UCI School of Medicine 2024 Research Awards

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The School of Medicine Office of Research annually recognizes excellence in research and outstanding academic achievement in six categories. Selection criteria include: academic accomplishment, original contribution to the literature, significance of innovation to the field and relevance to the aims and priorities of the UCI School of Medicine. Each awardee receives a monetary award and an individual recognition plaque. Winners’ names are also added to an enduring plaque on display in Irvine Hall. An awards ceremony is planned for June 13, 2024.

CONGRATULATIONS 2024 AWARDEES

Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award Winners

Basic Science: Shawn (Liangzhong) Xiang, PhD, Department of Radiological Sciences

Clinical Research: Mihaela Balu, PhD, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic

About the Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award

The Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award recognizes mid-career scientists who have made novel and significant scientific contributions.  This includes associate and full professors in the Health Sciences Clinical, Clinical X, In-Residence, In-Line and Adjunct series. Two awardees are selected, including one focused on basic research and one focused on clinical research.  Each recipient receives $1,000.

Read more on the UCI School of Medicine website.

First-Ever Joint Faculty Retreat Held with Samueli School of Engineering and School of Medicine

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On March 11, UCI hosted a groundbreaking Joint Faculty Research Retreat, collaborating for the first time between the Samueli School of Engineering and the School of Medicine. Themed “Advancing the Frontiers,” the event aimed to foster thrilling partnerships and inspire future collaborations in medicine and engineering.

The day’s program kicked off with insightful talks from Engineering Dean Magnus Egerstedt and School of Medicine Dean Michael J. Stamos, setting an ambitious tone for the retreat by highlighting current achievements and future aspirations for their respective schools. A highlight was the keynote address by Bruce Tromberg, director of the NIH’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, emphasizing the power of collaborative innovation in tackling healthcare challenges.

Attendees engaged in a variety of activities, from an icebreaking exercise to exploring resource tables packed with information from across campus to attending in-depth scientific presentations on topics like neurorehabilitation, brain-computer interfaces, and rapid antibody evolution. These sessions underscored the transformative potential of merging engineering and medicine.

Breakout sessions delved into critical themes such as funding opportunities across schools, accelerating research from the laboratory to the marketplace, and educational strategies in a changing environment. A reflective town hall with Deans Stamos and Egerstedt, along with faculty members from both schools, wrapped up the discussions, reiterating the retreat’s success in laying the groundwork for future interdisciplinary innovations.

Read more on the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering website.

PROFESSOR HOWARD LEE RECEIVES PARTNERSHIP FOR INNOVATION AWARD FROM NSF

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Lucas Van Wyk Joel | UCI Physical Sciences Communications

The award will help Lee and his lab develop optical fiber technology for advanced imaging.

Professor Howard Lee of the UC Irvine Department of Physics & Astronomy recently received a Partnerships for Innovation award from the National Science Foundation. The award will give Lee and his lab $550,000 over two years to develop fiber-optical technology for advanced imaging applications. 

“Optical endoscopes are critical for surgical and other medical applications where the optical probe allows for real-time, non-invasive detection of the interior of an organ inside the human body with high resolution and biochemical information,” said Lee, who’s a member of UCI’s Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic as well as the Eddleman Quantum Institute. “However, existing optical fiber endoscopes are bulky and have limited imaging capability.”

With the new funding, Lee’s lab will work to develop a new kind of optical fiber based on nanotechnology that will enable compact imaging devices that are a few hundred micrometers in diameter – similar in size to a human hair – which will allow for expanded applications in medical settings.

The NSF award goes to proposals that show a high promise of developing technologies that will make their way to market. “Our team will also undergo an NSF National I-Corps Teams training – a seven-week entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of an invention into market impact,” said Lee.

Lee added: “I’d like to thank Dean James Bullock and Professor Reginald Penner of the School of Physical Sciences for promoting entrepreneurship and commercialization for scientists, and for organizing different industry-related events. Through industry events like Shark Tank, I got to know different Industry Advisory Committee members and investors, such as Michael Colaco and Shiv Grewal from Auctus Global Capital who are now serving as industry mentors for our project.”

Read more on the UCI School of Physical Sciences website.

