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Grad Hooding Q&A – Hinesh Patel
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By Matt Coker, UCI School of Social Ecology
Jianmin Shao, a Ph.D. student in psychological science, has been named a 2023 Dissertation Fellow in Women’s Studies by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars’ WW National Fellowship Foundation.
Shao’s dissertation, “Transgendering In-Betweens: Selfhood, Vulnerability, and Trans-Relational Encounters in China,” examines transgender vulnerability through attention to intimate relationships between not only individuals but also national and trans-national politics. The project aims to rethink gender, sexuality, identity, and the place of trans people in the world.
“It’s really important for me to get this fellowship so that I know that what I’m working on is important and there’s value in what I’m doing,” says Shao (they/them/their), who is one of eight scholars selected this year for the prestigious honor that provides $5,000 in support of dissertation research.
Shao’s research for the interdisciplinary project that exams transgender vulnerability in China involved spending a year there to collect data and conduct in-depth interviews with physicians, non-governmental organization staff activists and transgender individuals.
“I really want to know, in addition to their mental health struggles, what are the structural and social factors that shape their experiences,” Shao says. “So that’s why I went to interview them. I talked to them and did ethnographic observations at parties and other gatherings.”
The WW Women’s Studies Dissertation Fellowship program was established in 1974 to support outstanding humanities and social science Ph.D. candidates whose work address women’s and gender issues in interdisciplinary and original ways. The program has supported more than 600 fellows over the past 50 years, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, two MacArthur fellows and numerous Guggenheim and Fulbright fellows.
Shao, who got their undergraduate degree in social and behavioral sciences at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, received a Mellon International Dissertation Research Fellowship and the UCI Social Ecology Excellence in Mentorship Award as a graduate student in psychological science here.
Hoping to complete studies for a doctorate this summer or in the fall, Shao believes this is the perfect place to do their kind of work.
“I think about academia the same way in which people think about gender because in society, you are allowed to identify as either a man or woman, or there’s very little room for the third option or fourth option,” Shao explains. “In academia, to some extent, you are allowed to be a psychologist or an anthropologist or a gender scholar. But, if you want to be both, or all three of them, it’s going to be hard because people don’t know how to categorize you. I think receiving this fellowship and being housed in the School of Social Ecology really inspired me to continue to do the work that is interdisciplinary, that’s bringing expertise, tools and theories from psychology, anthropology, and feminist gender studies to study the problems that I’m interested in, which is about gendered inequities and marginalization among trans people.”
Shao is also “really appreciative of the mentoring that I’m receiving from my UCI advisors,” who include the Department of Anthropology’s Tom Boellstorff, Kim Fortun, Lilith Mahmud, and Valerie Olson, Department of History’s Emily Baum (“I’m not even housed in their departments, but they really went above and beyond to provide me guidance for the research that I’m doing”), and the Department of Psychological Science’s Chuansheng Chen, Jessica Borelli and Kristine Molina (“One of them is a cultural psychologist, one of them is a clinical psychologist working on the parent-child relationship and the other is a social psychologist working on discrimination. And, all of them are very open and extremely supportive of what I want to do”).
“I really appreciate their encouragement and support,” Shao says. “They’re always there for me whenever I have questions. Doing this kind of work, you definitely need a lot of support from faculty members. I’m glad and appreciative to be mentored by faculty across different departments at UCI.”
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Grad Hooding Q&A – Sophia Gad-Nasr
Sophia Gad-Nasr, PhD Candidate in Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.
Sophia Gad-Nasr is a 6th-year PhD candidate in cosmology and astroparticle physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and will be hooded on June 17 in the Bren Events Center.
Under her advisor Manoj Kaplinghat, she will be defending her thesis in September 2023. Sophia’s work aims to learn about how an invisible and untouchable substance called dark matter behaves and affects the evolution of galaxies through the use of simulations and computational methods. An avid science communicator, Sophia enjoys spending her free time talking about the mysteries of the Universe to share the awe and wonder of it all with her followers.
What is your favorite memory at UCI?
My favorite memory at UCI happened when I took the science communication class with Sandra Tsing Loh. After I edited my practice talk about dark matter for the class and gave the new version with all her amazing suggestions, she had me modulate between high and low pitches for emphasis. It was so much fun to get to talk about my work while learning how powerful modulation is!
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending the Technion in Israel as a Zuckerman Postdoctoral Fellow, where I will get to continue studying the Universe through simulations.
