Jan. 27, 2023

UCI recycling program receives federal grant

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the REMADE Institute, a public/private partnership founded by the U.S. Department of Energy, an interdisciplinary team of UCI researchers will work to improve California’s economy and environment through better recycling practices. That cash comes with an additional $1 million in matching funds from the University of California. It will allow researchers in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Institute of Transportation Studies to conduct a two-year study aimed at minimizing landfill clutter and runaway greenhouse gas emissions.

How UCI became a global draw for Chinese studies

With its large Chinese American population, Irvine is recognized around the world as a vibrant center of Chinese diasporic culture. It recently ranked second in a list of Chinese immigrants’ favorite American cities, and UCI alone boasts over 7,000 students of Chinese heritage. The university’s focus on intellectual collaboration has also long been a major draw for China scholars and graduate students working on ambitious interdisciplinary research. With those facts in mind, UCI Humanities scholar and writer Megan Cole offers a timely update of UCI’s distinguished Chinese Studies program.

UCI scientist weighs in on FDA votes for annual bivalent COVID-19 shots

A Food and Drug Administration panel voted 21-0 to include annual bivalent booster shots in its recommendation for shifting the fight against COVID-19 to an annual vaccine model similar to the yearly flu regimen. The Jan. 26 recommendation will now go to both the FDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control for a final decision. To understand the significance of this strategy, Becker’s Hospital Review sought out Bernadette Boden-Albala, director and founding dean of UCI’s public health program, who said the regimen will help the nation move forward. "Is this a perfect solution?” she said. “No, but it's a strategy that the nation can get its arms around, and a strategy which will likely save more lives and decrease significant disease transmission."

What will it take for UC to become a Hispanic-serving system?

Almost 40% of Californians now identify as Hispanic or Latino, accounting for the largest racial or ethnic group in the state. To ensure that the UC system meets the needs of these residents, it has set a goal to become a Hispanic-serving system, with each of its nine undergraduate campuses being federally recognized as Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs. With that in mind, UC Newsroom spoke with UC Vice Provost Yvette Gullatt, chief diversity officer for the UC system, about UC’s goal to become a Hispanic-serving system and how that has benefits for all students. UCI already is a Hispanic-serving institution, as are UC campuses in Riverside, Merced, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.

UC administration seeks comments on anti-discrimination policy

The UC Office of the President is seeking input on a proposed Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination. The proposed policy covers discrimination, harassment and retaliation by and against members of the university community on university property or in connection with university-sponsored activities. The draft policy is posted on UCnet. If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please send an email to ucipolicy@uci.edu, no later than April 1.

Irvine Barclay Theatre: Hamid Saeidi & International Guest Performers
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (sponsored by Illuminations: The Chancellor's Arts & Culture Initiative)

The Winter 2023 DTEI Digital Learning Workshops
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. (sponsored by Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation)

DCP After-tax Contributions to Roth Conversion Rollover
Tuesday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by HR Wellness)

UC-HBCU Webinar
Tuesday, 3 p.m. (sponsored by Office of Inclusive Excellence)

How to Research Your Market
Tuesday, 5 p.m. (sponsored by New Venture Competition)

Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.

Go ride a bike

UC Irvine posted on Instagram: Biking benefits: Get to class faster; less stressful parking; environmentally friendly. Drop a heart emoji if you bring your bike to campus. (P.S. feel free to share with us why you'd recommend cycling to fellow Anteaters)

#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

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