University of California, Irvine

🎉 🎓 Big news at the UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences! Today, at the school's commencement ceremony, Dean Frank LaFerla announced a generous $50 million gift from biotech entrepreneur Charlie Dunlop 🌟 His gift will create an endowed fund that will provide unrestricted support for academic and research activities within the school. Dunlop, one of the leading biotech scientists and entrepreneurs in Orange County, founded Ambry Genetics in 1999.

In honor of Charlie Dunlop's transformative gift, the school will be renamed the UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences.

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Biotech entrepreneur donates $50 million to UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences Announcement of gift from Charlie Dunlop is made during commencement ceremony

– Laken Race
B.S., nursing science | UCI School of Nursing

🏥❤️ During her fourth-year preceptorship, Laken Race discovered her calling in critical care nursing. With 120 hours of hands-on patient care and learning from a seasoned nurse, she honed her clinical skills and evaluated the emotional and social impacts of care. "This experience validated that the path I had chosen was perfect for me," Laken shares. After graduation, she looks forward to taking the nursing board exam and applying to residency programs in critical care.

Laken's story: https://bit.ly/4aZeQym

🎓💙💛🎉 Congratulations to UC Irvine's Class of 2024!
Watch the livestream here: https://commencement.uci.edu/

Interrupting communication between CD8+ T cells and T regulatory cells enhances checkpoint immunotherapy for melanoma, says study led by UCI School of Medicine researchers. Akin to phone landlines connected by a cable, eliminating crosstalk can improve treatment efficacy.

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‘Cutting the cable’ between CD8+ T and T regulatory cells enhances checkpoint immunotherapy Discovery by UC Irvine-led team may offer new strategy for improving melanoma treatment

: Sam Hansen, B.S., computer science. Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences at UC Irvine

Hansen's early passion for indie video games led them to UC Irvine, where they've thrived as a game developer and researcher. With experience as an AI programmer and a leader in various student organizations, Sam's journey is a testament to dedication and innovation.

Sam's story: https://bit.ly/3yyJ1ic

This year's commencement ceremonies, which will take place from June 14 to June 17, will mark the proud celebration of the achievements of over 8,200 students and their families. Notably, 49% of bachelor's degrees were awarded to first-generation college students! 🎓🙌🎉

49 percent of UC Irvine bachelor’s degrees earned by first-generation students Over 8,200 Class of 2024 members will attend commencement ceremonies this month

: Ashlynn Desco, B.A., psychological science. UCI School of Social Ecology

Ashlynn hails from a multigenerational household in San Clemente. Her interest in psychology sparked at Saddleback College and flourished at UC Irvine. As a research assistant for Joanne Zinger and collaborator with Simon Cole, Ashlynn is well-prepared for a future in social or cognitive psychology.

Ashlynn's story: https://bit.ly/4bAqv7R

: Christopher Arauzo, B.S., Mechanical Engineering. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UC Irvine

Hailing from Torrance, Christopher discovered his love for mechanical engineering during a formative high school internship. At UC Irvine, he spearheaded the Spacecraft Thermal Management Systems team, acquiring invaluable experiences that culminated in internships at Boeing and Vast. Christopher is set to embark on an aerothermal engineering internship at ABL Space Systems while pursuing a master’s degree at UC Irvine.

📚✨ Nearly half of UC Irvine bachelor’s degrees are earned by first-generation students! 🎓❤️ This month, over 8,200 members of the Class of 2024 will cross the stage at commencement.

More: https://bit.ly/3yVZL38

49 percent of UC Irvine bachelor’s degrees earned by first-generation students Over 8,200 Class of 2024 members will attend commencement ceremonies this month

: Josie Fermin, B.A. UCI Public Health

Josie's passion for public health ignited when her grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes. Josie believes social determinants of health played a role, which can be mitigated by effective public health policies. This insight led her to focus on preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases.

She's inspired by the ever-evolving field of public health and the potential for impactful policies, like the EPA's regulation of "forever chemicals" in drinking water, to improve community health.

