvine School of Medicine is pleased to announce a 2025 call for applications for the Robert & Sylvia Mapel Research Innovation Award. This award is aimed at promoting the early exploration of high-risk research ideas focused on emerging areas of basic and applied biomedical science. Funding will support one $45,000 grant to a PhD mentor and PhD student team of UC Irvine School of Medicine faculty member and graduate academic researcher.
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 3, 2025, by 5 p.m.
|
|
|
Alert for NIH Fellowship Parent Funding Opportunities with Due Dates on April 8 and May 7
|
If applying to a parent Fellowship opportunity (PA-23-260, PA-23-261, PA-23-262, PA-23-263 or PA-23-272) for the April 8 or May 7, 2025 standard due date, you must use FORMS-H application forms and FORMS-H instructions. NIH will accept candidate biosketches with or without grades for applications submitted using FORMS-H.
If applying to a non-parent Fellowship opportunity (e.g., PAR-25-234, PAR-25-250, PAR-23-109, RFA-OD-24-007 or PAR-25-021), you must use FORMS-I application forms and FORMS-I instructions.
|
|
|
From the Office of Research: Federal Communications
|
Due to shifts in the federal agency funding landscape, do not sign any certifications or acknowledgments, complete any surveys, or respond regarding grant compliance, change in abstract or scope of work, or project activities. Instead, forward such communications to Jeff Warner, Senior Director, Sponsored Projects Administration. Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) in the Office of Research will handle these matters. If you have trouble getting in touch with your Sponsored Programs offices/Contracts and grants office, contact Nancy Lewis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration. Learn more about the impact of federal executive orders and directives on federal grants and contracts.
For other questions or concerns, contact Paul Lekutai, Director, Federal and Non-Federal Sponsored Projects, or Jeff Warner.
|
|
|
Register Now! Master Your Proposal: Strategies for Success
|
Expand your grantsmanship toolbox with this two-part informational seminar series!
Presenter: Caron Miller, Director of Contracts & Grants, UC Irvine 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 | Slides & Webinar Recording can be accessed on the RDU’s Webinar Recordings page (UCINetID sign-in required).
Part 2: What Can Strengthen or Weaken Your Proposal Submission? | Wednesday, April 9, Noon to 1 p.m.
|
|
|
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series
|
Adrian F. Hernandez, MD, MHS, Vice Dean and Executive Director, Clinical Research Institute; Distinguished Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
- Community Lecture - Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m.: "Speeding up Science: How Everyone Matters!"
- Resident/Fellow Research Showcase – Wednesday, April 23, 10:30 a.m.
- Scientific Lecture - Wednesday, April 23, Noon: "Accelerating Evidence Generation: AI or HI or Both?"
Learn more about the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
April 22–23
Location: UCI Beall Applied Innovation, Irvine, Calif. (April 22); UCI Medical Center, Orange, Calif. (April 23)
|
|
|
Register Now! Learn About the UCI Biospecimen Repository
|
Presenter: Maheswari Senthil, MD, FACS, Chief and Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Dr. Maheswari Senthil will provide an overview of the newly launched Biospecimen Repository and answer any questions you may have. The UCI Biospecimen Repository is an IRB-approved study that will enable investigators to enroll patients treated at UC Irvine to a research-directed biological sample collection protocol. This repository allows for the collection of clinically annotated, high-quality biological samples utilizing stringent collection protocols. The overarching goal of this initiative is to facilitate the collection of precious biological samples to promote translational research and encourage multidisciplinary collaborations between clinical researchers and basic scientists.
Thursday, April 24, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom
|
|
|
Seeking Volunteers to Judge Biological Sciences 199 Excellence in Research Projects
|
Faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and other senior laboratory staff are invited to judge BioSci 199 Excellence in Research projects. There is a large group of student presenters this year and your help is needed to evaluate their work and select finalists for research awards. Volunteers may choose to evaluate written reports, posters or a combination of the two. The poster session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon. Note: Judges will only attend a single 90-minute time slot.
If interested, please complete this brief survey to indicate your preferences. Detailed instructions will be emailed to you. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 4.
Questions? Contact Geoff Abbott, Sean Ostlund or Shahrdad Lotfipour.
|
|
|
|
Rongsheng Jin, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics), received an NIH R01, “Structural Studies of the OrfX-type Progenitor Toxin Complex of Botulinum Neurotoxin.” Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are bacterial toxins causing the paralytic botulism syndrome, some of which have also been developed into effective medicines and popular cosmetics. His team proposes to study the structure and function of the OrfX-type progenitor toxin complex of BoNTs. This knowledge could be harnessed to help the development of therapeutics to treat and/or prevent botulism and potentially shed light on the pathogenesis of other OrfXs/P47-associated bacterial toxins beyond BoNTs.
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.
|
|
|
|
| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)
*Formerly known as the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award.
