UCI School of Biological Sciences May 2023 Newsletter
This newsletter features Dr. Tobin Hammer, Dr. Adriana Briscoe, Dr. Sarah Kimball
      Dear BioSci Community, I recently attended the 2023 Spring Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Meeting in Washington, D.C. It was an eye-opening experience that reaffirmed the importance of our work here at BioSci. One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the social determinants of Alzheimer’s disease. It was fascinating to learn about the different factors — including education level, community, income and access to healthcare — that can contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing this and any other disease. As I listened to the presentations and participated in the discussions, I couldn’t help but feel proud of the work our faculty are already doing in their respective fields. However, there is still much to be done. We must continue to push boundaries and pursue daring concepts. The health and well-being of us and our planet depends on discoveries made in the life sciences. Thank you for all that you do, and for your commitment to making a positive impact on the world through your commitment to BioSci. Sincerely,  Frank M. LaFerla, PhD Dean and Chancellor’s Professor UCI School of Biological Sciences |dean.bio.uci.edu DISCOVER THE LIVING WORLD  Assistant Professor Roberto Tinoco and graduate student Julia DeRogatis are co-authors on a study published in the Journal of Virology that has revealed a new discovery about how T cells respond to viral infections. > Read more.  Assistant Professor Christopher Halbrook and collaborators have identified key themes in pancreatic cancer research that could lead to transformative treatments and improved outcomes for patients. > Read more.  Assistant Professor Tobin Hammer and team shed light on the subterranean microbreweries of ground-nesting bees. > Read more. NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS  Professor Adriana Briscoe was quoted in a recent article about eye evolution. > Read more .  Director of the Center for Environmental Biology Professor Sarah Kimball talked about California’s wildflowers with LAist. > Read more. BIOSCI SPOTLIGHT  Tina Dominguez Department Administrator Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do at BioSci? A: It’s only been a good five months coming back to BioSci as Department Administrator for NBB, yet I am enjoying this role so much more than I expected. Being able to interact with our students, faculty, and BioSci units at a different level has been an enlightenment. I love seeing how the different units come together to help our students, faculty, and department. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead and the positive growth BioSci will take us to. Q: What is your proudest accomplishment? A: My proudest accomplishment personally would be prioritizing traveling the past five years. Seeing different parts of Europe, Asia, U.S., Mexico, and going on cruises has been a true adventure and inspiring. I’m grateful that it was within my path to experience. You only live life once so add it to your bucket list too! Q: What is something most people don’t know about you? A: Surprisingly, even though I’ve done a lot of traveling; majority of it being tropical areas, I do not know how to swim. Yeah, I should really learn. But another fun fact is that I’ve gone skydiving twice in my lifetime so far.      Copyright © 2023, UCI BioSci All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 5120 Natural Sciences II Irvine, CA 92697 |
Dear BioSci Community,
I recently attended the 2023 Spring Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Meeting in Washington, D.C. It was an eye-opening experience that reaffirmed the importance of our work here at BioSci.
One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the social determinants of Alzheimer’s disease. It was fascinating to learn about the different factors — including education level, community, income and access to healthcare — that can contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing this and any other disease.
As I listened to the presentations and participated in the discussions, I couldn’t help but feel proud of the work our faculty are already doing in their respective fields. However, there is still much to be done. We must continue to push boundaries and pursue daring concepts. The health and well-being of us and our planet depends on discoveries made in the life sciences.
Thank you for all that you do, and for your commitment to making a positive impact on the world through your commitment to BioSci.
Sincerely,
Frank M. LaFerla, PhD
Dean and Chancellor’s Professor
UCI School of Biological Sciences
|dean.bio.uci.edu
DISCOVER THE LIVING WORLD
Assistant Professor Roberto Tinoco and graduate student Julia DeRogatis are co-authors on a study published in the Journal of Virology that has revealed a new discovery about how T cells respond to viral infections. > Read more.
Assistant Professor Christopher Halbrook and collaborators have identified key themes in pancreatic cancer research that could lead to transformative treatments and improved outcomes for patients.
> Read more.
Assistant Professor Tobin Hammer and team shed light on the subterranean microbreweries of ground-nesting bees. > Read more.
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Professor Adriana Briscoe was quoted in a recent article about eye evolution.
> Read more.
Director of the Center for Environmental Biology Professor Sarah Kimball talked about California’s wildflowers with LAist. > Read more.
BIOSCI SPOTLIGHT
Tina DominguezDepartment Administrator
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do at BioSci?
A: It’s only been a good five months coming back to BioSci as Department Administrator for NBB, yet I am enjoying this role so much more than I expected. Being able to interact with our students, faculty, and BioSci units at a different level has been an enlightenment. I love seeing how the different units come together to help our students, faculty, and department. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead and the positive growth BioSci will take us to.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
A: My proudest accomplishment personally would be prioritizing traveling the past five years. Seeing different parts of Europe, Asia, U.S., Mexico, and going on cruises has been a true adventure and inspiring. I’m grateful that it was within my path to experience. You only live life once so add it to your bucket list too!
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: Surprisingly, even though I’ve done a lot of traveling; majority of it being tropical areas, I do not know how to swim. Yeah, I should really learn. But another fun fact is that I’ve gone skydiving twice in my lifetime so far.
Copyright © 2023, UCI BioSci All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
5120 Natural Sciences II
Irvine, CA 92697