Josie plans to pursue a Master of Public Health in child and maternal health. As graduation approaches, she looks forward to nurturing her wellness in Aldrich Park.

Josie's story: https://bit.ly/3V0yGTY

After-hours vibes in spring at UC Irvine 😍🤘💙💛

10 UC Irvine faculty members named Hellman Fellows for 2024-25. The program supports research by promising junior faculty.

The 2024-25 awardees are:

⭐️ Fangyuan Ding, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, for a proposal titled “Systematic Characterization of Protein-Nucleic Acid Binding Kinetics in a Universally Applicable Manner”

⭐️ Abigail Lapin Dardashti, assistant professor of art history and visual studies, for a proposal titled “Itinerant Modernism: Politics and the Rise of Afro-Brazilian Art”

⭐️ Pablo Lara-Gonzalez, assistant professor of developmental & cell biology, for a proposal titled “Elucidating the Importance of Mitotic Duration Control in Embryogenesis and in Cancer”

⭐️ Katherine Trieste Rhodes, assistant professor of education, for a proposal titled “African American Children’s RICH Mathematical Word Problems”

⭐️ Alejandra Rodriguez Verdugo, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology, for a proposal titled “Principles of Multispecies Interactions for Evolution and Function of Microbial Communities”

⭐️ Javier Sanchez-Yamagishi, assistant professor of physics & astronomy, for a proposal titled “Quantum Electronics With Injection-Molded Two-Dimensional Crystals”

⭐️ Xian Shi, assistant professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering, for a proposal titled “Synthesis and Assembly of Carbon Battery Electrodes Using Natural Gas”

⭐️ Ji Seon Song, assistant professor of law, for a proposal titled “Crisis Policing”

⭐️ Irene Vega, assistant professor of sociology, for a proposal titled “Racialized Social Ladders: Navigating Mobility Alongside Persistent Inequality”

⭐️ Travis Wiles, assistant professor of molecular biology & biochemistry, for a proposal titled “Life, Death and Symbiosis: Igniting Viral Outbreaks in the Gut Microbiome to Promote Health”

Info: https://bit.ly/3x1b9dB

: Hassan Shaikh, B.S. UCI School of Biological Sciences

After graduating from Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, Hassan became a biological sciences major at UC Irvine, where he has thrived in both the classroom and the laboratory. He conducts bench research in the lab of Marcelo Wood, exploring the role of the epigenome in regulating gene expression in long-term memory processes. He was thrilled to land a marine biology summer research internship in 2023 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “I worked with sea turtles in La Jolla,” he says. “It was pretty cool.”

Hassan's story: https://bit.ly/4btwrzr

Wouldn't you love to take a break and relax here? 🤘💙💛💚🌳

For nearly a century, gay bars have been more than a place to drink for the LGBTQ+ community. Lucas Hilderbrand, UC Irvine professor and chair of film and media studies, takes a deep dive into the history of gay bars in his book, The Bars Are Ours: Histories and Cultures of Gay Bars in America, 1960 and After.

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The legacy of LGBTQ+ nightlife UCI Humanities professor’s new book chronicles the history of gay bars

: Phoebe Roach, B.S. UCI School of Physical Sciences

As an Earth System Science major, Phoebe has been able to explore her passion for sustainability as a bee/tree intern and conduct research for Cosmos, a UC-wide program that teaches STEM subjects to high school students. The student-athlete also spent three years on UC Irvine's track team as a pole vaulter. After graduation, Phoebe hopes to work somewhere along the West Coast, mapping shifts in the environment and site testing for environmental firms.

Phoebe's story: https://bit.ly/4bMYd9U

: Leonardo Alaniz, M.D. UCI School of Medicine

Leonardo entered medical school with a finance degree and experience as a district manager at GM and running his own dealership. His anatomy class was pivotal in transitioning to medicine, bridging theory and real-world application: "It gave me an early glimpse of what it would be like to one day be performing surgery and helping actual patients," he says. He plan to travel this summer before starting a plastic surgery residency at UC Irvine.