Deadline: May 12, 2025
|
|
|
|
| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
UCI Genetic Epidemiology Research Institute Research Support Opportunity
Eligibility: Full-time UCI faculty including those in the Clinical and Adjunct Research series who have an established an account with the NIH All of Us Researcher Workbench
Rolling deadline. Next available deadline: March 31, 2025
|
|
|
Limited: Campbell Foundation Award
|
The Campbell Foundation supports nonprofit organizations conducting clinical, laboratory-based research into the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and related conditions and illnesses. Most grant funding is between $60,000 to $100,000.
UC Irvine may nominate one candidate to apply per year. Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via InfoReady.
Deadline: April 1, 2025
|
|
|
Community-Engaged Research Funding Opportunity
|
The Campus-Community Research Incubator Program (CCRI) is a small funding mechanism designed to foster collaborative, research-oriented projects between university researchers and community organizations. Annually, there are two levels of grant funding available: Mini CCRI: Up to $5,000 (for capacity- and partnership-building applications) and Exploratory CCRI funds: Up to $10,000 in total costs (for collection of pilot or formative data, QI and evaluation-based applications).
Deadline: April 7, 2025
|
|
|
Limited: Brain Research Foundation Scientific Innovations Award
|
The Brain Research Foundation has invited UC Irvine to nominate a senior faculty member (Associate Professor/Full Professor) for the Scientific Innovations Award (SIA), which provides funding for innovative science in both basic and clinical neuroscience. This program is designed to support creative, exploratory, cutting-edge research in well-established research laboratories, under the direction of established investigators. The objective of the SIA is to support projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a high likelihood of producing important findings.
The campus may submit no more than one proposal. Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via InfoReady.
Deadline: April 14, 2025
|
|
|
Research Funding Opportunity: Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Pilot Studies Award
|
The UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Pilot Studies Program has a new call. A minimum of two one-year awards in the amount of $25,000 will be conferred in this round.
Purpose: To encourage early exploration of research ideas that address growing health challenges and add to the evidence base of integrative health practices.
Eligibility: Principal Investigators (PIs) must be full-time UCI faculty from any school or discipline. Junior and mid-career faculty, as well as established investigators, pursuing novel research lines are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: May 1, 2025
|
|
| Upcoming Seminars & Events |
|
Department of Neurology Special Seminar
|
RNA Biology in Repeat Expansion Diseases, by Eric T. Wang, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine
Wednesday, March 26, Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Hybrid event at UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Gross Hall, 4th Floor, and via Zoom
|
|
|
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar Series
|
HIV Persistence, Pathogenesis and Neuropathology, by Thomas Zaikos, MD, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m.
Location: Plumwood 166
|
|
|
CHOC and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series
|
Neighborhood-Based Action, Strategy, Engagement and Improvement, by Andrew F. Beck, MD, MPH, Attending Physician, Division of General & Community Pediatrics and the Division of Hospital Medicine; Director, Population Health/Health Equity Research and Innovation at the Office of Population Health and the Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinatti College of Medicine
Thursday, March 27, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
|
|
|
Center for Translational Vision Research (CTVR) Distinguished Speaker Series
|
Ancestral Photoreceptor Diversity as the Basis of Visual Behaviour, by Tom Baden, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex; Director, Sussex Center for Sensory Neuroscience and Computation. Learn more on CTVR's event page.
Friday, March 28, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, 3rd Floor Cavanaugh Conference Room, or via Zoom
|
|
|
Experimental Pathology Research Conferences
|
Mitochondria From Early Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Demonstrates Minimal Metabolic Alterations in a Cytoplasmic Hybrid Model, by Jacob Dohl, PhD student, Elizabeth Head Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Linear and Non-linear Relationships Between Age and Alzheimer’s Disease Fluid and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Down Syndrome, by Nazek Queder, PhD student, Elizabeth Head Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Monday, March 31, 11 a.m. to noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and via Zoom
|
|
|
Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
|
|  Chaorong Chen
Graduate Student
Wei Li Lab
|  Alexander Hsu
Graduate Student
Kai Kessenbrock Lab
|  Ning-Hsiang Hsu
Graduate Student
Feng Qiao Lab
| |
|
- Multimodal Epigenetic Sequencing Analysis of Cell-free DNA Identifies Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis and Progression, by Chaorong Chen
- Deciphering the Role of Tumor-Associated Neutrophils in Breast Cancer Immunosuppression, by Alexander Hsu
- Structural Mechanism of Utilization of Unnatural Redox Cofactors in a Nature Enzyme, by Ning-Hsiang Hsu
Wednesday, April 2, 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Plumwood House / Show Denko Lecture Hall
|
|
|
Department of Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar
|
|  Elaine Lai
Graduate Student
Asuka Eguchi, PhD, Lab
|  Carolline Rodrigues Menezes
Graduate Student
Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD, Lab
| |
| - Dual Vector Design for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Cardiomyopathy, by Elaine Lai
- Generation of Humanized MERTK Models for Genome Editing, by Carolline Rodrigues Menezes
Wednesday, April 2, 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House Lecture Hall
|
|
|
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar Series
|
Emerging Roles of Biomolecular Condensates and RNA-Binding Proteins in RNA Processing, by Yoseop Yoon, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, April 3, 9 a.m.
