2026 UC Health – CDI2 Data Conference

March 16, 2026

UC Irvine Digest header featuring 60 years badge
Vibrant hot-pink blooms in Aldrich Park

Colorful trumpet trees punctuate the landscape in Aldrich Park and create canopies of vibrant, hot-pink blooms. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Match Day driven by mentorship

Dr. John Scolaro (left), UC Irvine associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery and graduating medical student Saman Andalib (right)

Saman Andalib (right), graduating UC Irvine medical student, credits mentorship from UCI Health doctors for guiding his decision to specialize in orthopedic surgery. He says of his work with Dr. John Scolaro (left), associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery: “He is someone who truly looks to push the field of orthopedic surgery forward. That experience sparked my own interest in being at the forefront of innovation, and it’s something I want to incorporate throughout my career.”

Partners in Community badge

Regional Science Olympiad

Youtube player featuring video on Science Olympiad at UC Irvine

Middle and high school students from around Orange County came to UC Irvine’s School of Physical Sciences last month for a regional Science Olympiad competition. About 1,225 students from 53 schools participated. This video offers an overview of the annual event.

Why colds affect people differently

Man and woman sitting on a sofa with tissues, appearing unwell.

Have you ever noticed how the common cold hits some people harder and longer than others? One reason lurks in our noses and throats. “People with stronger, faster immune responses in their nose and throat lining tend to have milder colds,” said Dr. Shruti Gohil, UCI Health infectious disease expert. “That’s because they can attack the virus before it spreads in the body.” But immune system strength isn’t the only factor.

UC NEWS

2026 UC Health – CDI2 Data Conference

Join the UC Health systemwide data conference, presented by the Center for Data-Driven Insights & Innovation on April 14 and 15 at UC Irvine. Connect with a diverse community of professionals and industry leaders in AI, biomedicine, health data governance and real-world evidence, with presentations showcasing initiatives across the UC Health system.

#IamUCI

Alumni In Action: Shelley Hoss

Youtube player featuring UC Irvine Alumni video with Shelley Hoss

Shelley Hoss, M.B.P.A. '87, has built her career on the power of community. As CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation, she helps others turn generosity into impact. In this video, discover how her UC Irvine experience shaped a lifelong mission to connect people, passion and purpose.

#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

Outside logo

A New Study and Accompanying Docuseries Explore How Awe Can Boost Your Brain


Outside, March 16

Cited: Paul Piff, associate professor of psychology

NBC News logo

Flying in America is about to get more expensive and less fun


NBC News, March 16

Cited: Jan Brueckner, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of economics

Washington Post logo

What Earth’s longest-lived animals can teach us about aging better


The Washington Post, March 14

Cited: Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, associate professor of physiology and biophysics

Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. UC Irvine Libraries offers free subscriptions to The New York Times, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

Instagram icon
Facebook icon
LinkedIn icon
Twitter icon
YouTube icon

The UC Irvine Digest is a roundup of essential campus, UCI Health and UC announcements, plus UC Irvine news and events of wide interest.

© 2026 UC Regents

Office of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697

UC Irvine News | UC Irvine Today | UC Irvine Digest Archive

Contact us | Manage your subscription