Leonardo's story: https://bit.ly/3WYVi9K

: Kanomé Jones, J.D. University of California, Irvine School of Law

After nearly 10 years as an actor, casting director, and producer in Chicago, Kanomé moved to a new stage: the courtroom. She applied and was accepted into UC Irvine School of Law. “As somebody interested in change and shifting the status quo, I wanted to go to a school that is actually doing that,” she says. “And in that respect, UC Irvine stuck out.” This summer, she will move to New York City to work in the litigation practice group at Fenwick & West.

Kanomé's story: https://bit.ly/44XEli5

Haley Tran '24 is the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who arrived to the U.S. during the Vietnam War. The Orange County native originally planned for a career in medicine, but her journey took a turn after internships with a congresswoman and at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. After graduating with a degree in political science with a minor in biology, she's now diving into politics and advocacy for communities in Washington, D.C. 🏛️🇺🇸 Her story reflects the power of seizing opportunities to make a difference in the world!

More: https://bit.ly/4dqftDj

A reminder that campus offices will be closed on Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day. Take care, and enjoy the weekend. 💙💛

The UC Irvine Alumni Association will bestow its highest honor, the Extraordinarius award, on Nobel laureate Sir David MacMillan, Ph.D. ’96, at the 2024 Lauds & Laurels ceremony on Oct. 10. The association will honor 22 Anteaters at its 53rd Lauds & Laurels event.

Info: https://bit.ly/4bkoxbz

Nobel laureate Sir David MacMillan, Ph.D. ’96, to receive Extraordinarius award UC Irvine Alumni Association will honor 22 Anteaters at 53rd Lauds & Laurels event

🧊🔬 A team led by UC Irvine glaciologists discovered that warm, high-pressure seawater is intruding many kilometers beneath the grounded ice of West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier.

The study published today in PNAS reveals that widespread contact between ocean water and glaciers causes "vigorous melting." The finding might require a reassessment of global sea level rise projections. 🌍📈

UCI School of Physical Sciences NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science (ESS)

UC Irvine-led team uncovers ‘vigorous melting’ at Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier Satellite radar data show kilometer-scale seawater intrusion, causing ice to rise and fall

Pacific Islander students at UC Irvine have taken it upon themselves to build community. The Pacific Islander Student Association – whose members identify as Native Hawaiian, Tongan, Samoan and Chamorro – was established last fall on campus, creating a safe harbor and a sense of belonging for students.

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A safe harbor for Pacific Islanders Community-building efforts will give small student population a big sense of belonging

UC Irvine professors win 2024 Guggenheim Fellowships for exceptional research in sociology and computer science—contributing meaningful advancements in sociology and computer science.
Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences at UC Irvine
https://bit.ly/49DwB5D

Wang Feng and Gene Tsudik are named 2024 Guggenheim Fellows UC Irvine scholars are among 188 recipients of prestigious award this year

Happy Mothers Day to all of the Anteater moms and mother-figures! Thanks for all the love, encouragement and support.

Our campus beauty is unmatched 🤘🪻💙💛💜

Meet Luiza Osorio G. Silva, assistant professor of art history at UC Irvine! 🎨 She explores ancient Egyptian graveyards, co-hosts the podcast "Three Egyptologists Walk Into a Bar," and even has a miniature mummy in her office. Her students will delve into pyramids, sphinxes, and pharaohs this year.


Info:

Bringing ancient Egypt to life Professor uses pop culture to demystify pharaohs, pyramids and more

UC Irvine expert suggests that TikTok is unlikely to be fully banned in the U.S. due to potential public backlash and legal hurdles.

TikTok Will Fight Its Ban. Here’s How the Battle May Play Out President Biden signed an anti-TikTok bill into law on Wednesday. But TikTok isn't going away any time soon.

I got to spend my birthday with my humans at Aldrich Park, and it was pawsome!! 🐾💛

📸: via Instagram

researchers found that slow waves & sleep spindles originate in the hippocampus, not just the thalamus-cortex circuit, key to deep sleep and memory. 😴💙💛
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UC Irvine

UC Irvine researchers find new origin of deep brain waves Knowledge of hippocampal activity could help improve sleep and cognition therapies