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

2021-06-29T12:33:48-07:00
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