Announcements
Volunteers Needed for Celebrate UCI!
CAMP is participating in Celebrate UCI on Saturday, April 20, 2024! We are looking for volunteers to assist with the event. The event will begin at 9:00AM and end at 2:00PM. We would be grateful for any time that you are able to volunteer that day. This event may be of particular interest to Edison Scholars who need to fulfill their service hours requirement for the scholarship. Please click the following link to sign-up on or before March 15, 2024.
2024 Celebrate UCI Volunteer Sign-up Sheet
CAMP Updates
2024 CAMP Statewide Symposium
We would like to recognize the CAMP Scholars that presented their research at the CAMP Statewide Symposium on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Congratulations to Claire Ali-Khan, Andres Gutierrez, and Nayeli Inzunza for receiving Honorable Mentions! We would also like to send a shout out to Dr. Amari Lewis for paneling a conversation at the Symposium about her research experience as an LSAMP BD Scholar at UCI.
Here is what CAMP Scholars said about the Symposium:
“Participating in the CAMP Statewide Symposium was a stimulating and enriching experience. Engaging with a community of like-minded scholars inspired me and fueled my motivation to persist in my educational journey and pursue a graduate degree.”- Claire Ali-Khan, Biological Sciences
“The CAMP Statewide Symposium was an amazing opportunity. It created a welcoming environment for me to meet my peers and present my research. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and the experience I’ve gained from it that I will use to develop my skills in the future.”- Andres Gutierrez, Physics
“The statewide symposium allowed me to grow in my research journey, by presenting my research to a panel of experts but also to those who are unfamiliar with the topic. It also allowed me to speak with other student researchers and professors from other UCs which gave me an insight into what other schools are doing. Overall, the symposium gave me the chance to grow as a researcher and allowed me to become more comfortable with talking to other researchers.”- Ashley Mojica, Biomedical Engineering
“The CAMP Symposium was a great opportunity to become well-read in my research area and to practice presenting to a diverse audience. I have an upcoming poster judging for my honors thesis in April and the CAMP Symposium was an excellent warm-up. It also helped me realize some gaps in my knowledge to improve for my poster judging and other future symposiums.”- Melissa Sanchez, Human Biology
CAMP Book / Technology Loan Program
If you have checked out CAMP books and / or technology, the item must be returned to the CAMP Office no later than March 22, 2024.
Faculty Spotlight
Meet Dr. Farzin Zareian!
Dr. Zareian received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Sharif University of Technology in Iran before coming to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. He started his doctoral program at USC but transferred after a year to Stanford where he received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He enjoys spending time with his family and soccer. Dr. Zareian is a fan of CAMP and has had many CAMP Scholars. A believer of luck, one thing he shares with students taking his class is, “hard work will get you ahead in inches, but luck gets you ahead by miles.”
In what capacity do you work for UC Irvine?
I am a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering.
How did you become involved with the CAMP program?
I was in my office when a few students showed up. They said they wanted to do research and that they were part of the CAMP program. I asked, “what does CAMP do?” and learned that we have a huge resource. I walked with them to the CAMP office, which is still located in the same place. I worked with them in my lab and the first CAMP Student I had was Corina De Pablo. She did terrific work. Then other students came but the one I remember her work from beginning to the end was Angie Harris. Angie was another superstar, but what I want to say is that CAMP is instrumental in introducing these gems to our research group.
What is your educational philosophy?
This one is very simple. We are here to respond to human curiosity by providing an open environment because anyone can put a computer code together or do a lab experiment, but we want to make sure that they answer the question, “why are we doing this?” not from a research viewpoint but more from a character and life experiences point of view. We want to create a nurturing environment. It is more about the individual than the topic. The topic is just the tool. We are here to engage.
Why do you believe that undergraduate research is an important component of the student experience?
I think that going to class and learning a subject is very valuable, but you really need to put what you learned into practice. The other thing is people forget how this classical way of teaching a subject has evolved. Physics is just the model that humans have created to describe what happens in nature. Humans have done a lot of trial and error to arrive at these theories. For example, you go to class and learn something, but how would it be if you start implementing it. Or if we wanted to develop a new knowledge, how can we come to that? We need to do some research with trials and fails until you arrive at the answer or have proven your hypothesis. You then see that you have learned a lot by going through that process and you have to enjoy the process.
What advice would you give students that may be afraid to communicate with faculty?
