Feb. 5, 2026

Anteater Time Machine: A procession of classic cars drive through campus, circa 1977. (Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Libraries Archives)

UC IRVINE NEWS

O.C.'s innovation ecosystem

(David Kisailus, professor of materials science and engineering, was among the speakers from UC Irvine. Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

“Innovation” was the word of the day at an event featuring campus, business and national leaders in the areas of entrepreneurship and intellectual property at UC Irvine’s Beall Applied Innovation. “Orange County Innovation Ecosystem: How Strong Patent Protections Enable Our Country to Thrive” was created by the Orange County Business Council, the Council for Innovation Promotion and UC Irvine. “UC Irvine is a central part of the ecosystem of discovery that improves our lives,” said Matthew Hanson, director of new ventures.

Orange County Holocaust oral history project

After more than 30 years, the complete set of more than 150 firsthand accounts of Orange County residents who experienced the Holocaust is now available and searchable online. The Orange County Holocaust oral history project oral histories, originally recorded in the mid-1990s, are filled with stories of community, betrayal, trauma and survival.

Conversation with 2026 Stockholm Prize winner

In this episode of The UC Irvine Podcast, Charis Kubrin, professor of criminology, law and society, shares her reaction when she learned about the Stockholm honor, talks about her life’s work and how it’s particularly relevant in today’s global climate. She also addresses the rigors of trying to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.

Enjoying the mountains safely in winter

A snow-covered mountain trail presents a vastly different challenge than the same dry trail does. Snow and ice significantly increase the risk of injury or death. Nearly every year, people die while hiking Southern California mountains because of a failure to prepare, and most importantly, a failure to recognize when to turn back. Dr. Robert Katzer, UCI Health emergency medicine physician and wilderness medicine expert, shares his tips for enjoying the local mountains safely.

UC NEWS

UC sets enrollment records

The University of California announced a record-breaking 301,093 students enrolled for fall 2025, the largest student body in the system’s history. “These numbers reflect California’s commitment to academic excellence, access and innovation – values that have made the University of California the world’s greatest research university,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “The value of a UC degree is abundantly clear. An investment in UC is the best investment in the future of our students, California’s workforce and the state’s economy.”

SAVE THE DATE

Grad Slam

Feb. 6, 9 a.m. (sponsored by Graduate Division)

Adventures in Physics

Feb. 7, 1 p.m. (sponsored by School of Physical Sciences)

Sounding Iran: Musical Pasts, Presents and Futures

Feb. 7, 8 p.m. and multiple subsequent dates (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

Transfer Transition to Graduate School Week

Feb. 9, 1 p.m. and multiple subsequent dates (sponsored by Transfer Student Center)

UC Irvine Lunar New Year Celebration

Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m. (sponsored by School of Social Sciences)

UCI Symphony Orchestra Express

Feb. 11, 8 p.m. (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

For more events, visit UC Irvine Today.

#UCIconnected

Anonymous gift for scholarships

A generous gift from an anonymous UC Irvine alumnus will provide critical financial support to undergraduate students in the School of Social Ecology for years to come. The donor, who graduated from UC Irvine in the 1960s, has established a $300,000 endowment that will fund at least one annual scholarship of $15,000 for students in the school. “This transformative gift demonstrates the lasting impact that a UC Irvine education can have,” said Jon Gould, dean of the School of Social Ecology. “We are deeply grateful for this alumnus’ commitment to supporting the next generation of social ecology students.”

#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.

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