A novel technique based on isotope analysis shows that, compared to ecosystem type, evolutionary history explains more variation in bacterial growth traits along an elevation gradient. This knowledge could help move microbial ecologists toward improved predictive models of soil processes.

Meet The ‘Star Ingredient’ Changing Fortunes in Alaska’s Waters: Seaweed
Jun 11, 2019
Growing awareness of the climate crisis and a shift to plant-based diets have turned kelp farming into a thriving industry.

Distinguished Alumni Award
Jun 1, 2019
49th Annual Lauds & Laurels May 23rd, 2019 | Paséa Hotel, Huntington Beach Lauds & Laurels is the university’s oldest awards ceremony, a tradition that has recognized more than 800 members of the UCI community for their service to the university, the community...

Player Position Determines Head Injury Risk in Water Polo
May 20, 2019
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Chair James W. Hicks has been interested in the prevalence of head injury in water polo since watching his three sons play the sport. In a new study published with his colleagues from the UCI School of Medicine, Professor Hicks has...

Climate Change Could Spur Northward Aquatic Invasion
May 20, 2019
A variety of human activities is forcing many marine species to venture across the oceans in search of new homes. A recent study by Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate student Samuel Mahanes and Associate Professor Cascade Sorte sheds new light on how climate...

Scar Free Wound-healing? Mathematics Is Helping Make That a Reality
Apr 26, 2019
“The common way for our skin to repair itself has been with scar tissue,” said Maksim Plikus, an associate professor in developmental and cell biology at University of California Irvine. “Our work, which is driven by mathematical modelling, is helping to shift this paradigm.”

UCI Professor Shows How Plastics Have Become a Killing Machine For Coral Reefs
Apr 23, 2019
Coral reefs are not just beautiful color displays as seen underwater in Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii and the Caribbean. They also buffer the land from erosion and protect against the tidal waves from tsunamis, she said. Many villages in Southeast Asia rely on catching fish in coral reefs for their livelihood.

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Apr 19, 2019
Congratulations to Teaching Professors Andrea Nicholas, Nancy Aguilar-Roca, and Jessica Pratt, this year’s Excellence in Teaching award winners for the UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences.

Phone Call Dials Up Health Innovation, Friendship for Dunlop School Alums
Mar 25, 2019
When Idaho physician David Shelley, M.D., phoned California businessman Ed Chang, the call brought together two people with more in common than either expected. Besides sharing a passion for health care innovation, the pair discovered they both graduated from UCI with...

UCI ecologist co-authors UN Environment report on impact of plastics on coral reefs
Mar 18, 2019
The global fight against ocean plastic pollution will come into sharp focus at the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly this month in Nairobi, Kenya, with Joleah Lamb, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology at UCI, making a key contribution.