Top Story
|
Freshmen enjoy talent-show skits during UCI’s Student Parent Orientation Program.
|
Anteaters Take First Steps at SPOP
More than 4,300 freshmen and their parents will hit the campus through August for the Student Parent Orientation Program, fondly known as SPOP. The two-day orientation covers everything from dorm life to nightlife. View a slide show of this year’s batch of new ’Eaters. »
Headlines
|
News & Announcements
Medical Center Makes ‘Best Hospitals’ List
UC Irvine Medical Center again has been ranked as one of the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the hospital’s eighth consecutive year on the “America’s Best” list. Among the top 50 hospitals, UCI is listed 18th for urology and 40th for geriatrics. Gynecology joins this year’s list, rated 30th. The annual report hit newsstands July 14.
UCI Raises $130 Million, Sets Campus Record
Private gifts and grants to UCI reached another milestone during the 2007-08 fiscal year, with a record $130.03 million received from 27,969 total gifts. The fundraising total breaks UCI’s record of $120.1 million donated during the previous fiscal year. The gift total also is up 1,000 over last year. According to Chancellor Michael V. Drake, the record-breaking private support is sparking advances that keep UCI at the forefront of research, education and public service. “Our campus is shaping the future of issues that we all care deeply about,” Drake said.
New Method to Weigh Giant Black Holes Discovered
How do you weigh the biggest black holes in the universe? One answer now comes from a new and independent technique that UCI scientists and other astronomers have developed using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. By measuring a peak in the temperature of hot gas in the center of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4649, scientists have determined the mass of the galaxy’s supermassive black hole. The method, applied for the first time, gives results that are consistent with a traditional technique.
Top Hand Surgeon Joins UCI
One of the nation’s most acclaimed hand surgeons has joined UC Irvine Healthcare to start the Center for Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery. Dr. Neil Jones comes to UCI from the renowned UCLA Hand Center, where he was director for 15 years. He serves as an orthopedic surgery professor with a second affiliation with Children’s Hospital of Orange County. “Our goal is to build a world-class hand-surgery center with some of the best clinical, research and training programs in the country,” Jones said. “With the support of UCI Healthcare and the talented doctors and staff here in orthopedic surgery, I’m certain we can do it.”
Acclaimed Database Expert Joins UCI Faculty
Michael Carey, internationally recognized as a leader in database research, joined the UCI faculty as a Donald Bren Professor in Information & Computer Sciences, effective July 1. Carey is best known for his work on advanced database systems and their performance. His most influential academic projects have been the EXODUS and SHORE database systems, which continue to influence designers and researchers in the field. He also has worked on systems that are widely used in the banking, insurance and healthcare industries.
Suspect Arrested in UCI Identity Fraud Case
UCI police detectives, along with Dallas County district attorney investigators and Fort Worth police officers, arrested a suspect July 8 in UCI’s identity theft case. Michael Tyrone Thomas, 27, was taken into custody at his Fort Worth residence based on an arrest warrant for violation of one count of fraudulent use of identifying information in conjunction with the identity thefts involving UCI graduate and medical students. Thomas was transported and booked into Dallas County jail with bail set at $300,000.
UCI Awarded $1 Million for Fire Safety Research
UCI researchers have received a $1 million Fire Prevention & Safety Grant that will support projects to help protect both firefighters and the public from fire and fire-related hazards. The award, granted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be used to develop technologies that could provide firefighters and other first responders with synchronized, real-time information that would help keep them safe and be useful in decision-making situations. Sharad Mehrotra (shown), computer science professor, and Nalini Venkatasubramanian, computer science associate professor – both Calit2 affiliates – will lead the projects.
Yudof Launches Public Accountability Effort
UC President Mark G. Yudof described for the UC Board of Regents an accountability program he is launching to provide better information to the public and policymakers about the performance of the UC system for the people of California. On July 17, Yudof, who took office as UC president last month, told the regents’ Committee on Long Range Planning that he intends to bring the board an annual accountability report, which also will be available to the public on the Internet. The report will provide data on the university’s performance in a wide variety of areas, ranging from affordability and diversity to research success and graduation rates. The first report is expected to be presented this fall and will expand and improve in subsequent years.
Hoffman Appointed UC External Relations Senior Vice President
Acting on the recommendation of UC President Mark G. Yudof, the UC Board of Regents confirmed Alan L. Hoffman as external relations senior vice president for the UC system July 17. The appointment will take effect on or before Aug. 11. Hoffman brings his experience as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden, as external affairs vice president for the RAND Corp., as a federal prosecutor, and as a staff member in the White House and two federal agencies. As senior vice president, he will report directly to the president and will be responsible at the system office for communications, advocacy, and governmental relations at the state and federal levels.
