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A Message from Dean Frank LaFerla
Historic renaming of school has lasting impact on past and future graduates
Dear Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Community Friends,
The past five months as the dean of the newly minted Francisco J. Ayala School of Biological Sciences have been truly rewarding. We are working hard to change the look and the culture of the school and we have many exciting events ahead, including the upcoming graduation of the 2014 class and the celebration of UCI’s 50th anniversary.
Read the rest of Dean LaFerla's message on our website.
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President Obama to deliver UCI Commencement Address on June 14
Ayala School commencement follows June 16
President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address to UC Irvine's entire Class of 2014 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California on Saturday, June 14. This event marks the 50th anniversary of President Johnson’s dedication of campus land and also represents an exciting departure for the campus typical tradition, as this year’s degrees will be conferred to all graduates in one commencement ceremony. Additionally, the Ayala School of Biological Sciences will have its school commencement on Monday, June 16 at the Bren Events Center, where every biology graduate will be called up on stage.
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Annual Lauds and Laurels gala honors three from the Ayala School
On May 15, 2014, three outstanding individuals from the Ayala School of Biological Sciences were honored at the annual UCI Lauds and Laurels gala. Frank LaFerla, Hana and Francisco J. Ayala Dean of the Ayala School of Biological Sciences was honored for Outstanding University Service. Sandra Holden, Biological Sciences graduate student, was honored as Outstanding Graduate Student and Carl Ware, class of 1974, was named Distinguished Alumnus.
The UC Irvine Alumni Association (UCIAA) has presented Lauds and Laurels since 1971, honoring outstanding members of the UC Irvine community for their service to the university, the community or their profession.
Read more about the awardees here.
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Marcelo Wood wins Professor of the Year
Debra Mauzy-Melitz wins TA Development Award; Larry Marsh awarded Dean's Honoree
On April 24, 2014 at the 21st Annual Celebration of Teaching program, Marcelo Wood, 
Chair of the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior was named the 2014 Professor of the Year. Recipients were selected on a campus-wide, competitive basis by the Academic Senate Council on Student Experience using nominations from faculty and students.
Prior to his chair position, Marcelo previously served as director of the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program in the Ayala School of Biological Sciences.
Additionally, Debra Mauzy-Melitz in Developmental and Cell Biology was awarded the TA Development Award and Larry Marsh, also Developmental and Cell Biology, was awarded the Dean's Honoree for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.
Read more about the honorees and if you are interested in supporting Bio Sci research, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo.
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Congratulations to our five
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction recipients
Five graduating seniors in the Francisco J. Ayala School of Biological Sciences received the 2014 Chancellor’s Award of Distinction: Rame Basem Bashir, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, Rebecca My Linh Do, Biological Sciences major, Christina Bao Han Phan, Biological Sciences major, Bryan Jiaming Xie, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and Michael C. Yang, Biological Sciences major.
The Chancellor’s Award of Distinction acknowledges the University of California, Irvine’s most outstanding graduating seniors. Awarded by the UC Irvine Alumni Association, these students represent exceptional academic achievement, and a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership and service to UCI. Selected by a committee of alumni, recipients can be identified by the blue and gold shoulder cord worn with their commencement regalia.
Read more about our outstanding seniors here. If you're interested in supporting promising Bio Sci undergraduates, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo.
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Spring Break in the Desert
increases outreach for Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert regions
During the week of spring break, March 24-28, ten UC-Irvine undergraduate students participated in a weeklong service-learning program in the Anza-Borrego Desert and Salton Sea Region, led by UCI’s Center for Environmental Biology (CEB) and UCI Salton Sea Initiative (SSI). Students represented seven different campus majors, including earth system science, chemistry, engineering, social ecology, and public health and came together because of their shared interest in sustainability. This inaugural program partnered with California State Parks and the Borrego Springs School District for 2014 to present an environmental education program focused on the biology and ecology of the Salton Sea Basin.
Read more about this great program and Chancellor Drake's surprise visit here. If you are interested in supporting Bio Sci research, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo.
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Bio Sci Undergraduate receives $10k scholarship to educate elementary students on nutrition and activities
Christine Pham, a 3rd-year biological sciences major at UC Irvine, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation, to fund a public service project she will implement in her senior year.
Pham, a Fountain Valley resident, received the scholarship for her proposed project “My Healthy Start,†a monthly after school program that will educate students from the 36 elementary schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District, as well as their parents, on proper nutrition and physical activity.
Read more about Christine's project and award here. If you're interested in supporting promising Bio Sci undergrads, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo.
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Renowned neuroscientist James McGaugh featured at Dean's Distinguished Lecture
On May 16, 2014, renowned neuroscientist and memory expert James McGaugh, Ayala School of Biological Sciences founding faculty member and research professor, presented at the 2nd presentation of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Speaking to a packed crowd of over 300, McGaugh spoke about “Making Memories Last.â€
Check back in the Fall for the next date in the lecture series. The Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series was created in 2014 to promote interdepartmental knowledge and synergy within the Ayala School of Biological Sciences. Sponsored quarterly by the Hana and Francisco J. Ayala Dean, the lectures feature faculty who represent the wide range of expertise found throughout the School’s four departments.
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