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School of Medicine Dean's Research Council Meeting
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School of Medicine Dean Michael J. Stamos, MD, and Associate Dean for Research Administration William E. Bunney, MD, invite you to attend this quarterly meeting featuring two distinguished research presentations:
Advancing Precision Genome Editors for the Next Era of Medicine, by Audrone Lapinaite, PhD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Biological Chemistry, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Repurposing FDA-approved, BDNF-enhancing Riluzole to Alleviate Cancer-related Cognitive Dysfunction, by Munjal M. Acharya, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Radiation Oncology, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Tuesday, May 12, 5 to 6 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 968 2620 4626 | Passcode: 109533
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Update of NIH Late Application Submission Policy and End of Continuous Submission
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This Notice announces an updated policy for late submission of competitive applications. Specifically, it ends Continuous Submission, announces modifications to reasons considered for late submission, and announces the prohibition of Fellowship, Small Business, and International Collaboration late applications. Review the notice.
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Highlighting UC Irvine’s Shared Core Facilities for Researchers — The Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCF)
Next Week
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Join this webinar to learn about the Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCF). The FCF provides researchers with access to advanced flow cytometry instrumentation, high-dimensional analysis tools, and expert technical support to enable cutting-edge immunological and biomedical research.
Speaker: Michael Hou, PhD, Manager, Flow Cytometry Core Facility
Tuesday, April 21, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom
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From Vigorous Kids to Rigorous Data: The Wild Ride of a Pediatric Lung Doctor | Physician Scientist Collective 2025-26 Distinguished Speaker Series
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The talk will encompass how the search for optimal health effects of exercise in children and adolescents led to a career in translational science, clinical care and research, and unexpected discoveries … and a publication emanating from the "Harbor-UCLA Department of Pediatrics and the Division of Planetary Geochemistry of Caltech."
Speaker: Dan M. Cooper, MD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Associate Director, Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS), UC Irvine School of Medicine
Wednesday, May 6, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom
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Upcoming NIH Grant Writing Workshop!
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The School of Medicine Office of Research is hosting a full-day, in-person workshop, “Planning and Writing Successful NIH Proposals,” hosted by Dr. Jon-Michael Knapp of Luminint Consulting Group. The workshop will offer valuable insights into the grant application process, covering topics from developing a project plan to reviewing proposal feedback.
Thursday, May 28, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Lunch will be provided
Location: UC Irvine College of Health Sciences Building, Room 3130
Registration is limited. To apply, faculty, research staff and postdoctoral scholars must register by May 1, and submit a draft of their Specific Aims page.
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CITI Advanced Mentorship Training Course
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The Advanced Mentorship Training course is now added to UC Irvine’s CITI profile!
To take the training, use UC Irvine’s Single Sign-On to sign in. From the log-in screen, click “Log in through my organization” and then start typing “University of California….” to find UC Irvine. From there, enter your UCInetID and password. To enroll in the course, scroll down and click on “Add a Course”. On the next screen, click on the “Advanced Mentorship Training” checkbox and click Next. And then, you’ll see the course is ready to begin on your dashboard.
Audience: This course has been designed for research personnel with mentoring responsibilities, including researchers, students, postdocs and specifically NIH training grant participants.
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Hosted by the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center: Optimizing Mentoring Relationships Training
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Become a more effective research mentor with practical, evidence-based strategies.
Who should attend: Grad student mentors, postdocs, early-stage faculty; NIH training grant participants/applicants; and those who want to strengthen mentoring skills
Friday, April 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: COHS Room 5010
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UC Irvine Alpha Clinic IND / IDE Support
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The UC Irvine SCRC IND Office provides regulatory strategy and support for INDs and IDEs, from determining whether an IND or IDE is required through FDA meetings, submissions, maintenance, and close out, including NIH and CIRM-funded projects. Do you have questions about whether your project needs an IND or IDE, how to design an IND-enabling preclinical package, how to plan for FDA meetings, or how to manage sponsor-investigator responsibilities and safety reporting?
Investigators developing FDA-regulated clinical research, particularly those preparing NIH or CIRM preclinical or clinical applications, are encouraged to reach out early in the planning process to discuss regulatory strategy, timelines and available support. Brief exploratory questions are welcome.
For non-oncology IND/IDE or NIH/CIRM-related regulatory questions or to request a consultation, email SCRCIND@hs.uci.edu.
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Wei Li, PhD (Biological Chemistry, CFCCC member) received funding from the UC Noyce Initiative for their project, “Multi-Scale Molecular Biomarker Discovery for Early Detection and Monitoring of Myocarditis.” Their proposal was selected as one of four awards from a competitive pool of 28 applications for this year’s UC Noyce Computational Health funding. Final selections were determined through a peer review process involving evaluators from across the Initiative campuses, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco and UC Santa Barbara.
