May 19, 2026

Vibrant, magenta spikes of vertical salvia bloom near the Humanities Gateway. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

W. M. Keck Foundation to support early-career scientists

The W. M. Keck Foundation has awarded UC Irvine a $1.2 million grant as part of a special initiative to support early-career scientists facing uncertainty in federal research funding. “This investment comes at a pivotal moment for the research community,” said Aileen Anderson, vice chancellor for research (above). “By supporting early-career scientists and their students, the Keck Foundation is helping preserve the continuity of discovery and ensuring that promising ideas and talent are not lost during a period of funding uncertainty. These awards not only sustain critical research today but also strengthen the pipeline of innovation for the future.”

Unhoused cost analysis

Orange County United Way and UC Irvine have renewed partnership to probe expenses associated with assistance for Orange County’s unhoused population. The study builds on a 2017 analysis that found $299 million in annual costs and showed permanent supportive housing could reduce expenditures by nearly 50 percent. “This study will provide Orange County with the most current, evidence-based understanding of the costs and effectiveness of homelessness interventions since 2017, establishing a clear understanding of which approaches yield the greatest improvements in housing stability and overall well-being for unhoused individuals, while reducing the costs to our community,” said Rachel Goldberg, associate professor of sociology. “Our findings will help establish an updated, shared baseline from which our community leaders and stakeholders can work together to solve one of our region’s most urgent challenges.”

Burn patients turn scars into works of art

The UCI Health Regional Burn Center organized an art workshop for burn survivors and their loved ones to aid their healing journey through art. It was led by Seattle-based burn survivor and artist Grace Flott. “As an artist and burn survivor myself, I know the power of art to connect us with ourselves and with the community,” she said. “Making prints from our burn scars allows us to see our bodies in a totally new context – printed on paper, our scars become more than just symbols of pain and trauma; they turn into beautiful shapes, textures and colors filled with meaning and purpose.”

UC NEWS

UC faculty and staff rally for state investment in science

Hundreds of UC researchers, faculty and staff converged on Sacramento this month to rally for a major California investment in research – SB 895, bipartisan legislation that would place a $12 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot. “The faculty and staff at UC come to work every day to help make Californians’ lives better, whether or not they’ve ever set foot on one of our campuses, or medical centers,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “We cannot give up on that mission and all the benefits it has brought. SB 895 is the way Californians can ensure that it continues.”

#IamUCI

Graduate student wants to help patients

Orfanel Amaya just walked across the stage on May 15, but he is already on the front lines of patient care. A first-generation Latino graduate student and the proud son of immigrants, Amaya has earned a Doctor of Pharmacy from the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, stepping into a profession he chose with intention and personal insight.

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