UC Irvine magazine Asks: What’s in a Name?
UC Irvine magazine is transitioning to an electronic format in fall 2008, and the search is on for an appropriate name for the online publication. All are invited to submit ideas for naming the e-magazine, which will include campus news and information, profiles, research breakthroughs, alumni news and multimedia features. E-mail name suggestions to ucimagazine@uci.edu by July 31; the winner will receive a $20 Starbucks gift card.
UCi brief Summer Schedule Continues
UCi brief continues the summer publication schedule with the next issue Aug. 6. The subsequent issue will be published Sept. 3. Weekly publication will resume Sept. 24. Submission deadlines will remain noon Monday for the upcoming issues (except the Sept. 3 issue – noon Friday, Aug. 29 – due to the Labor Day holiday, Sept. 1). As always, UCi brief welcomes news, events and input at ucibrief@uci.edu.
|
Work/Life
OEOD Offers American Indian Students Cultural Understanding
On July 9, the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity gave a presentation on “Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity” to a group of 20 American Indian students from California and out of state. OEOD’s presentation included topics such as the ethnic backgrounds of UCI students, language use in U.S. homes, barriers to intercultural communication, cultural thought patterns, cultural norms and values, and guidelines for multicultural cooperation. The students were part of the American Indian Summer Academy, a free one-week program hosted at UCI and facilitated by the American Indian Resource Program for high school students entering grades 9-12 in 2008-09. The students will be mentored by UCI staff and students throughout their remaining high school years.
Stay Safe While Having Fun in the Sun
With summer in full swing, Environmental Health & Safety reminds the campus community to protect against heat stress by working and playing safely. Drink plenty of fluids and take periodic rests depending on work intensity. More quick tips for preventing overexposure to sun and heat are online.
|
People
Geriatrics Faculty, Staff Address Elder Abuse
Program in Geriatrics faculty and staff are addressing elder abuse across the country. Dr. Solomon Liao, geriatric education director and associate professor, will present “Medical Issues in Elder Abuse and Neglect” for a course on “Prosecuting Elder Abuse Cases” July 22-24 in Charlotte, N.C. The course will be presented by the National District Attorneys Association/National College of District Attorneys and the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. Dr. Lisa Gibbs, family medicine associate clinical professor, and Mary Twomey, Academic Geriatric Resource Center’s Center of Excellence co-director, will present “Creating an Elder Abuse Forensic Center” at the National Adult Protective Services Association Conference Aug. 26-28 in Chicago. Dr. Laura Mosqueda (shown), geriatrics director and clinical family medicine professor, will present a session on “Elder Abuse and Dementia” at the 16th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Conference Aug. 24-27 in Garden Grove.
UCI Choirs Win Prestigious International Honors
UCI choral ensembles, under the direction of music professor Joseph Huszti, won top awards at the International Eisteddfod competition in Llangollen, Wales, one of the world’s most prestigious choral competitions. Dozens of choral groups participated from universities and music conservatories representing 34 countries. The Women’s Chorus won first place in their division, female choirs.
Felgner to Lead Development of Infectious Disease Tests
Philip Felgner, infectious diseases researcher, will lead a $3.75 million, federally funded effort to develop methods for new diagnostic tests for dangerous infectious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever and salmonella poisoning. Felgner and his UCI colleagues will work with scientists from UC Davis, University of Texas and the University of Hawaii to identify all the reactive proteins from infectious microorganisms that cause these diseases. Discoveries from this effort will enable the rapid development of tests that can be used for outbreaks worldwide.
Hwang Earns caBIG™ 2008 Teamwork Award
Andrea Hwang, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center informatics project manager, was awarded the 2008 Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG™) Teamwork Award for her contributions as a member of the Case Report Form Standardization Project Team. The award was presented at the caBIG™ annual meeting June 24 in Washington, D.C. Hwang’s work was recognized for “removing redundancy and ambiguity and providing improved clarity … ensuring semantic interoperability across all trials that utilize these modules.”
Stokols Co-Edits Special Issue on Interdisciplinary Science
Daniel Stokols, Chancellor’s Professor of Social Ecology, is co-editor of the current special issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine on the “Science of Team Science.” The July 2008 supplement (vol. 35, issue 2) is devoted to assessing the need and value of interdisciplinary research. The study of team science is aimed at understanding and enhancing the results of collaborative research and training programs. According to Stokols, complex problems like global warming, AIDS, cancer, food security and terrorism require greater collaboration among scientists trained in different fields. Visit the AJPM or the National Cancer Institute Web sites.