Choi Named an AIMBE Fellow

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 By Lori Brandt, UCI Samueli School of Engineering

March 26, 2024 – The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has inducted Bernard Choi into its 2024 Class of the College of Fellows. Choi, a professor of biomedical engineering, was recognized for his “outstanding contributions to developing optical techniques to image microvascular structure and function and for serving the biophotonics and biomedical engineering community.”

Choi’s research interests include the development and application of in vivo optical imaging methods and technologies for monitoring of biological tissues in normal and diseased states, and for novel therapy discovery. He also leads research efforts on the use of chemical agents to reduce the optical scattering of biological tissue.

Choi was among 163 fellows who were inducted at the AIMBE Annual Event in Arlington, Virginia, on March 25, 2024. AIMBE fellows are selected for their outstanding contributions in their field. A prestigious professional distinction, the College of Fellows represents the top 2% of medical and biological engineers in the country.

“It is an absolute honor to be inducted into AIMBE,” said Choi. “I am very grateful to my colleagues in biomedical engineering and at the Beckman Laser Institute, and especially to the outstanding members of my laboratory over the past two decades, with whom it has been a tremendous pleasure to work. I also am eternally thankful to my family for their support.”

AIMBE’s mission is to recognize excellence, advance public understanding, and accelerate medical and biological innovation. Its College of Fellows includes over 1,500 honorees who work in academia, industry, clinical practice and government.

Click here to read full article on the UCI Samueli School of Engineering website.

Bernard Choi Inducted into the 2024 Class of the AIMBE College of Fellows

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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the induction of Bernard Choi, Ph.D., Professor at University of California, Irvine to its College of Fellows.Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to medical and biological engineers, comprised of the top two percent of engineers in these fields. College membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering and medicine research, practice, or education” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to bioengineering education.”

Dr. Choi was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows “for outstanding contributions to developing optical techniques to image microvascular structure and function and serving the biophotonics and BME community.”

A formal induction ceremony was held during the AIMBE Annual Event at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia on March 25, 2024. Dr. Choi was inducted along with 162 colleagues who make up the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2024.

While most AIMBE Fellows hail from the United States, the College of Fellows has inducted Fellows representing more than 30 countries. AIMBE Fellows are employed in academia, industry, clinical practice, and government.

AIMBE Fellows are among the most distinguished medical and biological engineers including 3 Nobel Prize laureates and 22 Presidential Medal of Science and/or Technology and Innovation awardees. Additionally, 214 Fellows have been inducted to the National Academy of Engineering, 117 inducted to the National Academy of Medicine, and 48 inducted to the National Academy of Sciences.

About AIMBE
AIMBE is the authoritative voice and advocate for the value of medical and biological engineering to society. AIMBE’s mission is to recognize excellence, advance public understanding, and accelerate medical and biological innovation. No other organization brings together academic, industry, government, and scientific societies to form a highly influential community advancing medical and biological engineering. AIMBE’s mission drives advocacy initiatives into action on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Click here to read the full AIMBE press release.

Potma Releases Foundations of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy

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Concise yet comprehensive resource presenting the foundations of nonlinear optical microscopy

Foundations of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy brings together all relevant principles of nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy, presenting NLO microscopy within a consistent framework to allow for the origin of the signals and the interrelation between different NLO techniques to be understood. The text provides rigorous yet practical derivations, which amount to expressions that can be directly related to measured values of resolution, sensitivity, and imaging contrast.

The book also addresses typical questions students ask, and answers them with clear explanations and examples. Readers of this book will develop a solid physical understanding of NLO microscopy, appreciate the advantages and limitations of each technique, and recognize the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Foundations of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy covers sample topics such as:

  • Light propagation, focusing of light, pulses of light, classical description of light-matter interactions, and quantum mechanical description of light-matter interactions
  • Molecular transitions, selection rules, signal radiation, and detection of light
  • Multi-photon fluorescence and pump-probe microscopy
  • Harmonic generation, sum-frequency generation, and coherent Raman scattering

Senior undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, along with students of electrical engineering and instructors in both of these fields, can use the information within Foundations of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy and the included learning resources to gain a concise yet comprehensive overview of the subject.