There is definitely a barrier that humans have when they encounter an unknown. The only way to get around it is to do an icebreaker, engage, show up, ask a question, show that you are interested, and this would be enough for many folks. There might be people that may be a bit more difficult on the faculty side, but you need to find a different angle to engage. For example, you can go with a friend, or you work with a faculty’s friend and do good work so that they can then put in a good word for you. It comes down to you needing to get involved. There is saying, “if you don’t shoot, you will definitely miss.” So, engage, ask questions, and see if they have any research for you.
What do you do for fun?
I used to work out before I got married. Once my first kid came and my second, I just spend time with family. We go out for walks or get something to eat. Pretty simple until my kids got older and we now take them to soccer, basketball, and other extracurricular activities. Now, I do watch a lot of soccer. Premiere League, Italia League, and Iran’s Premiere League.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Two movies come to mind. Casablanca and War and Peace. Casablanca is good for building character. War and Peace teaches you about life. It has all the experiences that life may pose on people.
What is your favorite song and why?
Two songs come to mind. John Lennon’s Imagine, which is so simple. From the simplicity of the song and its message, it is beautiful. Then there is another song by Pink Floyd titled Time, and I think that has a very beautiful message as well.
What advice would you give students with respect to successfully navigating their STEM degree program?
I think that they need to engage with the faculty, the department, with student organization very early on. Organizations like CAMP have the experiences to help place you in those positions you would not be able to achieve on your own. Do not just study and pass your courses. Get involved, engage with faculty, engage with student organizations because they are going to get you ahead. Build your toolbox. Your toolbox needs skills and connections. One thing I tell students in every class is hard work will get you ahead in inches, but luck gets you ahead in miles.
Student Spotlight
Meet Mohammed Ezzaldiin!
Mohammed Ezzaldiin is a fourth-year software engineering major and is also an Edison Scholarship Recipient. He attended Irvine Valley College before transferring to UCI. This past summer, Mohammed interned as a software engineer with a startup company called Power Settlements Consulting & Software, LLC. He plans to immediately work in industry after graduation and enroll in an online master’s program. He practices jiu jitsu 2 -3 times a week and enjoys soccer. Mohammed is a person of faith, bringing positivity and a smile when he comes through CAMP
How long have you been involved with CAMP and what are some of the services you have utilized?
CAMP is a beautiful organization. I have been in CAMP for two years exploring their services. I have utilized appointments with Dr. Harris to get advice and the study room, which is a beautiful environment to be able to focus on your studies. I, also, get snacks to have energy to study.
Are you part of any clubs? If so, which ones? Why is it important for you to get involved?
I am involved with the MSU community, which is like a brotherhood, and have participated in their events. It is a beautiful organization. As a member I go to their events to meet people, socialize, and build connections. It is important to get involved because it is good to socialize and build connections. You do not know where an opportunity is going to come from. Connections are important because you can learn from others because everyone has unique skills, and you can learn from the people around you. Finally, I like going for the food.
What do you do for fun?
I like to volunteer in my community. I volunteer in my community on Fridays as a security because I am someone who likes to be grateful. Secondly, I like to do jiu jitsu during my free time and am currently a blue belt.
What is your favorite food?
Because I was born and raised in Ghana, I enjoy rice and some of the Ghanaian food like Fufu, but it is not easy to find fufu here so I eat mostly rice. A typical Ghanaian food is Fufu, which is kind of a smashed yam, Banku, and plantains.
Favorite movie? Why?
Most of the time I like going on YouTube to watch some of the UFC fighters and the jiu jitsu fights to learn from them. That is what I mostly watch as my movies. I enjoy watching soccer games like the African cup.
What advice would you give your fellow CAMP scholars about successfully navigating higher education?
First, I would say to be humble on campus as a CAMP Scholar. Secondly, when you are on campus, you should try and spend time at CAMP because CAMP is a special organization that you can learn from. It has a good environment that can help motivate you. You can go to CAMP for advice on your education journey and they will lead you the right way. I get motivation at CAMP by seeing Dr. Harris, and Leo, and I also get snacks to be energized. Try to spend most of your time at CAMP to utilize the services.
Mentor Way
Bailee Valenzuela
“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.” – Plutarch
Tony Martinez
“There is no failure, just a lesson learned.” – Brad Turnbull
Viviann Vargas
It doesn’t matter how long it takes to learn a subject or reach your goal. What matters the most is that you enjoy the educational journey and believe that you will get there with hard work and determination.