Tyagi Appointed Senior Associate Business School Dean
Rajeev Tyagi, marketing professor, has been appointed senior associate dean of The Paul Merage School of Business. Tyagi is an accomplished professor in the areas of new product introductions and distribution channels; he publishes regularly in the top marketing journals. He also is an associate editor at Management Science and an editorial board member at Marketing Science. An experienced teacher, Tyagi has won four awards at the Merage school and has served the school in many capacities, including his most recent role as personnel committee chair. His three-year term as senior associate dean took effect July 1.
Spotlight: Briscoe Gives Students Their Wings
While many scientists are drawn to study butterflies for the beauty of their wings, Adriana Mejía Briscoe’s focus is a bit different. She’s looking into their eyes. Briscoe, ecology & evolutionary biology associate professor, researches butterfly vision to find out how the insects see, and thereby gains insights into molecular evolution. Along the way, she’s helped many students evolve – into successful researchers.
Spotlight: Hicks Plays Behind-the-Scenes Role in ‘WALL-E’
For three years, ecology & evolutionary biology professor James Hicks kept his colleagues, friends and even his wife in suspense about a top-secret movie he was involved in with Disney/Pixar studios. Was the project related to the tanks of young alligators Hicks keeps in his lab, they wondered? Something to do with his pythons, perhaps? When the movie premiered June 23, they finally got their answer – and it was something of a surprise. Hicks worked as a consultant on “WALL-E,” an animated love story featuring not alligators or snakes – but robots.
|
Discovery
Study to Focus on Affirmative Action Ban Voting Trends
As the November 2008 election draws near, several states may soon find themselves voting on legislation with arguably longer-lasting effects than a four-year presidential term, says Louis DeSipio, political science associate professor. With a recently awarded $50,000 grant, DeSipio, along with researchers from UC Berkeley, will examine trends in voter-supported state bans on affirmative action programs.
|
Sports Update
Keeping Score
Visit the Athletics site for the Anteaters’ latest updates.
|
University Communications
Informing campus and community
|
|
Quicklinks
|
Quotable
Yudof on Chancellor Drake
“I’ve had several conversations with the chancellor, and he has a great heart and enormous sympathy for the Jewish people. He is a mensch.” – Mark G. Yudof, UC president, commenting on Chancellor Michael V. Drake and their recent travels to Israel together with the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange trip for American university presidents and chancellors. Jewish Ledger, July 8, 2008.
|
UCI in the News
Get a Daily Dose:
UCI in the News, a compendium of articles mentioning UCI, is available by e-mail each workday from University Communications. Contact
asamano@uci.edu
to be added to the distribution list. A 10-day archive of UCI in the News is available at:
www.uci.edu/ UCIinthenews/
For breaking news, visit Zot!Wire – UCI’s frequently updated newswire.
|
Featured Events
Free Film Series I: Elusive L.A.
The Big Lebowski.
Directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Humanities Instructional Building, Lucille Kuehn Auditorium (Room 100). Free.
Dance and Irvine Barclay Theatre
NCI Discovery 2008.
With choreographers Ma Cong, Emery LeCrone, Amy Seiwert and Edmund Stripe – invited by Molly Lynch, National Choreographers Initiative director. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Irvine Barclay Theatre. $28.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Clap and Tap Chamber Orchestra: The Art of Strings.
With the Clap and Tap Chamber Orchestra. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27. Irvine Barclay Theatre. $20.
Orange County Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium
Community Outreach Meeting.
UCI joins clinical effort to treat severe traumatic injury. 6 p.m. Monday, July 28. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton. Also, Spanish meeting July 30.
Event sponsors: Send information regarding upcoming events to
calendar@uci.edu.
|
Classes & Workshops
UC Irvine Healthcare Community Education
Maternity Tea & Tour.
1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Neuropsychiatric Conference Room 101, UC Irvine Medical Center.
UC Irvine Healthcare Community Education
Newborn Care.
6-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 25. UCI Manchester Pavilion, 200 S. Manchester Ave., Suite 840, Orange. $20. Free to patients, UCI employees and volunteers. Registration required.
Human Resources
PayQuest – Online Payment Request Process.
9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, July 29. Berkeley Place, Room 3650. UCI staff only. Free, registration required.
UC Irvine Healthcare Community Education
Diabetic Diet.
4-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4. UCI Manchester Pavilion, 200 S. Manchester Ave., Suite 840, Orange. $20. Free to patients, UCI employees and volunteers. Registration required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