THANKFUL
Manoj Kaplinghat taught me so much about my field, about how to ask the right questions, and how to work through bumps along the road in research. – Sophia Gad-Nasr
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I have always seen myself working at NASA, having a hand in a mission that has to do with uncovering dark matter or learning more about black holes. So, in 5 years, my hopes are that I will be a postdoc through the NASA Postdoctoral Program, and on my way to landing a position as a researcher there.
Who was your biggest influence at UCI?
My biggest influence at UCI was my advisor, Manoj Kaplinghat. He has taught me so much about my field, about how to ask the right questions, and how to work through bumps along the road in research. I am so thankful to have had such an amazing advisor during these 6 years working on my PhD at UCI.
What do you know now that you wish you had known before coming to UCI?
One thing I really wish I did was take part in all the science communication programs here. I actually did know about them, but what I wish I was able to do was carve out time to fit these into my schedule, because the one class I did take turned out to be extremely valuable, and I’m sure the others would have been as well.
What are your hobbies or interests?
In my free time, I actually love talking about space and physics on social media and participate in science communication. I also enjoy taking time to play RPG video games like Final Fantasy, or watching TV shows and movies that are sci-fi or fantasy related. A TV show that I’m really looking forward to is season 2 of Foundation, which is a TV adaptation of the Foundation books by Isaac Asimov. I also enjoy interacting with my hamster Muini.
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Grad Hooding Q&A – Jeevika Bhat
Jeevika Bhat, M.F.A., Dancer and Choreographer
Jeevika Bhat (she/her) is a dancer and choreographer from the Bay Area and will graduate with an MFA in Dance on June 17 in the Bren Events Center.
Her background is in Odissi, an East Indian classical dance form known for its nuanced storytelling and graceful fluidity, and she is interested in defining the confluence of her cultures through her art. She studies Odissi under the guidance of Guru Jyoti Rout and is currently a teacher with her dance company, Jyoti Kala Mandir. Academically, she graduated from UC San Diego, where she earned a BS in Mathematics and minors in Linguistics and Dance, and has been exploring Contemporary Indian dance in many contexts in the years since.
What is your favorite memory at UCI?
Teaching and dancing at ACDA, an intercollegiate dance conference that was hosted by UCI this year. It was such a joy to share Contemporary Indian dance with all the eager dancers from across California, as well learn several new styles, watch incredible performances, and meet so many lovely people in such a fun packed weekend.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m not certain yet, but I am excited to see where the world takes me!
COMMUNITY
The deep sense of community that’s fostered through dance is so euphoric, and it’s been a joy and honor to partake in that with everyone here. – Jeevika Bhat
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully exploring a new city, creating and practicing dance in some capacity! Perhaps on Broadway?
Who was your biggest influence at UCI?
Everyone I’ve ever danced with – through New Slate, Dance Escape, Zamana, my thesis, classes, and beyond. The deep sense of community that’s fostered through dance is so euphoric, and it’s been a joy and honor to partake in that with everyone here. I’ve learned so much with each individual and group I’ve shared space with, and each time, I take little fragments of them with me.
What do you know now that you wish you had known before coming to UCI?
How much a single email can do. I’ve found so many opportunities and made connections by just sending an email to people who I admired and whose work I was interested in, and I wish I had known to start this even sooner. Worst case, status quo!
What are your hobbies or interests?
Outside of dance, I enjoy practicing yoga, cooking, swimming in natural water, and learning about word roots and etymology.
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Grad Hooding Q&A – Jazette Johnson
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Grad Hooding Q&A – Audrey Odwuor
Audrey Odwuor, Ph.D., Earth System Scientist, Communicator.
Audrey Odwuor is an Earth system scientist passionate about improving our scientific and societal understanding of the planet. As a class of 2023 graduate, she will be hooded on June 17 in the Bren Events Center.
She has experience in independent research, teamwork, mentoring, community outreach, and science communication. In her research, which she presented as a competitor twice in Grad Slam, and tied for a second-place finish in 2023, Odwuor studies wildfires and prescribed fire in California. Her outreach and science communication efforts are focused on educating and empowering people around wildfire and other topics in Earth system research and environmental justice.
What is your favorite memory at UCI?