Graduate Fellowships/Assistantships/Scholarships
Research Opportunities
Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families (GRIT)
GRIT is a health coaching program designed for adversity-impacted youth ages 12-17. The purpose of this project is to study the feasibility of implementing GRIT. Studying the feasibility of this intervention in combination with collecting objective stress data using the Oura Ring will lay the foundation for the transformation of GRIT into a just-in-time adaptive intervention and the future development of a RCT funded by an NIH RO1.
To participate in the GRIT Study, complete an Interest Form at: https://redcap.link/Grit
Stanford Data Science Undergraduate Research Pathways (DSURP)
The Stanford Data Science Undergraduate Research Pathways program is an 8-week full-time research experience designed to provide students at institutions without access to research opportunities the chance to conduct a research project under the supervision of both a mentor and faculty member. This is an in-person experience held at Stanford from June 24 to August 16, 2024. Click here to learn more about the program and apply.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2024 by 11:59PM PST
UCSF Pre-Health Undergraduate Program
The UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Training Program offers a summer clinical research training program for up to 40 underrepresented minority undergraduate students who are planning to attend dental, medical, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation therapy, pharmacology or other professional schools after graduation, and who have an interest in a career in clinical research. To learn more and apply, click here.
Application Deadline: March 4, 2024
Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
The UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) offer upper division undergraduate students with outstanding academic potential the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The tentative dates for SPUR 2024 are June 16 to August 10 (8-week programs) and June 16 to August 23 (10-week programs). Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
REU Finder
REUFinder.com is a quick and easy way for students to find research opportunities. The site is divided into pages that list REU opportunities by year (freshmen, sophomore, junior and seniors as well as specific populations such as community college, international students, and undocumented students). REU Finder seeks to minimize extensive google searches to make it easy for students to identify programs that might be a good fit for.
NSF-Funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. The search page is meant to help scholars search for an REU site throughout the country.
Click here to learn more.
Pathways to Science Summer Research Tool
Deadlines are fast approaching for paid summer research programs! PathwaysToScience.org has a searchable database of 700+ summer research programs in all STEM disciplines. These are all FULLY FUNDED opportunities including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc. We also have a selection of resources to help you strengthen your applications. Please contact The Institute for Broadening Participation Senior Advisor, Liv Detrick, at ldetrick@ibparticipation.org for assistance in finding a program that is a good fit for you.
Click here to find research programs and learn more.
Scholarships
ACS Scholars Program
The ACS Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences, majoring in chemistry-related disciplines, and intending to pursue chemistry-related careers. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000 per academic year.
Click here for additional information and to apply.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Better Together STEM Scholarship
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Foundation is offering Better Together STEM Scholarships of $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000. These are for students pursuing science, technology or engineering studies at universities in California. Students must be California residents and PG&E customers at the time of application.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Deadline: March 15, 2024
SoCal Gas Scholarship Program
The SoCalGas Scholarship Program encourages students to pursue higher education and supports their academic endeavors. The objective is to create a diverse pool of future scientists, mathematicians, technology experts, and engineers that can help address the complex issues our communities face today and tomorrow. Up to fifteen (15) awards of $5,000 per year, totaling $20,000 over four years, will be granted. To learn more and apply, click here.
Application Deadline: March 19, 2024
Future Leaders Scholarship
PIMCO’s Future Leaders Scholarship (FLS) applications are now open. FLS is designed for students from underrepresented communities who have an interest in investment management and wish to pursue a career in finance by way of continued education. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: March 21, 2023
CBCF The Tracking Foundation Multi-Year Scholarship Program
The Tracking Foundation Scholarship Program awards academically talented and highly motivated African American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate degree in all discipline areas. This scholarship is renewed on a yearly basis up to 4 years, upon meeting the renewal requirements.
Click here for more information and to apply.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
2024 – 2025 ScholarSHPE
ScholarSHPE provides opportunities for Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in STEM at any stage of their undergraduate career. Students must be enrolled full-time at a community college or 4-year university. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: April 14, 2024
Internship Opportunities
Johnson & Johnson R & D Intern – Mechanical Engineering (Medical Device)
Johnson & Johnson Vision, a member of Johnson & Johnson’s Family of Companies, is recruiting Sophomores, Juniors and rising Seniors for internships in Research & Development (R&D) located in Irvine, CA. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced engineers and contribute to the development of groundbreaking medical devices. Click here to learn more and apply.
Johnson & Johnson R & D Intern – Insertion Systems
Johnson & Johnson Vision, a member of Johnson & Johnson’s Family of Companies, is recruiting Sophomores, Juniors and rising Seniors for internships in Research & Development (R&D) located in Irvine, CA. Intern will work on developing design input and actual concepts for a new insertion system. To learn more and apply, click here.