Location: Plumwood 166
|
|
|
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. The objective of this program is to prepare candidates for submission of NIH K awards, to create the strongest possible funding proposal, and guide scholars through the K application components. The workshop series is broken up into four informational sessions. Apply by April 1.
Thursdays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Location: UCI Campus, Hewitt Hall, Large Conference Room, Room 1042
|
|
|
Enroll Now! PhD Students & Postdocs: NIH Fellowship Success
|
Instructor: Dr. David Fruman (Academic Director, GPS-STEM)
We encourage students in their second or third year of PhD training to enroll, with the goal of submitting (or resubmitting) a fellowship application in August or December of 2025. Early-stage postdocs are also welcome. The course number is University Studies 231, and course code is 87970. Postdocs can join as auditors by emailing Dr. Fruman.
Thursdays, Starting April 3, 4 to 4:50 p.m.
Location: NatSci 1, Room 1114
|
|
|
Stem Cell Seminar Lecture Series
|
Modeling Synapse Development in Stem Cell-Derived Human Neurons, by Soham Chanda, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, April 4, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th Floor)
|
|
|
Department of Physiology & Biophysics Dissertation Defense
|
IL15 Enhances Innate Lymphoid Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Immunity in Brain Metastasis, by Timothy P. McMullen, Graduate Student, Devon A. Lawson, PhD, Lab, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Friday, April 4, 2 p.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Thorp Conference Center 4001, Gross Hall 4th Floor, or via Zoom
Passcode: 140640
|
|
|
Experimental Pathology Research Conferences
|
Immunoprotective States and Vaccine Development, by Raymond Johnson, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine
Monday, April 7, 11 a.m. to noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and via Zoom
|
|
|
Inaugural MAXImizing Training in MUScle Research (MAXIMUS) Retreat: Poster Abstract Submission Deadline – March 29
DEADLINE THIS WEEK
|
The UCI Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center presents the Inaugural MAXIMUS Retreat centered on cutting-edge work in mechanisms and therapeutics of neuromuscular diseases. Activities will include talks from invited leaders in the field, current MAXIMUS awardees, and selected abstracts from UCI trainees, a career panel luncheon, and a poster session with awards. Additionally, a seed grant funding opportunity for trainees will be announced at the event.
Highlighted speakers: Tom Lloyd (Baylor College of Medicine), Alessandra Sacco (Sanford Burnham Prebys) and Stephen Tapscott (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center)
Students, postdocs and clinical fellows are encouraged to showcase their work by presenting a poster/talk. Abstract submission deadline (poster only): March 29, 2025
Thursday, April 10, 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB) Auditorium 1010
|
|
|
CHOC Research Institute: Pediatric and Lifespan Data Science Conference
|
Join CHOC for the second Pediatric and Lifespan Data Science Conference! This event will explore the intersection of precision medicine and artificial intelligence, suicide prediction and the management of complex medical patients. Perspectives from patients, families, healthcare providers, health systems, data scientists and insurance companies will be featured.
April 10–11
Location: The Westin Anaheim Resort
Use this code to waive the registration fee: UCIMED100
|
|
|
Stata Lunch Series
|
Presented by Chuck Huber, PhD, StataCorp. The UCI Center for Statistical Consulting and ICTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research and Design units are pleased to announce our series of FREE virtual courses on Stata! Stata is a popular statistical analysis software that many researchers find useful. All workshops are at noon via Zoom.
- Wednesday, April 16: Introduction to Survey Statistics Using Stata (90 minutes) | Register
- Wednesday, May 7: Structural Equation Modeling (150 minutes) | Register
- Wednesday, June 4: Latent Class Analysis Using Stata (90 minutes) | Register
|
|
|
CHOC and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series
|
Improving Antibiotic Use Through Measuring Antibiotic Harms, by Matthew P. Kronman, MD, MSCE, Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; Fellowship Program Director, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Wednesday, April 30, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
|
|
|
Apply Now: Big Data Training for Cancer Research
|
The UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is pleased to announce the annual NCI-funded workshop on Big Data Training for Cancer Research (BigCARE). This intensive workshop will help cancer researchers develop skills for managing, visualizing, analyzing and integrating various types of omics data in cancer studies. The workshop is open to oncologists, faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. There is no cost for registration, tuition, food and lodging! We will continuously review applications monthly until all 30 spots are taken. Apply here by March 31, 2025.
July 7–18
Location: UC Irvine
|
|
|
UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM) 2025 Conference — Submit Abstracts by April 19
|
The Changing Brain. Co-sponsored by the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM), Cajal Club and the Allen Institute for Brain Science. We aim to host a leading-edge conference in 2025, bringing together thought leaders in neuroscience who will offer unique perspectives on integrating the different facets of neural circuits — structure, function, development and disease. Learn more about the speaker lineup and conference details at 2025 CNCM Conference. Submit abstracts and travel award applications by April 19. Register by May 19.
Aug. 18–21
Location: Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide?
|
|
|
|
|
What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists?
|
Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduce clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
|
|
| Contribute to Research Insider!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
