Neural mapping advance; Black history resources

Feb. 15, 2024

Anteater Time Machine: A band plays in Campus Park (later renamed Aldrich Park) in this undated archive photo.

UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

UCI Experts On: Language processing

How does language processing work, both in the brain and in computers? In the latest installment of the School of Social Science’s Experts On series, Richard Futrell, an associate professor of language science, explains how humans and computers derive meaning from text and sound inputs.

UCI-led team creates tool for neural circuit mapping

from left, front row: Michele Wu, Alexis Bouin, Ginny Wu, Qiao Ye and Xiangmin Xu; back row: Todd Holmes, Bert Semler, Orkide Koyuncu and Liqi Tong

A UCI-led research team has created 20 recombinant rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping that offer a range of significant advantages over existing tools, including the ability to detect microstructural changes in models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease brain neurons. Naturally occurring rabies infections target the nervous system. These new recombinant viral vectors are designed to target very specific components of neuron biology to analyze pathological changes that occur during Alzheimer’s disease and other brain ailments.

UCI Libraries offers list of Black history resources

To celebrate Black History Month, UCI Libraries has gathered a partial list of online resources, archival materials and media (both fiction and nonfiction), as well as recent book additions. For research help with African American studies and related topics, contact April Urban, research librarian for digital humanities and African American studies, at aprilu@uci.edu or visit guides.lib.uci.edu for a complete list of research guides.

UC NEWS

UC med students train to tackle health equity gap

Nearly two hundred future physicians gathered at UC San Diego last month for the annual UC PRIME statewide conference.

Nearly 200 future physicians gathered at UC San Diego last month for the annual UC Programs In Medical Education statewide conference. The PRIME program aims to train the next generation of doctors to help solve California’s health equity gap. Twelve students enrolled in the first PRIME program at UCI in 2004. There are currently 396 students in 10 PRIME programs at six UC medical schools, 74% of whom are from underrepresented racial groups.

SAVE THE DATE

UCI Small Jazz Groups
Wednesday, 8 p.m. (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

Changing the Subject: Lynn Nottage's “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark” and the Making of Black Women's Film History
Feb. 22, 3 p.m. (sponsored by Illuminations: The Chancellor's Arts & Culture Initiative)

“Art & Krimes by Krimes” Film Screening and Discussion
Feb. 22, 4 p.m. (sponsored by School of Law)

For more events, visit UCI Today.

#IamUCI

Nursing and computer science professor honored

Amir Rahmani, a professor of nursing and computer science with UCI’s Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing

The Association for Computing Machinery recognized Amir Rahmani, a professor of nursing and computer science with UCI’s Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing, for his contributions to the field of health technology. Specifically, he was honored for groundbreaking research in leveraging Internet of Things data and artificial intelligence for health modeling and lifestyle recommendation systems. Rahmani’s work includes the invention of ZotCare, a mobile platform that can interact with smart watches and other personal devices to monitor patient health.

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