Oct. 24 - Finding future scientists; teenage brain camp
Section 1
The Social Sciences Tower rests above its mirror image. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Francisco Javier Mercado, whose research includes the distribution of heavy metals and dark matter in galaxies, says Cal-Bridge helped him excel as an undergraduate and prepare for Ph.D. work at UCI. Photo by Steve Zylius / UCI
Cal-Bridge helps turns promising students from underrepresented groups into scientists
Cal-Bridge is a program that finds promising students at California State University and community college campuses and steers them toward UC doctoral programs, mostly in astronomy and physics. Launched in 2014, Cal-Bridge aims to boost the ranks of women and underrepresented ethnic groups among science professors and practitioners. Each Cal-Bridge scholar receives two years of financial aid and extensive mentoring from UC and CSU faculty while completing their undergraduate degree. UCI faculty played key roles in forming the now-statewide program.
High school students capture images of their specimens during Brain Camp’s visit to the Thompson-Peer lab.
UCI Brain Camp taps teenage mind energy
For two weeks this summer, teenagers from Orange County and as far away as Maryland and Florida filled the halls and laboratories of the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. They were attending UCI Brain Camp, which founding director Manuella Oliveira Yassa, a former middle school teacher, describes as “Disneyland for young brain enthusiasts.” Founded in 2019 as one of the only summer neuroscience camps in the country, the program seeks to immerse teens in the wonders of the brain and equip them with the skills necessary for success in science research.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Seniors show declining interest in COVID-19 boosters
The New York Times has published a story based on nationwide Centers for Disease Control data that suggests a declining interest among seniors in receiving COVID-19 booster shots. Although Americans over 65 remain the demographic most likely to have received the original series of vaccinations, at 92%, only 71% have received the first recommended booster, and only about 44% have received the second. Younger people have also been less likely to receive boosters than the original vaccinations, and only about one-third of all ages have received any booster. However, seniors constitute 16% of the population and are more vulnerable to the virus’s effects, accounting for three-quarters of the nation’s 1.1 million deaths.
EVENTS
Announcing the Center for Liberation, Anti-Racism, and Belonging (C-LAB)
Wednesday, 4 p.m. (sponsored by C-LAB)
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.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
UCI Unveils Samueli-Backed Integrative Health Center
Orange County Business Journal, Oct. 24
Cited: Chad Lefteris, CEO of UCI Health
Where $30 Billion to Fix Systemic Racism Actually Goes
The New York Times, Oct. 21
Cited: Mehrsa Baradaran, professor of law
Local Museums Rev Up
Orange Coast Magazine, Oct. 21
Cited: Kim Kanatani, director of the Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art
#UCICONNECTED
Anteater alums: Don’t forget to register for Homecoming!
Although Homecoming isn’t happening until Feb. 11, 2023, now is the time to register for the event. Don’t miss out on the chance to reunite with Anteater friends and make new ones. The festivities at Aldrich Park will include a Ferris wheel, food trucks, carnival food, live music, fireworks, pre-game rally, exclusive reunion events and more. The men’s basketball team will take on UC Riverside at the Bren Events Center. Early bird tickets (available now) are just $7 ($10 after Jan. 13), and are free for UCI students and children under 12.
#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.