June 17, 2025

Graduates celebrate at the School of Social Ecology/School of Humanities commencement ceremony. Scroll to see more commencement photos. (Photos by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine.)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Researchers create method for converting urine into high-value bio-implant material

A research team has engineered a yeast platform that converts human urine from wastewater into hydroxyapatite, a high-value, biocompatible substance for use in dental and bone implants, restoration of archaeological artifacts and other applications. The researchers offer a techno-economic analysis of the technique to transform urine – which can seriously damage watersheds – into HAp, a calcium phosphate mineral projected to hold a market value of more than $3.5 billion by 2030. “This process achieves two goals at the same time,” said co-author David Kisailus, professor of materials science and engineering. “On the one hand, it helps remove human urine from wastewater streams, mitigating environmental pollution and the buildup of unwanted nutrients; and on the other hand, it produces a material that can be commercially marketed for use in a variety of settings.” The research project received financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

UCI Health celebrates opening of Tony and Daisy Fan Family Café

UCI Health Chief Operating Officer Nathan Shinagawa, front center, and Vice President of Operations Hoda Assadian, front right, share a photo with co-workers in the new Tony and Daisy Fan Family Café in the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building.

More than 300 co-workers recently came together to celebrate the grand opening of the Tony and Daisy Fan Family Café on the first floor of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building in Irvine. The café is open for all to enjoy the variety of culinary and beverage offerings in a calming environment with an abundance of natural light. Patients and visitors can also take advantage of ordering snacks, juice or an iced latte via a mobile app. The café is open 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

FDA approves new drops to treat dry eye disease

The Federal Drug Administration has approved a neuromodulating eye drop that treats the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease that will be sold under the brand name TRYPTYR. Dr. Marjan Farid, an internationally recognized UCI Health ophthalmologist and director of UCI Health Severe Ocular Surface Disease Program at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute where she specializes in the treatment of ocular surface disorders, said "Many of my patients continue to face frustrating challenges with dry eye management. There is a clear need for additional treatment options. TRYPTYR is the first eye drop that stimulates corneal nerves to directly address tear deficiency, a known cause of dry eye disease."

*Please note that the UC Irvine Digest will take a brief hiatus, returning on July 7, and will run on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer.

UC NEWS

UC Spotlight: June

The monthly UC Spotlight celebrates the UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. The June issue features two items from UC irvine: Barry Oh, campus controller and assistant vice chancellor for accounting and fiscal services, has been selected for the 2025-26 NACUBO Fellows Program; and the 12th annual Dynamic Womxn Awards recognized Megan Belmonte, director of access and engagement at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, and Monica Schnapp, assistant director of sorority and fraternity life in Student Affairs.

#IamUCI

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UC IRVINE NEWSMAKERS

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