About the Author

Eric Olaf Potma is Professor at the University of California, Irvine, in the Department of Chemistry. His research interests are quantitative imaging with nonlinear optical microscopy, nonlinear optics of individual molecules and nanostructures, and nonlinear optical scan probe microscopy.

Product Details

ISBN: 9781119814887 | ISBN-10: 111981488X
Publisher: Wiley | Publication Date: March 19th, 2024
Pages: 448 | Language: English

Click here to visit the UCI Potma Labs website.

Click here to purchase book at wiley.com.

Click here to purchase book at amazon.com.

Robert Brown, Ph.D., Elected as a 2024 Fellow of Industry Academy within the AIIA

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Dr. Robert Brown, adjunct professor of Surgery, was elected as a 2024 Fellow of Industry Academy within the International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (AIIA).  He joins a network of over 3,000 AIIA fellows who possess extensive expertise and a wealth of research achievements.

“It is always a considerable honor to be elected into any established and highly respected academic organization – and the honor does not diminish with number of times it happens,” stated Dr. Brown.

Dr. Brown is an elected member of the European Academy of the Sciences and Arts (Academia Europaea), and a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the UK Institute of Physics, the UK Institute of Electronic Engineers and the International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance.

“This is just ‘feeling,’ and I can’t quantify any of it,” stated Dr. Brown.  “They’re all special academic organizations, and I’m proud to have been elected into them all as a Fellow during the past 40 years.”

 About AIIA Fellows

 AIIA Fellows form a network of strong partnerships across the world to promote the development and innovative applications of artificial intelligence (AI).  Members offer cutting-edge technological insights and drive advancements in innovative research.

 About AIIA

 The AIIA was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2023 by individuals in industry, academia and research who are actively engaged in the field of artificial intelligence.  The mission of the AIIA is to promote the rapid development of the AI industry around the world, the innovation and application of AI technology in various industries, for the deep integration of AI in the economy and society, as well as advance the progress and development of human society.

Click here to learn more at aiia-ai.org.

Zhongping Chen, Ph.D. Selected as the 2024 Recipient of Optica’s Michael S. Feld Biophotonics Award

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Dr. Zhongping Chen, professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, was selected as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Michael S. Feld Biophotonics award from Optica.  He was recognized by the organization “for pioneering research, development, and clinical translation of Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, OCT elastography, and multimodality intravascular imaging.”

“It is an honor for Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, for UCi and for everyone who collaborates with Dr. Chen,” stated collaborator Dr. Yona Tadir, adjunct professor and former Institute medial director.  “Last but not least, the modesty and friendly environment that he casts serves as an exemplary example to all others.”

About Michael S. Feld Biophotonics Award

Recognizes individuals for their innovative and influential contributions to the field of biophotonics, regardless of their career stage.  The scope of the award encompasses all areas of biophotonics, ranging from fundamental optics discoveries in biology to the development of new theoretical frameworks and novel instrumentation to clinical translational research for biomedicine.

The award was established in 2012 to honor Michael Feld for his fundamental contributions to applications of photonics technologies to solving biomedical problems. It is endowed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Coherent Inc., David Feld along with Ramachandra Dasari, Adam Wax, Kyungwon An, Robert Gold, Charles Holbrow, Firooz Partovi, Manoharan Ramasamy, Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Guillermo Tearney.

About Optica

Optica, the society advancing optics and photonic worldwide, is a leader of excellence, delivering high-quality scientific and technical information that is authoritative, accessible and archived.  Since 1916, the society has been the world’s leading champion for optics and photonics, uniting and educating scientists, engineers, educators, technicians and business leaders worldwide. Optica currently services 572,000 customers, 24,000 individual members, and 500+ corporate members from more than 184 countries.

Click here to learn more at Optica.org.

Chen Honored with 2024 Michael S. Feld Biophotonics Award

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By Lori, Brandt, UCI Samueli School of Engineering

March 7, 2024 – Zhongping Chen is being recognized for his pioneering research in biophotonics with the 2024 Michael S. Feld Biophotonics Award from Optica. Chen, a professor in biomedical engineering, will receive the medal at the Frontiers in Optics/Laser Science annual conference in September in Denver, Colorado.

