|
|
|
Students ride and walk along the paths in Aldrich Park. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine) |
|
|
|
Gift to support new home for UCI MIND |
|
|
|
A $23 million gift from Cary and Will Singleton will help UC Irvine find new ways to understand, treat and, ultimately, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The funding includes $13 million for Ann Hutchinson Quilter Hall, the future home of UCI MIND, and $10 million for advanced MRI and PET scanners to expand research and clinical trial capabilities. “Cary and Will Singleton’s extraordinary generosity will give our researchers tools and opportunities that can fundamentally change the pace of discovery,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We are deeply grateful for their partnership and their remarkable commitment to improving the lives of those affected by dementia.” |
|
|
|
At New Swan Latine artists bring themselves to Shakespeare |
|
|
|
This summer, New Swan Shakespeare Festival issued its first public casting call for Latine actors to play Latine characters. For producing director and stage management alumnus Jesús Enrique López Vargas, M.F.A. ’21, that choice answers a question he put to the audience at the event, Shakespeare in Brown Bodies: Latine Performance at New Swan. “Who gets to decide who joy belongs to?” said López Vargas. "Who gets to decide who can laugh on our stages or on television? That’s the producer.” |
|
|
|
Cholesterol drugs show promise for cancer treatment |
|
|
|
Associate Professor Christopher Halbrook, Dr. Alica Michels and Dr. Jennifer Valerin collaborated on research exploring how cholesterol-lowering drugs could help treat chemotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. |
|
|
Pancreatic cancer becomes harder to treat when tumors stop responding to chemotherapy, leaving patients and families with few options. UC Irvine researchers have identified a weakness that emerges as cancer cells resist a widely used chemotherapeutic, pointing to a possible new use for cholesterol-lowering statins. Because statins are widely used, repurposing them could offer a practical route to expanding treatment options if clinical testing confirms their benefits. Study co-author Dr. Jennifer Valerin, a UCI Health oncologist, described how the research is moving forward: “This … deepens our understanding of resistance and has also created pre-clinical data that we are using to bring this treatment to patients in a trial currently ongoing at the UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.” |
|
|
|
He came back to coach the kids who were him |
|
|
|
Houston Santillan was entering eighth grade the summer he came to the Merage School of Business for LIFEvest, a financial literacy program for first-generation students. Nearly a decade later, the Merage School asked LIFEvest alumni whether any of them wanted to come back and help. Santillan responded. "He said he'd love to come back and coach some students on their final presentations, because he remembered doing final presentations himself," said Adriana Lucas, associate director of the Todd and Lisa Halbrook Center for Investment and Wealth Management, which runs the program. "And he said the program was instrumental in helping him decide to pursue a career in business." |
|
|
|
Premier Health Plan is now UCI Health Plan Network |
|
|
Premier Health Plan is now UCI Health Plan Network following the acquisition of the organization by UCI Health. It supports national commercial and Medicare Advantage products and works with independent community physicians across Orange County and southeast Los Angeles County. Physicians currently participating in UCI Health Plan Network will not experience changes in existing physician participation arrangements or practice autonomy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Open Enrollment for 2027 benefits opens on Oct. 29 and ends Nov. 20. All UC Irvine and UCI Health employees should visit the Open Enrollment web page to learn more about plans and rates. You may also visit the UC Open Enrollment web section for more information. Consider utilizing ALEX, UC’s virtual benefits counselor, to help determine which plan is right for you. Enroll in benefits in UCPath. Employees who complete Open Enrollment by Nov. 6 will be entered into a random opportunity drawing to win one of four $50 Amazon e-cards. Employees who complete Open Enrollment by Nov. 13, will be entered into a random drawing to win one of four $25 Amazon e-cards. Employees eligible for the Nov. 6 drawing will roll over into the Nov. 13 drawing. |
|
|
|
President Milliken and the case for college |
|
|
|
President James B. Milliken participated in The Atlantic Festival – an event that brings together thought leaders from politics, culture, technology, art and a range of other areas to share their perspectives and engage in friendly debate. In this video, he discusses everything from AI on campus to ways higher education can expand access beyond the traditional model. |
|
|
|
|
The monthly UC Spotlight for October celebrates the UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. This issue highlights three UC Irvine achievements: The UCI Health surgical team was recognized for becoming the first on the West Coast to use the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system for patient care. Dr. David Lee was honored for performing the first procedure. UC Irvine clinicians, researchers and community partners were recognized for creating a countywide system of early psychosis support for young people ages 15 to 25. The UCI Health – Orange trauma team received a First Responder Award from the Orange County Business Council for its work saving a young woman’s arm after a train accident. Honorees included Carly Passaglia, Eric Wang, Tyler Johnston, Carrie Chandwani and Michael Lekawa, whose coordinated care made the complex surgery possible.
|
|
|
|
Alumni in Action: Edgar Aguilasocho |
|
|
|
From UC Irvine School of Law’s inaugural class to a career dedicated to advocacy and service, Edgar Aguilasocho, J.D. ’12, works to make a difference in the lives of others. Today, Aguilasocho serves as vice president of Martínez Aguilasocho Law, where he advocates for farmworkers and underserved communities. His connection to UC Irvine has also come full circle, as he helps mentor and inspire the next generation of attorneys. In this episode of Alumni in Action, Aguilasocho reflects on his time at UC Irvine and the experiences that led him to such meaningful work. |
|
|
|
Santora Pitch Lab grand opening |
|
|
(Photos by Natalie Hadland) |
|
|
The ANTrepreneur Center serves as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation on campus, encouraging students to learn, build and launch ideas that will shape the future. This innovative spirit is the catalyst for the grand opening of the Santora Pitch Lab – made possible through the generosity of longtime UC Irvine supporters Kathleen and Mark Santora – that features modular studios, immersive displays, professional recording equipment and AI-powered feedback tools designed to help students move their ideas from inspiration to execution. A ribbon cutting for the newly renovated lab took place on Oct. 22. The evening also featured a special appearance by Joe Kiani, founder of Masimo, founder and executive chairman of Willow Laboratories, and co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Like Minded Labs. |
|
|
|
L to R: Provost Hal Stern; Vice Provost, Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Michael Dennin; Irvine City Council Member James Mai; Kathleen Santora, Mark Santora; Director ANTrepreneur Center Ryan Foland. |
|
|
|
#UCIconnected spotlights interesting updates from the UC Irvine community. #IamUCI spotlights profiles of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected or #IamUCI hashtags. |
|
|
