Nobel panel cites UCI scholar; Chancellor welcomes students

Oct. 2, 2023

Student musicians play instruments in Aldrich Park

Student musicians jam in Aldrich Park on Friday. Their band is called Jaguar Milk. (Photo: Steve Zylius/UCI)

UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

Nobel Prize committee cites UCI’s Phillip Felgner

Phillip Felgner, UCI professor in residence of physiology & biophysics

Today, the Nobel Prize committee awarded this year’s honor in physiology or medicine to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania for research leading to mRNA vaccines. But it’s also worth celebrating that their discoveries wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of Phillip Felgner, UCI professor in residence of physiology & biophysics, whose work in the 1990s explored the use of mRNA as a potential vaccine platform. In fact, the advanced scientific information that the Nobel committee posted for the award mentions Felgner’s contributions to the development of these vaccines. Felgner directs UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center, and he received the 2022 Robert Koch Prize and Spain’s Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research for his contributions to the creation of mRNA vaccines. Congratulations, Phil.

A welcome message from Chancellor Gillman

Chancellor Howard Gillman issued a statement today officially welcoming new students. “We are all fortunate to be part of this world of learning, discovery and engagement, and the work we do here truly matters – to us, to our community and to the world,” Gillman said. “Together, we will do great things.”

Flu vaccine clinics for students

UCI’s public health program and clinical pharmacy practice department are again banding with the Student Health Center to bring the flu vaccine to students. Through Dec. 6, the UCI Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic will be on campus Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Social Science Plaza on Ring Road. No appointment is required.

UC NEWS

‘Protect Your Digital Life – Be CyberSafe’

October marks the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security. This year, the University of California’s theme is “Protect Your Digital Life – Be CyberSafe.” Learn more about systemwide events and activities, and register to participate by visiting the UC Cybersecurity Awareness Month calendar of events.

EVENTS

Beyond the Book Author Series: The Color of Emotional Intelligence with Farah Harris
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by Division of Continuing Education)

Live-Online GRE Strategy Workshop
Wednesday, 6 p.m. (sponsored by Division of Continuing Education)

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.

#UCICONNECTED

Year of Free Speech kickoff panelists

(from left, above) Jun Jang, ASUCI president; Tiffany López, dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts; and Megan Enciso, director of student affairs for the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing.

Thursday’s Year of Free Speech kickoff event is hosted by Chancellor Howard Gillman and will feature a panel discussion moderated by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Willie Banks. The panelists are (from left, above) Jun Jang, ASUCI president; Tiffany López, dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts; and Megan Enciso, director of student affairs for the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. The virtual event, which requires registration, will conclude with a briefing by Michelle Deutchman, executive director of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, on key First Amendment and academic freedom concepts.

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UCI IN THE NEWS

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