In this report, you will find groundbreaking research that shapes the future of California and beyond, from protecting ecosystems against climate change to fighting diseases and preserving biodiversity. This year’s Dean’s Report is focused on our home state of California. We hope to call attention to some of the work being done by
faculty at the School of Biological Sciences that has a direct impact on the state’s residents and ecosystems, from climate change to diabetes research and much more.
Featured Articles
Beyond the Trap: The Hidden Chemistry of a Carnivorous Plant’s Meal
Carnivorous plants look like they run on instinct: catch an insect, digest it and absorb nutrients. But for scientists, a core question has remained difficult to answer: how does a plant “know” it has caught prey, and how does it decide which chemical tools to deploy next?
New Study Opens Door to Targeting Hard-to-Treat Disease Proteins
Many of today’s most serious diseases are driven by harmful proteins inside the body. These proteins can fuel cancer, chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, yet scientists still do not have good ways to target many of them.
Scientists Uncover How Bacteria Outsmart the Airway’s Cleaning System
A team of scientists from UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and collaborating institutions has uncovered a striking new way that harmful bacteria gain a foothold in the body: They deliver a protein into human cells that helps them move through the dense, beating barrier of airway cilia and settle into a safer place to grow.
Unlocking Memory: A Molecular Switch That Strengthens or Silences What We Remember
A new study from researchers in the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior at the UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences is shedding light on one of the most fundamental and fragile human abilities: memory.
Making Science Matter: Cameron Geller Wins UCI Grad Slam
PhD candidate Cameron Geller of the Department of Developmental & Cell Biology has been named the 2026 UC Irvine Grad Slam Champion, earning top honors in a campuswide competition that […]
The annual Dean’s Report showcases the growth, teaching and research advancements made at the school during the last academic year. Each report carries an important message from the dean and every year a theme based on current challenges in the life sciences.
If you would you like to request an interview with one of our Dunlop School researchers, please contact our communications team at biosci@uci.edu. > View Previous Dean’s Reports