Jan. 9, 2025

Anteater Time Machine: A juggler performs in Aldrich Park, circa 1982.

UC IRVINE NEWS

Significant Huntington’s disease discovery

Researchers have discovered the intricate molecular mechanisms that lead to Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, including frontotemporal lobar dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings were made by (from above left) Thai B. Nguyen, assistant project scientist; Leslie Thompson, the Donald Bren Professor of psychiatry & human behavior and neurobiology & behavior; and Robert Spitale, founding associate dean of research and professor of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences. They may pave the way for researchers to collaborate and share therapeutic strategies across diseases, opening additional avenues for treatment.

Study challenges traditional aging and brain health risk factors

A UC Irvine-led study has found cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are not associated with an increased risk of such harm in individuals 90 and older, and that certain medications showed potential proactive effects in combating such risk. “For decades, we’ve known that factors like high blood pressure and diabetes can injure blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk for cognitive decline and dementia,” said Dr. Ravi Rajmohan (above), a clinical instructor of neurology. “However, our research found that these patterns may change as people age.”

SoCal wildfire disaster resources

Many in the UCI community are impacted by the wildfires. For links to current fire information, including Cal Fire incident pages, as well as links for FEMA and information on UC emergency resources, please visit the Disaster Relief & Recovery page.

Additionally, below are resources that provide up to the minute alerts and tools for those located in the affected areas:

• Cal Fire’s firePLANNER Incidents website (monitor real-time incident reports by zip code)

• Los Angeles County Emergency Incident Response

• Alert LA County Emergency Notifications

• Alert Long Beach Emergency Notifications

• Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts

• Cal Fire’s “Get Ready to Go” Evacuation Guide

• Resources for SoCal Fire Victims, Evacuees, and First Responders (via LAist)

• DisasterAssistance.gov (FEMA disaster assistance)

UC Irvine also provides a variety of services for employees through the Life Resources Program. Additional resources for students include the Counseling Center and the Office of Campus Social Work, both of which are available to assist with resource referral as well as navigation of supportive services.

UC NEWS

Help choose the next UC President

With President Drake’s planned departure later this year, the UC Board of Regents is conducting a global search to recruit the next president of our university. There will be a series of town halls where community members can share their perspectives on the qualities and experience they believe the next UC president should have, including one tomorrow at 1 p.m. at UC Irvine. Similar town halls will take place at UC Davis on Jan. 17 and at UCSF on Jan. 21. Participants are encouraged to register in advance. For questions, contact ucpresidentialsearch@ucop.edu.

SAVE THE DATE

An Earth Science view of End of the Range: Charlotte Skinner in the Eastern Sierra with Julie Ferguson, Ph.D., and Valerie A. Olson, Ph.D.

Saturday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by UC Irvine Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art)

An Evening with NASA Astronaut Tracy Dyson

Wednesday, 7 p.m. (sponsored by School of Physical Sciences)

For more events, visit UCI Today.

#IamUCI

Leukemia pioneer honored for advancing research, treatment

Internationally renowned UCI Health hematologist-oncologist Dr. Susan O’Brien (above) has been honored with the Excellence in Scientific Service Award by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for her vast contributions to the field. O’Brien is a pioneer of several important therapies now regarded as the standard of care for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. “This wonderful organization has made enormous strides in accelerating the availability of new therapy for the treatment of various leukemias,” said O’Brien, who recently retired as the associate director for clinical science at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and medical director of the Sue & Ralph Stern Center for Clinical Trials & Research. “I am so honored and thrilled to receive this Excellence in Scientific Service award.”

#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.

UC IRVINE NEWSMAKERS

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