The inaugural event, on Oct. 5 and 6 at the Orange County Great Park, is a component of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.

Snuff, snus and e-cigarettes are touted as safer substitutes, but David Timberlake, associate professor of public health, cautions that smokeless doesn’t necessarily mean harmless.

Freshmen have already enjoyed such UC Irvine traditions as Monday’s New Student Convocation and involvement fair.

A director and choreographer of musical theater and concert dance, he’s bringing his unique workshops to UCI’s Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Southern California, in Orange.

Institute director Frank LaFerla discusses the influential event and the current state of efforts to prevent, treat and cure the disorder.