Climate Action Fellows; athlete on AANHPI Month

May 2, 2024

Anteater Time Machine: In late 1965, the Irvine Town Center was a cluster of trailers that housed (from left) a U.S. post office (with flag), the University Interfaith Center, a Bank of America branch and the University Bookstore. Under construction in the background is the Town Center’s first permanent building, across the street from UC Irvine’s main entrance.

UC IRVINE NEWS

Biologist named to National Academy of Sciences

Evolutionary biologist Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. A professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, Briscoe studies the evolution of vision in butterflies, and her discoveries have been featured on television and in museums around the globe. Her lab uses the insects to examine how color vision mediates ecological interactions among butterflies, host plants and the environment in the context of mimicry and species recognition. She also conducts field and laboratory research that spans genetics, physiology and behavior to increase knowledge of butterflies’ visual and temperature responses to climate change. Briscoe is among 24 active members from UC Irvine who have received this honor.

Sustainability achievements and tips from UC Irvine

Climate Action Fellows promote sustainability

(from left) Jazmín Romero, Angelu Lesaca and Kendall Lankford

The Bonnie Reiss Climate Action Fellowship Program funds student projects that support the UC system’s climate goals. UC Irvine has three Climate Action Fellows per school year: The 2023-24 cohort is (from left) Jazmín Romero, Angelu Lesaca and Kendall Lankford, and they are dedicated, respectively, to decarbonization, resilience and student engagement. They also participate in UCOP’s Global Climate Leadership Council meetings, which convene faculty and associates from across the UC system to share ideas and strategies on integrating the university’s sustainability goals into its teaching, research and public service missions.

Hospital groundskeepers go electric

Sustainability efforts touch numerous corners at UCI Health, including the groundskeeping equipment at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Instead of gas-powered vehicles, 35 bikes and nine electric carts are used to respond to calls. The facilities management department also switched more than 25 landscaping tools to electric power, including riding lawn mowers, trimmers, weed whackers and blowers.

SAVE THE DATE

DJ Rekha Workshop + Performance
Wednesday, 7 p.m. (sponsored by Illuminations: The Chancellor’s Arts & Culture Initiative)

For more events, visit UCI Today.

#IamUCI

‘In their own words:’ Lauren Thai

“My mother is Peruvian and Irish, and my father is Vietnamese. [Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander] Heritage Month is so important to me because it is a time to cherish, celebrate and acknowledge all the amazing people who share similar experiences or feelings. As an Asian American female collegiate athlete, I think it is so important to be a strong role model to all the young girls out there who are just like me. I hope to embody hard work, kindness and, most importantly, be a good representation of how to love and embrace my culture.”

– Lauren Thai, sophomore, women's track & field team

#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.