AI in education; DNA and nicotine addiction

April 30, 2024

Flowers bloom near the schools of law and education. (Photo: Sia Aggarwal)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Campus encampment

Chancellor Howard Gillman released a statement on the unauthorized encampment that was set up Monday morning near Rowland Hall, in an area where classes are taught and research is conducted. “I want to be clear that (a) we support the right of our community to protest, (b) we will stand against non-affiliates taking over university spaces where their activities threaten our core mission, and (c) we will work with all of our students if they believe it is important for them to have an encampment space that is effective and non-disruptive,” Gillman said. “We remain committed to collaborating with our students to maintain a safe environment that supports our core educational and research missions.”

UCI Podcast: AI in education

Assistant professors of education Shayan Doroudi and Nia Nixon run research labs on the use of artificial intelligence in education. How are artificial intelligence tools affecting teaching and learning? What are some of the most promising applications? How is AI being used to personalize learning experiences – and what are the benefits and drawbacks of that approach? What’s next? These are some of the questions Nixon and Doroudi address in this episode of the UCI Podcast.

Does DNA influence nicotine addiction?

A three-year, $1.19 million grant from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program will enable UC Irvine researchers led by Shahrdad Lotfipour, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, to explore how specific sections of DNA might influence nicotine addiction. Deeper insights into these neurological processes may lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for cigarette and vaping habits.

Using dance to combat diabetes among Latinos

Since its inception in late 2023, UC Irvine’s effort to combat diabetes in the Latino community has made significant progress in addressing an escalating health crisis. One unusual aspect of the program is a Latin-based social dance program that includes workshops on campus, followed by expanded programs with local community partners.

#UCIconnected

Documentary features identical twin research

The recent Netflix documentary series “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” spotlights an identical twin study that included contributions from Matthew J. Landry, now an assistant professor of population health and disease prevention at UC Irvine. As the series unfolds, viewers are taken through the study, which reveals the positive effects of a vegan diet on cardiovascular health. Landry’s current work revolves around identifying diets for chronic disease prevention, with an interest in promoting plant-based diets through behavioral interventions. He plans to explore follow-up studies stemming from the Netflix-featured twin experiment.

#UCIconnected spotlights interesting updates from the UC Irvine community. #IamUCI spotlights profiles of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected or #IamUCI hashtags.