Oct. 26 - Human skin and indoor spaces; Who is LaserChick?
Section 1
A master engineer itself, an orb weaver waits for prey in its web adjacent to Engineering Hall. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Desiré Whitmore’s obsession with quantum mechanics fueled her desire to inspire a more diverse next generation of scientists.
Who is LaserChick?
Desiré Whitmore may not be a hero in the comic-book sense, but the self-described Blaxican American physicist (whose moniker is LaserChick) is indeed an inspiring role model for children – especially girls – from underrepresented communities who are interested in STEM careers. As a staff physicist educator for the Teacher Institute of San Francisco’s Exploratorium, Whitmore, who earned a Ph.D. at UCI in 2011, amplifies her impact on the next generation by developing and teaching hands-on activities that middle and high school teachers can use to spark their students’ interest in and excitement about science.
Study participants like these helped reveal how our skin plays a role in altering the chemistry of indoor spaces. Photo by Mikal Schlosser
Understanding how skin alters the chemistry of indoor spaces
People typically spend 90% of their lives inside, at home, at work or in transport. Within these enclosed spaces, they are exposed to a multitude of chemicals from various sources, including outdoor pollutants penetrating indoors, gaseous emissions from building materials and furnishings, and products of our own activities such as cooking and cleaning. In addition, we are potent mobile emission sources of chemicals that enter the indoor air from our breath and skin. But how do the chemicals disappear again? A new UCI study provides some answers.
Prepare for healthy holiday cooking
With the hectic holiday season almost upon us, are you pondering what to serve at family feasts or bring to parties as healthy alternatives to traditional high-calorie fare? Fortunately, Jessica Van Roo, executive chef of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health, has prepared some delicious recipes you can make in advance to keep you on track and brighten any table.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
China rolls out inhalable COVID-19 booster
A new injection-free form of administering COVID-19 vaccination boosters revealed itself today as Chinese health officials began using an inhalable COVID-19 vaccine. The medicinal mist, which is sucked in through the mouth, is being offered for free as a booster dose for previously vaccinated people. China, which continues to operate an unpopular “Zero COVID” strategy of mass quarantining, hopes the new boosters will make it easier to vaccinate its population. As of mid-October, 90% of Chinese were fully vaccinated and 57% had received a booster shot.
EVENTS
Three Authors from The Programs In Writing at UCI
Friday, 5 p.m. (sponsored by Illuminations: The Chancellor's Arts & Culture Initiative)
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.
Special Report: The Hellish New Trauma of Living Through Multiple Mass Tragedies at Once
Cosmopolitan, Oct. 26
Cited: Roxane Cohen Silver, Distinguished Professor of psychological science, medicine and public health
Exploring Oaxacan culture after LA city councilmembers' anti-Indigenous remarks
WBUR (audio), Oct. 25
Cited: Brenda Nicolas, assistant professor of global and international studies
Fact check: Greenland still losing ice due to greenhouse gas emissions, experts say
USA Today, Oct. 24
Cited: Eric Rignot, Chancellor’s Professor of Earth system science
#UCICONNECTED
Happy National Pumpkin Day!
Harrison Unger, a first-year School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences student, was inspired by @PeterTAnteater to create a jack-o'-lantern with a lot of #UCIPride. Unger has set a very high bar in both spookiness and school spirit, but we’re sure there are more contenders out there. Send them our way!
#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.