May 18, 2026

Students share their projects at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Bren Events Center. Scroll to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Aomawa Shields receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar award

Aomawa Shields, associate professor of physics and astronomy (above), has received the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to teach and conduct research in Italy for the 2026-27 academic year. Shields will have a three-month lectureship in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Bologna. She will design special coursework to provide students with insight into planetary environments and habitability. Shields will also lead mindful rest workshops for students and faculty, as she has done at UC Irvine.

Hope for spinal cord injury patients

UC Irvine researchers (from left) Dr. An Do, associate professor of neurology; Payam Heydari, professor of electrical engineering and computer science; and Zoran Nenadic, professor of biomedical engineering.

UC Irvine researchers have developed a bidirectional brain-computer interface to allow a person to control a robotic walking exoskeleton using brain signals and receive artificial leg sensation through direct electrical stimulation of the sensory cortex. The system enables patients with spinal cord impairments to regain both the ability to walk and the associated sensation, which results in safer, more realistic movement. “This work demonstrates that it’s feasible to restore both the motor and sensory dimensions of walking using a single, compact, embedded brain-computer interface system,” said Dr. An Do (above, left). “We believe this lays a critical foundation for the development of fully implantable systems that could one day give paraplegic patients a meaningful and natural sense of movement.” The National Science Foundation helped support the research. #SpeakUp4Science

Register to vote

Cast your ballot in the 2026 California Primary Election on or before Tuesday, June 2. The registration deadline for the 2026 Statewide Primary Election is today, May 18. To register to vote online, access the California Secretary of State’s online voter registration page. If you are not registered to vote, you may register in person and cast your ballot. You must be 18 years old or older, a U.S. citizen and reside in Orange County to complete the same-day voting process at an Orange County Vote Center. Find additional vote center information at the OC Registrar of Voters at ocvote.gov.

Calming down: Recipes for stress relief

A nutrient-dense diet acts as a crucial buffer against stress, mitigating its harmful effects on the body, mind and emotions. “Nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are especially important,” said Katie Rankell, a registered dietitian and program director of the UCI Health Weight Management Program. “They contribute to brain health and the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which helps promote a sense of calm.” This month’s restorative recipes nourish both body and mind, helping to create a more grounded, relaxed state of being.

UC NEWS

Travel webinars

The Central Travel Office invites the UC community to participate in its travel webinar series designed to help get the most out of the UC Travel Program. Whether booking regularly or just need a refresher, the sessions are packed with practical tips, insider knowledge and time for answering questions.

#IamUCI

A voice shaped by community

Zayaan Khan, who will graduate next month with a bachelor’s degree in social policy and public service and quantitative economics, did not expect to become a commencement speaker. When he arrived at UC Irvine, he was still figuring out where he fit. Four years later, he stands as a leader in the School of Social Sciences, preparing to address his graduating class with a message shaped by research, community and personal growth. “I came in like any other freshman, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “Over time, I built that confidence through the community at UC Irvine and by developing my professional identity.”

#UCIconnected

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Photos by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program hosted the Undergraduate Research Symposium, an annual event where hundreds of undergraduates present the results of their research or creative activities.

#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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