Fall 2024
“Defining the Mechanistic Basis of Neurodegenerative Proteinopathy: A 35 Year Genetic Odyssey”
with Distinguished Professor Albert La Spada, M.D., Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor La Spada is a renowned researcher whose work focuses on understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS.
Spring 2024
“Precious Birds and Flying Flowers: The Sensory World of Butterflies” with Adriana Briscoe, PhD
The mysterious beauty of butterflies has dazzled us from ancient times to modern. What makes them beautiful is partly in the eye of the beholder. Join Professor Briscoe on a scientific tour of the role that visual senses play in ecosystems and the surprising sensory world inhabited by these enchanting insects.
Winter 2024
“Designing Drugs for Human Disease Using Structural Biology” with Thomas Poulos, PhD
This lecture discussed how structural biology provides the required information for designing specific therapeutic agents and will present a few specific examples of potential drugs designed here at UCI targeting neurodegenerative diseases and melanoma. In addition, included was an example of a UCI industrial collaboration that led to important insights into how certain HIV antiviral drugs work.
Fall 2023
“Redirecting Cellular Traffic to Treat Cancer and Obesity” with Aimee Edinger, VMD/PhD
This lecture described how natural compounds found in yeast and humans might be leveraged to set up roadblocks that kill drug-resistant tumor cells, tame the obesity epidemic, and help deliver next-generation DNA and RNA medicines.
Fall 2022
Looking to a Future Without Alzheimer’s: A Discussion on Research, Challenges and Trends
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture panel discussion on Alzheimer’s disease from Nov. 15, 2022. It has been known that the disease is becoming a major health crisis that is projected to become even larger in the coming decades. To prepare for the severity of the crisis, we must focus on how to mitigate such shortcomings. The lecture was opened by none other than Dean Frank LaFerla, PhD with an overview of the state of Alzheimer’s research, followed by Joshua Grill, PhD; David Sultzer, MD; and Deborah Levy, on the emerging trends in research, care and the upcoming challenges we face.
Winter 2021
COVID 19 – Moving Beyond the Pandemic: Strains, Testing and Vaccines
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture panel discussion on Alzheimer’s disease from Nov. 15, 2022. It has been known that the disease is becoming a major health crisis that is projected to become even larger in the coming decades. To prepare for the severity of the crisis, we must focus on how to mitigate such shortcomings.
Fall 2020
COVID-19 and the Impact on the Central Nervous System
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture panel discussion on research, new strains, testing, neurological challenges and vaccines featuring: Michael J. Buchmeier, PhD, John Gerace, Thomas E. Lane, PhD, Ilhem Messaoudi, PhD, and Andrew Noymer, PhD. Moderated by Dunlop School Dean Frank M. LaFerla, PhD.
Winter 2020
Why Does Our Memory Decline With Age (and can we do anything about it)?
Craig Stark, PhD, is a professor of neurobiology and behavior at Dunlop School. Dr. Stark’s research investigates the neural bases of human long-term memory.
Winter 2020
Discovering Genes that Control Development and Cause Disease: A Fish Tale
Professor Thomas Schilling, Chair and Professor in the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, tells us about the zebrafish, a small freshwater fish, which has emerged as a powerful new gene discovery and disease model system.
Spring 2019
Catching Your Breath: How Climate Change can Alter the Microbiome You Inhale
Valley fever has recently become a “silent epidemic” in Central California, Arizona, and other areas with hot and dry climates. Could climate change help valley fever fungi move to new places like Southern California? Professor Kathleen Treseder (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) is studying the link between valley fever fungi and climate.
Winter 2019
Body-on-a-Chip: The New Frontier in Drug Discovery
Christopher Hughes, Chair and Professor of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, describes the development of his body-on-a-chip technology which creates three-dimensional ‘mini-organs’ that could help develop better drugs on an individual basis.
Fall 2018
Beyond Your Genes: Biology of Addiction
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series – Dr. Marcelo Wood.
Spring 2018
Microbiomes: Invisible Arbiters of Human and Environmental Health
Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series – Dr. Jennifer Martiny
Additional Speakers To view all previous Lecture presentations, visit UCI Media
Charles L.M. Dunlop
Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD
Peter J. Donovan, PhD
Ian Parker, PhD, FRS
Claudia Kawas, MD
James W. Hicks, PhD
Charles G. Glabe, PhD
Arthur D. Lander, MD, PhD
Leslie M. Thompson, PhD
John C. Avise, PhD
John O’Keefe, PhD
Susan V. Bryant, PhD
Anthony A. James, PhD
James L. McGaugh, PhD