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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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Limited: Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research
Eligibility: As of Aug. 27, 2026, run an independent lab and hold a full-time appointment at the rank of assistant professor. Candidates must not have been appointed as an assistant professor at any institution prior to June 11, 2021.
Internal nominations may be submitted to the CFCCC via the UCI Review application portal.
Deadline: April 17, 2026
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Limited: Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences
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UCI is among a select number of institutions invited to nominate a candidate for the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. The award supports independent young investigators of outstanding promise in pursuing basic, translational or applied biomedical research relevant to the advancement of human health. Ideas having the potential for unusually high impact are encouraged.
Pew Biomedical Scholars will receive $75,000 in annual support over four years ($300,000 in total). Funds may be used at the scholar’s discretion for personnel, equipment, supplies or research-related travel.
Eligibility: Candidates must have a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine or a related field, including engineering or physical sciences and must hold a full-time appointment as tenure-track assistant professor as of Sept. 3, 2026. Candidates must not have been appointed as an assistant professor prior to June 10, 2023, whether or not such appointment was on a tenure track or at more than one institution. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or parental leave does not count toward this four-year limit. Pew Scholars are expected to spend at least 80% of their time pursuing their research goals.
Internal nominations may be submitted to the Office of Research via the UCI Review application portal.
Deadline: April 27, 2026
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Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)
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The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA) is a rigorous 2-year program designed to train early-career investigator-physicians to design and implement clinical trials that engage more communities. Through structured education and mentorship, Winn CDA Scholars become community-oriented clinical trialists who have the skills and expertise to transform the ways that communities conduct research and deliver care. Current Winn CDA clinical research areas include cancer, cardiovascular and cardio-metabolic disease, and neuropsychiatry. The Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA) provides $120,000 annually for two years, intended to cover a portion of the scholar’s salary — approximately 40% of their time — allowing them the protected space needed to fully engage in the program’s intensive training and research activities. Deadline: May 4, 2026 |
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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ARPA-H Funding Opportunities
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Center of Excellence Impact of Cannabinoids Across the Lifespan (ICAL) 2026 Pilot Grant
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The NIH-supported UCI Center of Excellence for studying the Impact of Cannabinoids Across the Lifespan (ICAL) includes a Pilot Grant Program with the goal of fostering independent and collaborative research on the influences of cannabinoid exposure during different life stages. The purpose of the Pilot Grant program is to capitalize on the research expertise within the UC Irvine community to integrate innovative ideas into ICAL research programs and to gain insight into age-specific effects of cannabinoid drugs on the brain and other organ systems.
The center is accepting proposals for Basic Science pilot grants of up to $25,000 total costs for the funding period of 6/1/26 to 5/31/27. This funding opportunity is open to all UC Irvine faculty members (senate and non-senate) of all ranks.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
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Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Pilot Studies Award
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UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) is pleased to announce a new call for the Pilot Studies Program. 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 UC Irvine faculty from any school or discipline. Junior and mid-career faculty, as well as established investigators, pursuing novel research lines are encouraged to apply.
Eligible Projects: Integrative health research projects currently not funded and aimed at obtaining preliminary results for a full application for extramural funds will be given priority. Emphasis will be placed on innovation and transformative potential of submitted proposals. The content of proposals, while linked to applicants’ current research, should demonstrate a clear evolution towards novel, relevant and untested research areas.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
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| Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Seminar Series
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Investigating the Neuropsychological Effects of Psychedelics and Their Effect on Emotional Circuits in the Rat Brain, by Emma Robinson, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology, School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol. Hosted by the UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
Wednesday, April 15, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
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RNA Quality Control in Health and Disease, by Yongsheng Shi, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine: Director, UCI Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, UC Irvine
Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
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All of Us Science Day
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This free, virtual event is open to everyone, including researchers, participants, and the public, to learn more about the research and discoveries that are poised to impact some of today’s most pressing health issues – all made possible thanks to the All of Us participants.
Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Stata: Introduction to Machine Learning and AI
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This free noontime workshop (75 minutes) will briefly review the history of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), introduce the concepts and jargon, and demonstrate how to use these tools in Stata. Specific examples will include Lasso and elasticnet methods, Bayesian methods and MCMC, support vector machines (SVM) using Python integration, random forests and gradient boosting machines using H2O, and the user-written commands "chatgpt," "claude," "gemini," and "grok."
Instructor: Chuck Huber, PhD
Wednesday, April 15, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Rady Children's Health and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series
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New Frontiers in Retinal Gene Therapy, by Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Wednesday, April 15, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Imaged-Based Spatial Transcriptomics: From Technology to Analysis | Panel Discussion
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Hear quick, high-impact presentations (three 15-minute talks), join lively discussions, and network with peers to spark fresh ideas and collaborations driving the next wave of discovery in single-cell biology. Speakers: Jenny Wu, PhD, Fangyuan Ding, PhD, and Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD Learn more about this panel discussion hosted by the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub.