Chen’s research integrates fundamental discoveries, technological development, biomedical studies and clinical applications. He has made groundbreaking contributions to the development of Doppler optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The phase-resolved D-OCT and Doppler variance imaging developed by Chen’s group have been widely used as powerful research tools for imaging and quantifying vascular changes in neuroscience and cancer research.

The D-OCT and OCTA  have been translated to clinical applications in ophthalmology and have had significant impacts on the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. His group is also credited with the development of a multimodal intravascular imaging platform that integrates OCT with ultrasound. Chen has applied numerous optical imaging technologies for clinical uses including imaging and diagnosis of laryngeal cancer and neonatal subglottic stenosis, airway injury and lung cancer, oral cancers, obstructive sleep apnea, ocular diseases, cardiovascular diseases and brain aneurysms.

Chen has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and review articles and holds over 25 patents in the fields of biomaterials, biosensors and biomedical imaging. He is a fellow of Optica, the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and SPIE.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award from Optica,” said Chen “I would like to thank my former and current students, postdoctoral fellows and collaborators whose dedication and hard work made this achievement possible.”

Established in 2012, the Feld Biophotonics Award recognizes innovative and influential contributions to the field of biophotonics, regardless of career stage. It honors Michael Feld for his fundamental contributions to applications of photonics technologies to solving biomedical problems, and is endowed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Coherent Inc., David Feld, Ramachandra Dasari, Adam Wax, Kyungwon An, Robert Gold, Charles Holbrow, Firooz Partovi, Manoharan Ramasamy, Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Guillermo Tearney.

Click here to read full article on the UCI Samueli School of Engineering website.

Beckman Foundation Reveals Updated Logo and Refreshed Visual Identity in Lead Up to Organization’s Semicentennial Anniversary

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NEWS PROVIDED BY
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Mar 07, 2024, 11:30 ET

IRVINE, Calif., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, a 501c3 organization which has provided more than $700 million in grants to researchers in chemistry and life sciences since 1977, is debuting a new look for its brand that includes an updated logo and refreshed visual identity designed in collaboration with Nien Studios and Torchbox. The modernization represents the first major change to the organization’s branding in decades, with a rollout planned over three quarters to start in March 2024, ahead of the lead up to the Foundation’s highly anticipated 50th anniversary.

“The approaching milestone provided us with the impetus for reviewing our brand,” explained Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. “What we had was an established, reputed, and recognizable image that still needed to evolve a bit to remain modern and relevant. It was important to us that our new look maintain the original ethos and purpose, so our strategy was to introduce an up-to-date color palette, clean up the typography and adapt the iconography while preserving its initial priorities.”

  •     Distinctive icon that blends a hexagon for chemistry with a DNA strand for life sciences
  •     Modern sans-serif typeface
  •     Vibrant color palette that emphasizes deep blue and teal green with accents of yellow and coral
  •     Versatile stack options for diverse uses

The color palette was developed in coordination with Torchbox during an update of the organization’s website. The logo was designed through collaboration with Robert Nienhuis of Nien Studios as part of a series of updates planned for 2024 that will include program and commemorative designs. Elements from both projects inspired the refreshed identity currently being implemented across Beckman Foundation’s social media platforms, including Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube, as well as its monthly e-newsletter, Latest News blog, podcast, and Symposium graphics.

About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.

About Nien Studios
Nien Studios is based in Orange County, California and provides branding and digital solutions for businesses. The company specializes in app design, branding, identity development, illustration, photography, print design, and website design. Its portfolio includes work for companies such as Pixel Jar, Honey Pot Meadery, Act Medical, Mass Amplify, Novo, James David Custom Homes, Culture Buzz, Anderson Law Group, and more.

About Torchbox
Torchbox is a digital agency based out of the United Kingdom and Philippines that offers services for UX design, website development, custom web apps, PPC & SEO, Google Analytics, Wagtail development and social media marketing. The agency plans, builds, and implements digital marketing strategies “that deliver world-class, KPI-smashing results for nonprofits internationally.” Its portfolio includes work for companies such as NHS, Greenpeace, Samaritans, ShelterBox, MS Society, Action for Children, and more.

Click here to read full press release.