September 5, 2014 UC President Janet Napolitano has appointed School of Biological Sciences Dean Frank M. LaFerla to a seat on the inaugural California Advisory Board of Cal-BRAIN. Selected for his expertise and standing in the area of Alzheimer’s Disease research and...
Dr. Michael Leon Authors Article in Scientific American
Sep 19, 2014
Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Michael Leon wrote an article featured in the August 26, 2014 issue of Scientific American: “Environmental enrichment may help treat autism – and help us all.” If you’d like to learn...
Warmer Temperatures Affect How Soils Store Carbon
Sep 19, 2014
A research team that included Steven Allison, associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology in the School of Biological Sciences, has found that warmer temperatures shorten the lifespan of soil microbes, and this may affect how soils store carbon. Their...

Student Spotlight
Aug 21, 2014
Graduate Convocation Honorees, June 11, 2014 Dean Frank LaFerla, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies Michael Mulligan, and the 2014 Graduate Honors Convocation Awardees: Fine Science Tools Graduate Travel Award in Developmental Biology: Natalie Goldberg and Seong Kim...
Transitions
Aug 21, 2014
Vice Provost for Academic Personnel Appointed from the Biological Sciences School Dr. Diane O’Dowd has accepted the position of Vice Provost for Academic Personnel, effective October 1, 2014. Dr. O’Dowd has provided exemplary leadership and service to the Biological...
Faculty Recognition
Aug 21, 2014
John Avise Honored by the American Fisheries Society Dr. John Avise, Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is among four inaugural Hall of Excellence awardees selected by the Genetics Section of the American Fisheries Society. The AFS...
First Annual Biological Sciences School Picnic Celebrates Faculty, Staff and Students
Aug 21, 2014
On June 27, 2014, the First Annual Biological Sciences School Picnic was hosted by Dean Frank LaFerla for the school’s faculty, staff and graduate students. The occasion celebrated the people of the Biological Sciences School and kicked off the 50th anniversary...
First Commencement since School Renaming Celebrates Biological Sciences School Graduates
Aug 21, 2014
On Monday, June 16, 2014, the commencement ceremony was held for graduating students of the recently renamed School of Biological Sciences. The ceremony marked the first time that an Biological Sciences School Commencement was celebrated under that name, and it was...

School of Biological Sciences Graduate Student Speaks at Commencement with President Obama
Aug 21, 2014
Biological Sciences School doctoral student Jessica Pratt presented the graduate student address at the campus-wide ceremony attended by President Obama at Angels Stadium. Dr. Pratt, who defended her thesis in fall 2013, had no idea that she would ultimately be...
UCI study identifies unique scaffold protein that aids in attachment of tendons to muscles
Jul 31, 2014
Research yields ideas for novel methods in treatment of sports injuries, heart attacks and other musculoskeletal disorders such as muscular dystrophies New research in the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine is raising hope for potential new methods to help the...