March 14 - At-home COVID tests; returning from spring break
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The covered courtyard of the Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
At-home COVID-19 test kits available for pickup this week
Starting today, all UCI students and employees can pick up two antigen test kits. Distribution times are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday, March 18. The pickup location is the kiosk off West Peltason Drive between Campus and Pereira drives, adjacent to the Mesa Court housing parking lot. Follow the directional signage. Kits are also available at the Student Center and Plaza Verde testing sites and student residents’ respective housing offices. See the campus message for further instructions about picking up and using at-home tests.
Student testing protocols for returning from spring break
With spring break fast approaching (March 21-25), students who will be leaving campus must know about testing protocols upon their return. Regardless of vaccination status, those returning to campus must take an antigen or PCR test 48 hours before coming back. See further instructions for students who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and booster, those who are not up to date and anyone with questions.
UCI scientists make leap forward for genetic sequencing
In a paper published in Sciences Advances, researchers in chemistry and physics & astronomy revealed new details about a key enzyme that makes DNA sequencing possible. The finding is a leap forward into the era of personalized medicine, where doctors will be able to design treatments based on the genomes of individual patients.
New education dean seeks to serve all stakeholders
Effective leaders look at the big picture. School of Education Dean Frances Contreras’ big picture features a really large table in the center, sizable enough to seat everyone she wants to invite to it.
Medical residency Match Day will be in person for first time in two years
On Friday, March 18, more than 30,000 graduating medical students across the country — including 96 from UCI — will find out which residency program they’ve been “matched” with. This year’s in-person Match Day event will be especially exciting and emotional because, for the first time in two years, friends and family will be able to join future physicians celebrating the “big reveal.”
“I’ve always been interested in large-scale events,” says E. Alison Holman, professor of nursing. Photo by Steve Zylius / UCI
Understanding the health effects of collective trauma
For 30 years, E. Alison Holman, professor of nursing, has focused her research on collective trauma stemming from such climate-related disasters as wildfires and hurricanes, global events like the pandemic and wars, and other human-caused tragedies such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings and bombings. “As healthcare professionals,” she says, “we need to understand how people’s mental health responses impact their physical health in the moment and long-term.”
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Deltamicron or deltacron?
In recent days, scientists have reported that a hybrid of the omicron and delta coronavirus variants has been popping up in several countries in Europe. Here’s what is known about the hybrid, which has picked up the Frankensteinian nicknames of deltamicron or deltacron.
EVENTS
SOARing Through Finals
Wednesday, 9 a.m. (sponsored by Student Outreach and Retention)
De-Stress Fest (with Therapy Dogs and Free Snacks!)
Wednesday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion)
College Coach Program: The High School Plan
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by UCI HR)
Lunch with Leadership: Ian O. Williamson
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by Staff Assembly)
Reimagining the Latinx Experience in America | Professor Márquez, “The Politics of Patronage: Lawyers, Philanthropy, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund”
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by School of Law)
What Matters to Me and Why featuring Andrew Penner, professor of sociology and undergraduate director, School of Social Sciences
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion)
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.
French designer giants suspend sales in Russia
BBC, March 4
Cited: Etel Solingen, Distinguished Professor of political science
Mask Mandate for Flights Extended, California Braces For Long COVID Impacts, And More
KPCC (audio), March 10
Guest: Dr. Shruti Gohil, assistant professor of infectious diseases
6 Reasons You'll Want to Consider Swapping Out Coffee for Black Tea
The/Thirty, March 12
Cited: Geoffrey W. Abbott, professor of physiology and biophysics
#UCICONNECTED
Happy #PiDay! And good luck on finals for all who have them this week. We’ll take 3.14 slices, please. #PiDay2022. From Twitter/@UCIrvine
#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.