Nov. 1 - UCI’s esports powerhouse, Langson IMCA launches interactive digital experience
Section 1
Students pass a Nancy Doran sculpture garden behind the Science Library. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
L.A. Times shows UCI Esports as powerhouse
Esports — video games as competitive sport — have become a big deal for more than 170 universities fielding teams across North America. This isn’t quite NCAA football or basketball, but UCI has a coaching staff and uniformed squads playing in leagues based on three popular games: “Overwatch 2,” “League of Legends” and “Valorant.” The Anteaters play their matches at a dedicated esports arena in the Student Center, a large space filled with row upon row of computer stations. UCI’s esports program is one of the best in the country, and it’s led by Mark Deppe, UCI’s esports director.
Resist vaccine fatigue
Flu season has arrived remarkably early and it promises to be the worst in years. UCI Health experts are urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The last two flu seasons were mild because most people were masking and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now that masks are off and life is largely back to normal, health experts worry that vaccine fatigue has set in. “Many people are tired of hearing about COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots,” says Dr. Susan Huang, UCI Health medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention. “But this winter’s COVID, flu and respiratory virus season should not be ignored. Vaccines are the best prevention.”
Anaheim Ducks tickets
The Anaheim Ducks are offering discounted tickets to 2022-2023 season games exclusively to UCI and UCI Health employees. More information and ticket prices: www.AnaheimDucks.com/UCIHealth
What to do with prerequisites?
In the latest issue of #DenninInsights, Vice Provost Michael Dennin discusses the systematic failures that often lead to students being underprepared for upper-division courses. He offers suggestions and resources for evaluating the effectiveness of lower-division prerequisite courses.
Langson IMCA launches interactive digital experience of California impressionist landscape paintings
The UCI Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art launched Beyond the Frame: Impressions of California, an interactive, digital experience showcasing a selection of Langson IMCA’s collection of California impressionist paintings. Set in a stylized digital landscape, selected works are organized in four virtual galleries that transition from dawn to night, conveying the effects of light at different times of the day. Within the four virtual galleries, visitors encounter a selection of paintings accompanied by information about the artists.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Respiratory syncytial virus cases growing in Orange County
Orange County is seeing very high numbers of respiratory illness, specifically Respiratory Syncytial Virus severely impacting capacity in pediatric hospitals causing the Orange County Health Care Agency to issue a Declaration of Health Emergency. RSV is a viral illness that causes symptoms such as trouble breathing. While there is not a vaccine for RSV, there are many ways to protect children and at-risk individuals, including staying home when sick. UCI Health has more information about RSV, including ways to treat it and to prevent it.
Mathematician who fled to freedom still stares down doubts
Quanta Magazine tells the story of UCI Distinguished Professor of math Svetlana Jitomirskaya, who was born in Ukraine, but left the Soviet Union to escape sexism and antisemitism. Even though her work in mathematical physics has now been honored with one of the field’s top prizes, she finds herself still fighting old battles.
EVENTS
The physical and emotional benefits of laughter
Thursday, noon (sponsored by HR Wellness)
Smart Cycling
Thursday, noon (sponsored by Transportation and Distribution Services)
Civic & Community Engagement Minor Information Session
Thursday, 1 p.m. (sponsored by Office of Civic Engagement)
Anteater Spirit: Student Activism That (Re)shaped UCI, 1965 to Now
Thursday, 5:30 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Libraries)
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.
South Koreans Rattled by Grisly Footage of Halloween Crowd Crush in Seoul
The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 1
Cited: Alison Holman, professor of nursing
Scientists Are Gaining on R.S.V., a Persistent Threat to Children
The New York Times, Nov. 1
Cited: Coleen Cunningham, chair of pediatrics department
The #1 Thing You Can Do to Lower Your Dementia Risk
Eat This, Not That!, Nov. 1
Cited: Michael Yassa, director of Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
#UCICONNECTED
UCI Men’s Soccer tweets: Offense plus defense equals Big West Freshman of the Week love for Nolan!
#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.