My favorite memory at UCI is co-hosting a live radio show called “Earth Calling ” on KUCI 88.9 FM. With my colleagues and friends Joana Tavares and Mackenzie Ostrowski, I interviewed guests from all across the climate movement to educate listeners, build a sense of community, and inspire confidence that together, we can make progress in the fight against climate change. Between managing the show’s social media, working at the radio station, and getting to meet new people and highlight their hard work and contributions to the climate movement, co-hosting Earth Calling was a fun way to exercise creativity and serve my community and it deepened my sense of purpose as an Earth system scientist.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work in science communication and continue engaging in community outreach. I would like to help make environmental science accessible to people who need it – decision makers, business leaders, educators, community members, and other stakeholders. I’m passionate about using my knowledge and skills to protect the planet and society. Earth system research is relevant to many aspects of our lives, from writing regulations and policies that protect the environment to understanding how our individual and community actions help fight climate change. I hope to communicate Earth system research to keep science at the forefront of these spaces and help bridge the gap between science and society.
Hope
I hope I can use my experience at UCI to act as a link between academia and the broader community, sharing the value of academic research with those who might not otherwise have access. – Audrey Odwuor
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years, I see myself leading creative outreach campaigns, using mass media for science communication to reach a wider audience. My dream is to do this with others who are passionate about engaging the public in the discussion around climate change. Ultimately, I believe community needs should drive scientific research and I think media is a really powerful tool for connecting with people. I hope to use it to build a bridge between scientists and society and help strengthen the links among scientists, communities, and decision-makers.
Who was your biggest influence at UCI?
My biggest influence at UCI has been my friend, colleague, and former co-host Joana Tavares. I was always amazed at how Joana excelled in both conducting and communicating her research. On top of her academic work, she does a lot of community outreach and always inspired me to follow my passions, believe in myself, and make bold moves when it comes to doing work that I can truly be proud of. With Joana’s support, I became more and more involved in community outreach, built a network of science communicators, and began shaping a career where I can continue my pursuit of science while also serving my community.
What do you know now that you wish you had known before coming to UCI?
As I’m completing my time at UCI, I now know that there is more than one way to feel fulfilled with this degree. Earlier in my graduate education at UCI, I thought that the only fate for a grad student was to eventually become a researcher or professor. However, after a couple of years pursuing my PhD, I realized I felt more fulfilled talking to other people about their research than doing my own. At the time, this felt wrong and like I chose the wrong path because I didn’t love my research as much as my colleagues seemed to love theirs. Over time and with the support of my colleagues and the network I’ve built, I learned that sharing science might actually be what best allows me to create the changes I want to see in society. Via my education at UCI, I’ve developed the skills to understand complex problems in Earth system science and built relationships with people who are conducting important research that will affect all of our lives. I hope I can use my experience at UCI to act as a link between academia and the broader community, sharing the value of academic research with those who might not otherwise have access.
By Mimi Ko Cruz
As a Native Hawaiian scholar, Darcianne K. Watanabe wants her research to benefit her community.
The Ph.D. student in social ecology has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to continue researching how specific psychosocial and physiological factors influence cardiovascular disease risk among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
The fellowship provides Watanabe with three years of support through a stipend and tuition funding in the amount of $147,000. She was selected for demonstrating potential to significantly contribute to research that focuses on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the field of social ecology, specializing in psychology.
“I am personally connected to my research through my Native Hawaiian cultural values,” Watanabe says. “Native Hawaiians believe that everyone is spiritually connected, and we practice this spiritual connection through laulima.”
As described in Kahuna Harry Uhane Jim in his book Wise Secrets of Aloha: Learn and Live the Sacred Art of Lomilomi, laulima translates to “many hands” working together toward a common goal like a loving family.
“The ‘many hands’ could be relatives, but it also extends to community members,” Watanabe explains. “My conceptualization of laulima further extends this cooperative circle to include academics and students. In other words, everyone is responsible for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in Native Hawaiian and other indigenous populations and strengthening these communities. That is, when ‘many hands’ work together toward reducing health disparities, we are more likely to accomplish this goal.”
Watanabe, who expects to complete her M.A. in social ecology this spring and her doctorate in 2026, has a B.A. in criminology, law and society (summa cum laude) from UCI and an associate’s degree from Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii, where she is from.
She hopes to land a professorship upon graduation. “I hope to secure a position as a professor at a Research-I institution where I can continue this critical research,” Watanabe says. “Another goal of mine is to inspire future scholars like myself to pursue academic careers.”
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs), like other indigenous populations, she says, “are at greater risk for various mental and physical health outcomes, yet they are underrepresented in research, especially outside of the State of Hawaii. Additionally, Asian Americans and NHPIs have historically been studied/grouped together as ‘Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ so less is known about the nuance among these racial/ethnic groups, despite the fact that they are two of the fastest-growing groups in the U.S. My aim is to help underrepresented groups, like NHPIs, cope with stress and adversity and increase their representation in research.”
