Feb. 25, 2025

Daisies bloom behind the Humanities Gateway building. (Photo by Steve Zylius/UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Henry Samueli awarded IEEE Medal of Honor

Henry Samueli, a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of electrical engineering & computer science and namesake of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has awarded Henry Samueli, a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of electrical engineering & computer science and namesake of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, a 2025 IEEE Medal of Honor, its highest distinction. Samueli was recognized for his pioneering research in broadband communications technologies and for his generous support – with his wife, Susan Samueli – of science, technology, health, engineering and mathematics education and research at institutions in Southern California and beyond. “Henry Samueli’s unparalleled contributions to the field of broadband communications transformed how the world communicates and laid the foundation for the modern digital era,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “He is a true visionary, and we are proud and honored to count him among this university’s greatest supporters.”

A screenshot from Youtube video featuring Maksim Plikus and Raul Ramos

UC Irvine biologists have discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. They found that lipocartilage found in the ears, nose and throat of mammals is uniquely packed with fat-filled cells that enable the tissue to remain soft and springy – similar to bubbled packaging material. “The discovery opens doors to countless research opportunities,” said the study’s lead author, Raul Ramos, a postdoctoral researcher in the Maksim Plikus laboratory for developmental and regenerative biology. “Our findings underscore the versatility of lipids beyond metabolism and suggest new ways to harness their properties in tissue engineering and medicine.”

Two UCI Health hospitals recognized in 2025 Women’s Choice Awards

UCI Medical Center in Orange was recognized by the Women's Choice Award in several categories, including bariatric surgery, cancer care, breast care, obstetrics and stroke care

UCI Medical Center and UCI Health — Placentia Linda have been recognized by the Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals for offering a high-quality, safe experience for patients. UCI Medical Center in Orange was honored in several categories, including cancer care, comprehensive breast care and women’s services. UCI Health — Placentia Linda was recognized for outpatient experience, receiving an 88% recommendation from patients seen in ambulatory locations.

UC NEWS

UC Irvine professor among 17 UC faculty members named 2025 Sloan Research fellows

Lauren Albrecht, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences

#IamUCI

Ana Diaz-Santos

Ana Diaz-Santos is taking a break from student life for a one-year internship at Apple as a materials product design engineer. She’s a materials science & engineering student, and before going to Apple, was also an undergraduate researcher at the Advanced Casting Research Center. Her specialty is working with ceramics and glass – the latter of which is used in many Apple products – to improve their quality. She recently sat down with the Henry Samueli School of Engineering to answer 10 questions about her exciting decision to take an academic leave to work at Apple.

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