Stanford Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine (LCGM) Summer Internship Program
Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine (LCGM) is an innovative, state-of-the-art, multi-product manufacturing facility that develops cell and gene-based therapies for early phase clinical trials in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) FDA regulations. The LCGM Summer Program offers a 10-week exciting opportunity to learn from world class scientists who support translational medicine. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: March 25, 2024
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Summer Internship Program
The JPL Summer Internship Program offers 10-week, full-time, summer internship opportunities at JPL to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. As part of their internships, students are partnered with JPL scientists or engineers, who serve as the students’ mentors. Students complete designated projects outlined by their mentors, gaining educational experience in their fields of study while also contributing to NASA and JPL missions and science. To learn more and apply, click here.
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024 at 5:00PM PDT
Albertsons Pharmacy Summer Intern
Albertsons Companies Pharmacy Summer Internship Program is designed for highly motivated pharmacy students who are passionate about patient care, impacting patient lives and developing a rewarding career in community pharmacy! Albertsons Companies pharmacy summer interns work in a dynamic environment with preceptors committed to developing our profession’s future. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: April 26, 2024
Fellowship Opportunities
Science, Technology, and Policy Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is seeking motivated students, postgraduates, and faculty to participate in projects at the forefront of the clean energy transition, helping to address the climate crisis through a 12-month fellowship. FECM’s mission is to minimize the climate and environmental impacts of fossil energy and key industrial processes to help achieve net-zero emissions across the United States economy. Fellows will gain deep insight into the federal government’s role in the creation and implementation of energy technology policies; apply their scientific, policy, and technical knowledge to the development of solutions to issues of importance to the DOE and continue their education and involvement in areas that support the DOE mission either in a technical or policy-related role. To learn more and apply, click here.
Application Deadline: Submit before March 29, 2024 to be considered for the first round of selections
National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
This program is for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research. The program provides scholarship recipients up to $20,000 per academic year for tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses. Scholarships are awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to four years. For every year of scholarship support, scholars commit to two paid service obligations in the NIH Intramural Research Program. To learn more and apply, click here.
Application Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024 at 12 noon ET
Community Energy Fellowship Program
The Community Energy Fellowship Program (CEFP) sponsors candidates from diverse backgrounds to spend 18 months embedded in state, local, and tribal governments (Hosts) learning about and assisting in the implementation of clean energy projects and programs. Fellows will be matched with one or more local or tribal governments to apply their knowledge and experiences to the Host’s current activities. Fellows will gain experience around energy technology areas such as energy efficiency, electric vehicle technology or renewable energy deployment to local, state and tribal governments as well as gain valuable insight into the government’s role in the creation and implementation of policies and programs that affect clean energy technology developments. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: Recommendations must be received by Sunday, April 7, 2024, 11:59 pm EST
Pathways to Science Tool
Search paid summer research programs for graduate students, travel grants, and fellowships through the Graduate Students Pathways to Science Tool – many deadlines fast approaching! Also, search and view tips on applying for postdoc positions.
STEM Student Org. Corner
American Medical Women’s Association Undergraduate Division (AMWAUCI)
Biomedical Engineering Society
MAES Latinos in Science and Engineering
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Pre-Veterinary and Animal Wellness Association (PAWA)
Public Health Association (PHA)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS)
Did You Know…
Did you know that the UCI Department of Chemistry offers FREE peer tutoring via Zoom to students taking General Chemistry courses such as Chem 1A or Chem 1B. The department also has another set of peer tutors that can assist with Organic Chemistry (Chem 51B). It is important to utilize these resources as they are meant to help you be successful in the course! The Department of Physics also has free tutoring for Physics 2, 7 series, and 3 series. The tutors are the teaching assistants (TAs) for the courses. Additionally, the Department of Mathematics also has TAs and graduate students offering free virtual tutoring for Math 1A/1B and Math 2A/2B.
Upcoming Events
Hydrogen and the Circular Economy of Carbon
March 4, 2024
2:00PM
Calit2 Auditorium
Robert Schlögl, Ph.D.
President, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Sustainable energy systems require both free electrons and green molecules as sources and carriers of renewable energy. The molecular part is created by water splitting leading to the primary energy carrier hydrogen. This molecule can be used directly for energy recovery and for generating chemicals, fuels and structural materials. The presentation discusses systemic aspects, the generally underestimated dimension of application and issues of catalytic materials necessary for implementation.
