Oct. 13, 2026

The UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge brings the community together in the fight against cancer. Scroll to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Carlos Puma)

UC IRVINE NEWS

When it comes to El Niño, it's best to be prepared

This month, UC Irvine is celebrating how impact reaches far beyond campus – into classrooms, neighborhoods and across communities. From reimagining how kids learn to mapping wildfire risk before disaster strikes, celebrating culture and building healthier communities. UC Irvine researchers are tracking a looming El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean. “The 2026 El Niño has now reached the ‘very strong’ or ‘super’ El Niño category,” said Jin-Yi Yu, professor of Earth system science. “The latest sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific Ocean have crossed the threshold associated with a very strong El Niño, and current forecasts indicate that the event will continue to strengthen through the fall.” Public health specialists offer advice on how to protect yourself and your family from extreme weather created by El Niño.

The energy never used

UC Irvine has been deliberate about the energy required to operate its buildings, setting efficiency goals for new construction and investing in systems that reduce consumption. Today, the university consumes roughly the same amount of energy it did in 1994. A “business as usual” model maintained by the university estimates how much energy UC Irvine would have consumed without the efficiency measures introduced over the intervening decades. By 2023, actual consumption would have been double what it is now without UC Irvine’s aggressive energy programs. For Joseph Fleshman, director of energy and engineering, that gap represents decades of intentional behind-the-scenes work. “That gap is really the story,” said Fleshman. “It represents energy we didn’t have to buy, and infrastructure we didn’t have to add, while still providing the environments people need to teach, learn and conduct research. No single project got us here. It is the accumulation of decisions made over more than 30 years.”

Confronting the symptoms of menopause

Women going through menopause and perimenopause need but often don't get effective care, said UCI Health gynecologist Dr. Rebecca Sauer (above). This fall, UCI Health will launch a comprehensive menopause program that will address the full range of symptoms and promote women’s longevity and quality of life. "We want to create a space for women to feel comfortable speaking about their symptoms and to know that they will receive evidence-based treatment options," said Sauer, who will co-direct the program with UCI Health gynecologist Dr. Donna Baick.

UC NEWS

UC-sponsored legislation signed by Gov. Newsom

As the University of California faces one of the most severe threats to its research enterprise in its history, UC-sponsored legislation to provide $7.5 billion for scientific research across California has been signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. SB 895 will place a measure on the March 2028 state ballot to invest in cutting-edge research addressing some of California’s most pressing health, environmental and technological challenges. “This is a major achievement, made possible by an extraordinary coalition of people who understand the importance of investing in scientific research,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “The University of California’s research enterprise improves lives, creates opportunity, and drives innovation and economic growth across our state and the entire nation. We are grateful to Gov. Newsom, Sen. Wiener, members of the legislature and our partners at UAW for their leadership and collaboration on this issue. I also want to thank the thousands of UC faculty, staff, students, researchers, alumni and supporters who made their voices heard and helped us achieve this important milestone.”

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Student research spotlight

In this video, meet Ciara Gillis, a Ph.D. student in Jenny Yang's lab in the Department of Chemistry, who researches ways to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

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UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge

(photos by Carlos Puma)

#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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