Wednesday, April 15, 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: UC Irvine Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Thorp Conference Center
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Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar
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Molecular Genetics of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma: Virulence and Vaccine Development, by Roman Ganta, MSc, PhD, Curators' Distinguished Professor & Mckee Endowed Chair Professor, University of Missouri
Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166
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Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar
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Identifying Viral and Host Determinants of Neuroinvasion, by Audrey Loaiza, Graduate Student, Koyuncu Lab, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, April 16, 9 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagadayunan to join via Zoom.
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Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Dissertation Defense
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Intracellular and Extracellular Mechanisms Regulating AMPA Receptor Trafficking in Mouse Hippocampal Synapses, by Gerardo Leana-Sandoval, Graduate Student, Javier Diaz Alonso, Ph.D., Lab, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Friday, April 17, 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Palmer Family Research and Conference Room, 2nd Floor 2608, and Via Zoom
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Department of Radiological Sciences Research Seminar Series
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From Survival to Longevity: The Role of Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging in the Modern Management of Congenital Heart Disease, by Carsten Rickers, MD, Senior Pediatric Cardiologist, University Heart and Vascular Center in Hamburg, Germany
Friday, April 17, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Health Sciences Complex, Classroom CR3120, and Via Zoom
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Experimental Pathology Research Conferences
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Down Syndrome Impacts on Motor Neuron Development, Degeneration, and Microglial Interactions, by Nimrah Ashfaq, Graduate Student, Graduate Student, Rose Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Monday, April 20, 11 a.m. to Noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
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Center for Neural Circuit Mapping Seminar
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Vaccinia Virus, Proteomics, Structural Proteomics, Spatial Proteomics, by Paul D. Gershon, PhD, Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, UC Irvine
Tuesday, April 21, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, Room 2200
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Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series
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Light Signaling in the Postmortem Human Retina, by Frans Vinberg, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UC Irvine School of Medicine Wednesday, April 22, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom.
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Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar
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Investigating the Parameters of HSV-1 Latency and Reactivation Using an Axonal Infection Model, by Christina Pantoja, Graduate Student, Koyuncu Lab, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagadayunan to join via Zoom.
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UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series
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Regulation of Cutaneous Antiviral Immunity, by Megan Orzalli, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Thorp Conference Center, 4001 Gross Hall
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Department of Radiological Sciences Research Seminar Series
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Non-Invasive Histotripsy Cancer Treatment: The Road from Bench to Bedside, by Zhen Xu, PhD, Li Ka Shing Endowed Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Radiology and Neurosurgery, University of Michigan
Friday, April 24, Noon to 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, 856 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA, and Via Zoom
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UC Irvine Center for Neuropolitics Lecture Series
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Bugs in Democracy: Gerrymandering, Inequities in Voter Power and Rules of Election, by Sam Wang, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience, Princeton University. The UC Irvine Center for Neuropolitics hosts this event. Register today for this FREE, virtual lecture! Friday, April 24, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Stem Cell Research Center Seminar Series
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Defining Epigenetic Mediators in Pancreatic Cancer Initiation & Progression, by Christopher Pin, PhD, Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology, Western University, Canada
Friday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT
Location: Sue Gross Auditorium, 854 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA 92617
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NIH K Award Mock Study Section
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Looking to demystify NIH K Award Study Sections? Sign up for our K Award Mock Study Section today! Join the UC Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS) for an interactive NIH Mock Study Section for K Awards to provide hands-on experiential learning to K-level awardees looking to submit an NIH K award. Learn more.
Friday, May 8, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, Room CR 6110
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UC Irvine Center for Neural Circuit Mapping 2026 Conference: "Neural Circuits in Health & Disease
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
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Join the Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM) for their 2026 conference on “Neural Circuits in Health & Disease.” This conference will provide a platform to discuss and explore how neural circuits operate under normal conditions and in disease states — knowledge that is essential for developing innovative treatments for neurological disorders. Submit abstracts and register for the conference by May 1. Aug. 17–19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Irvine Marriott, Irvine, CA |
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Postdoctoral Fellow - Neurological Clinical Informatics and Data Science Lab
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The Neurological Clinical Informatics and Data Science Lab led by Ali Ezzati, MD, is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellow to work on clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The position involves large-scale data analysis, digital health, and translational research. Candidates with strong quantitative and clinical research backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please reach out if interested or share with potential candidates.
Closing Date: May 31, 2026
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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.
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What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide?
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE RDU
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What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists?
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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 introduces 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
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