MSE 298 Seminar: Shining A Light On Nanophotonic Heat Engines
March 7, 2024
2:00PM – 3:20PM
McDonnell Douglas Engineering Auditorium
Matthew T. Sheldon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry, UC Irvine
The ability to perform work using broad classes of energy conversion devices (e.g. batteries, solar cells, thermoelectric generators, fuel cells, etc.) depends on the energy provided by electrons as they transition from initial states to final states during a power cycle. This talk will highlight several recent advances understanding and manipulating mechanical interactions between radiation and nanoscale systems, for the goal of optimizing a variety of heat engines that are powered by sunlight.
Modeling Functional Brain Imaging Data with Mixed Membership Models
March 7, 2024
4:00PM – 5:00PM
Donald Bren Hall 6011
Donatello Telesca
Professor of Biostatistics, UCLA
Due to the highly observed levels of signal heterogeneity, functional regression analysis tends to only explain a small amount of the observed variance. A discussion about a novel analytical framework combining regression and mixed membership modeling, to obtain deeper insights into sources of data heterogeneity, and single out important functional features which change with covariate information.
EECS Seminar: Reinforcement Learning with Robustness and Safety Guarantees
March 8, 2024
9:00AM
McDonnell Douglas Engineering Auditorium (MDEA)
Dileep Kalathil, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Texas A&M University
First, the real-world system parameters can be very different from that of the nominal values used for training RL algorithms. Second, the control policy for any real-world system is required to maintain some necessary safety criteria to avoid undesirable outcomes. Most deep RL algorithms overlook these fundamental challenges which often results in learned policies that perform poorly in the real-world settings. This talk will present two approaches to overcome these challenges.
CBE Seminar: Advances in Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Insights from Our Research
March 8, 2024
11:00AM
ISEB 1200
Harihara Baskaran, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Case Western Reserve University
Despite decades of effort, the field of regenerative medicine has yet to fully address the ever-increasing need for engineered tissues. This seminar will describe their ongoing efforts in the development of engineered cartilage tissue.
James L. McGaugh Distinguished Seminar Series: A master regulator of opioid reward in ventral prefrontal cortex
March 8, 2024
11:00AM – 12:00PM
Live streamed via Zoom and In-Person
Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D.
Ward-Coleman Professor and Chair, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience
Intrinsic rewarding properties of opioids have contributed to an alarming surge in overdose-related fatalities in the United States due to their widespread misuse. Opioids can also evoke aversive reactions that protect against misuse. Cellular mechanisms that govern the interplay between opioid reward and aversion are poorly understood. This talk will describe data from whole-brain activity mapping experiments showing that neurons in the dorsal peduncular nucleus (DPn), a relatively unexplored territory in ventral prefrontal cortex (vPFC), are highly responsive to the opioid analgesic oxycodone. Click here for Zoom link.
CEE Seminar: Managed Retreat from Floods Versus Wildfires: An Interdisciplinary Research Agenda
March 8, 2024
1:30PM – 2:50PM
McDonnell Douglas Engineering Auditorium (MDEA)
Liz Koslov, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
UCLA
“Managed retreat,” or planned relocation away from high-risk areas, is increasingly broached as a necessary response to climate-linked hazards. This talk draws on cases from New York and California to examine the challenges and questions that retreat poses as it moves across social, cultural and environmental contexts. It describes how the emerging geography of retreat comes into being, showing it to be neither wholly natural nor inevitable but rather the result of social dynamics, policy decisions, and patterns of uneven and racialized development that make some people and places more vulnerable and others relatively secure.
2024 REINES LECTURE: From the Possibility to the Certainty of a Supermassive Black Hole
March 12, 2024
6:30PM – 8:30PM PDT
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Dr. Andrea Ghez
Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UCLA
The 2024 Reines Lecture will be presented by Dr. Andrea Ghez, recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of a supermassive compact object in the Milky Way’s Galactic Center. Click here to register.
MSE 298 Seminar: Surface-Supportive Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Study Of Their Structure-Property
March 14, 2024
2:00PM – 3:20PM
McDonnell Douglas Engineering Auditorium
Fangyuan Tian, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Cal State University, Long Beach
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of hybrid materials, exhibit ultrahigh porosity, structural diversity and multiple functionalities, making them excellent candidates for a variety of applications. Recent progress in making surface-supportive MOF (SURMOF) thin films has dramatically expanded their applications ranging from molecular devices and membranes all the way to biomedicine. This presentation will discuss several examples of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) SURMOFs that can be used in photoelectric conversion and drug delivery.