UCI Microbiome – UCI’s latest Academic Initiative
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the latest interschool Academic Initiative, UCI Microbiome, which exemplifies UCI’s multidisciplinary approach to solving grand challenges.
Microbiomes are communities of microorganisms that inhabit all of Earth’s environments – from the human body to oceans and soils. Recent technological advances have simplified the cataloging of microbiomes, making this a promising emerging field of research and one in which UCI is well-positioned to become a global leader.
The microbiome initiative will promote multidisciplinary collaboration in the study and understanding of human and environmental microbiomes and address such topics as:
- The development of healthy microbiomes in early human life, especially in relation to the transmission of a mother’s microbiome
- The degradation of microbiomes in later life, especially in relation to neurodegenerative disease
- The characterization of healthy ocean and terrestrial microbiomes in Orange County
- The development of in vitro microbiome models for diagnostics and application testing
The UCI Microbiome proposal underwent a thorough review process that produced a high level of support from reviewers. It’s well-aligned with the purpose of the Academic Initiatives program: to advance multidisciplinary research and collaboration across the campus.
If you would like to get involved in this interschool initiative, please contact its director, Jennifer Martiny, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology.
Sincerely,
Enrique J. Lavernia, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Distinguished Professor,
Department of Materials Science and Engineering