African malaria study grant; U.S. immigration classic updated

May 20, 2024

Construction continues on the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, scheduled to open next year. (Photo: Steve Zylius/UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Professor receives $4.3 million to study malaria in Africa

Child receiving vaccine with inset image of Guiyun Yan, PhD, a professor of population health and disease prevention

The National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases has awarded Guiyun Yan, PhD, a professor of population health and disease prevention, $4.3 million to study the spread of malaria in Africa. The funding establishes UC Irvine as one of the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research, which will engage malaria research in endemic and epidemic regions. Over the next five years, Yan will lead a consortium of American and Ethiopian institutions to study the biology of invasive Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia, develop new surveillance tools and methods to track vector spread and identify cost-effective vector control methods for urban settings. “There’s a lack of knowledge regarding the factors that facilitate or limit the spread of An. stephensi in Africa,” said Yan. “This center grant provides us an exciting opportunity to develop new tools and methods to effectively address these gaps.”

Professor publishes fifth update of classic U.S. immigration study

Graphic shows book cover of Immigrant America on left and Rumbaut on right

Rubén G. Rumbaut, a Distinguished Professor of sociology, and Alejandro Portes of both Princeton University and the University of Miami, have published their fifth decennial update of the story of U.S. immigration. A modern classic, Immigrant America: A Portrait, is considered foundational to the field. The newly updated work examines major periods of U.S. immigration history – including, over the past decade, seismic shifts in the wake of political policymaking and the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumbaut recently reflected on the evolution of Immigrant America from its inception, alongside snapshots of how changing flows and patterns of immigration continue to transform the American mosaic.

Eye Mobile for Children preserves vision for needy kids

Since 2015, the UCI Health Eye Mobile for Children has roamed Orange County to detect treatable eye problems in preschool and elementary school students. More than 34,000 children have received services on the 33-foot converted motorhome, which visits 12 districts throughout the county. When eye problems are detected, children are referred to an optometrist for a comprehensive examination. If prescription glasses are needed, they are provided with a free pair through the program, which is part of the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.

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Charting the rise of invasive species in coastal ecosystems

Cascade Sorte, an associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology, operates a state-of-the-art research laboratory that uses data from coastal ecosystems both local and worldwide to better understand how warmer water is affecting sea life. Sorte’s studies have revealed the alarming reality that climate change often favors invasive species over native ones, disrupting fragile ecosystems along coastlines. As she and her fellow researchers continue to explore the complexities of coastal ecosystems, Sorte seeks to share the results of that work with resource managers who are in positions to help mitigate the potentially harmful effects of new invasive species – such as predators and fast-growing competitors – in fragile marine ecosystems. “I keep trying to contribute to the knowledge base but also synthesize it.” Adds Sorte: “Some people do research in their area or on a global level. I try to be a person that bridges that gap.”

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