March 4 - Furry Friday, does an mRNA vaccine alter my genes or DNA?
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IT’S FURRY FRIDAY: Hope – a 5-year-old pug who loves chasing squirrels, chewing on bully sticks and being a pet – helps students coping with finals and other stressors on Thursday on the UCI Student Center Terrace. Hope’s furry friends pop up throughout today’s UCI Digest. Photos by Steve Zylius / UCI
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Does an mRNA vaccine alter my genes or DNA?
Philip Felgner, director of the UCI Vaccine Research & Development Center, answers that question in today’s UCI COVID Minute video.
UCI Health COVID-19 Recovery Service program treats issues of 'long COVID'
UCI Health’s COVID-19 recovery program addresses prolonged symptoms. With each new variant and surge in positive cases, more patients are seeking treatment for ongoing health issues, including fatigue, cognitive problems, chest pain and shortness of breath. Consultations are offered at UCI Health medical offices in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Tustin. To schedule an appointment, call 949-386-5101.
Correction: Anteater Time Machine caption
The caption in Thursday’s archive photo of the 1985 dedication of the pedestrian bridge between UCI and University Town Center incorrectly identified the man at the lectern. It was Thomas Nielsen, then-president of the Irvine Co. Thanks to Stephanie Tenney for spotting the error.
The Student Support and Advocacy Commission presented Thera “Puppy” 102 on the Student Center Terrace mid-day Thursday. Photo by Steve Zylius / UCI
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Friday fun fact
Research activity: Seven of 10 UC undergraduates completed research as part of their coursework.
UC a top producer of Fulbright students
UCI Digest reported on Tuesday that our university was a top producing institution of students in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2021-22. That not only placed UCI among the top 1% of all universities in the country, but among eight UC campuses to receive Fulbright awards in the U.S. State Department program to advance studies and promote international exchange.
Scientists seek to solve mystery of why some people do not catch COVID
In the world’s first COVID-19 challenge in March 2021, 34 people who had been exposed several times but never caught it had live virus dripped into their noses and their nostrils shut for several hours in an attempt to infect them. The 16 participants who did not develop an infection are being studied in hopes of developing drugs that stop people from catching COVID or passing it on.
EVENTS
How to Become a Student Regent
Monday, 7 p.m. (sponsored by UC Board of Regents)
Cup of SOAR
Tuesday, 10 a.m. (sponsored by Student Outreach and Retention)
Fair Trade Tuesday
Tuesday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by Sustainability Resource Center)
Certain Women Directors: U.S. Independent Cinema as World Cinema
Tuesday, 4 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Illuminations: The Chancellor’s Arts & Culture Initiative)
Spreading Love and Gratitude
Tuesday, 4 p.m. (sponsored by Student Success Initiatives)
Confronting Extremism: A Conversation with Deborah Lipstadt and Douglas M. Haynes
Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Libraries)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
22 Irvine innovators to watch in 2022
Irvine Standard, March 2
Cited: Dr. Steve A.N. Goldstein, vice chancellor of health affairs
Stock Markets Usually Go Up. Sometimes, They Go Away.
The Wall Street Journal, March 4
Cited: Philippe Jorion, professor of finance
Why UCI Researchers Created a Framework for Analyzing Wearables Data
Health IT Analytics, March 2
Cited: Alexandre Chan, professor of clinical pharmacy and founding chair, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice
#UCICONNECTED
We couldn’t resist; just one more photo of Thera “Puppy” 102 by Steve Zylius.
Share your memories and shoutouts to mark pandemic’s second anniversary
March 11 will mark two years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. As the anniversary approaches, we’d like to hear your most memorable stories, lessons and anecdotes. This is also your chance to give a shoutout to a colleague or an organization that helped you or just show them some extra love. Please send text and/or photos you’d like us to consider publishing to ucidigest@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.