One of her UCI mentors, Elliott Currie, professor of criminology, law and society, gives Watanabe high praise.
“Darci is a rare combination of great talent, an incredible work ethic, and a deep commitment to helping to build a more equitable society where everyone can thrive,” Currie says. “I’ve watched her grow since she was an undergraduate in my classes, and she just keeps getting better and better at what she does. The NSF fellowship helps give her the space to do truly important research on the determinants of health disparities that affect people’s lives in very tangible ways. I’m already excited to see the results!”
Before earning her undergraduate degree, Watanabe worked as a litigation legal secretary for 20 years, most recently in intellectual property law. She is a proud member of Ainahau O Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club, a nonprofit organization whose aims are to increase awareness about indigenous Native Hawaiian cultural practices, values, language and traditions.
Born and raised in Oahu, Watanabe moved to California in 2003 as a single mother to raise her daughter Deisha, who recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.S. in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
Her daughter is her best friend.
“Growing up together has been both incredibly challenging and rewarding, so I’m grateful for her patience, kindness and love,” Watanabe says. “She continues to inspire me to be a better mom, student, researcher and future academic.”
Watanabe also appreciates her UCI advisors, Professor Currie, Assistant Professor DeWayne Williams and Distinguished Professor Julian Thayer, for their mentorship.
“Dr. Currie gave me my first research opportunity as an undergraduate student at UCI and inspired me to pursue an academic and teaching career,” she notes. “I thank Dr. Williams for introducing me to psychophysiology and giving me a home in his lab. He has continually challenged me and enabled me to grow as a scientist and scholar. In addition, I thank Dr. Thayer for improving my understanding of statistics, and Drs. Marc Jarczok and Julian Koenig for their guidance on my master’s thesis and recently submitted publication.”
And for their tireless encouragement and support, Watanabe says she is ever thankful for her parents, Craig and Sandra Watanabe.
Irvine, Calif. – Highlighted by the program in education, nine fields of advanced study at the University of California, Irvine placed in the nation’s top 20 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 graduate school rankings, published online today, marking UCI as one of the leading locations in the country for students to pursue graduate degrees.
“UCI has established itself as a world-class public research university in a wide range of graduate disciplines,” said Gillian Hayes, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate Division. “These rankings confirm that our campus offers challenging and intellectually rich opportunities for students of all backgrounds to achieve academic and professional excellence.”
The newly released rankings underscore the continued distinction of the School of Education, which placed fourth among public universities and 11th overall. Its doctoral programs boast an internationally acclaimed research and teaching faculty, a supportive community of interdisciplinary scholars, and highly selective student cohorts admitted annually.
“The UCI School of Education’s top rankings by U.S. News & World Report are a testament to our exemplary record of research, academic programs, talented staff and scholarly community. Our impact on the education sector at all levels and our expanding partnerships across the region and state illustrate our transformative work in and out of the classroom from early childhood to higher education and beyond,” said Frances Contreras, School of Education dean and professor.
Other graduate programs at UCI within the top 20 among public universities were:
- Chemistry, 11th (24th overall)
- Business/full-time MBA, 15th (37th overall)
- Earth science, 16th (27th overall)
- Computer science, 17th (31st overall)
- Mathematics, 17th (34th overall)
- Physics, 18th (35th overall)
- Business/fully employed MBA, 18th (28th overall)
- Engineering, 19th (34th overall)
Several specialty programs were also rated, with many at UCI landing in the top 20 among public universities. Organic chemistry ranked sixth and inorganic chemistry seventh. In computer science, artificial intelligence was 11th. Geometry placed sixth (16th overall), while computer engineering ranked 15th and biomedical engineering 16th.
U.S. News did not evaluate any arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology or biological sciences programs this year, as these are rated in alternate years. Updated 2023-24 medical school and law school rankings will be released at a later date.
UCI is one of the top graduate degree-granting institutions in the U.S., offering more than 120 master’s and Ph.D. programs. It has over 6,000 students engaged in advanced scholarship and research. In 2022, UCI granted 1,754 master’s degrees and 500 Ph.D.s.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
Irvine, Calif. – The University of California Irvine hosted its ninth annual Grad Slam competition at the Edwards Lifesciences campus on March 9. Muhammad Twaha Ibrahim took home the win and a $6,000 check from first place sponsor Phonexa. Emani Dotch and Audrey Odwuor tied for second place with each competitor taking home $2,500, sponsored by Cie and the UCI Graduate Alumni Chapter.
“I’m really grateful to finally win Grad Slam, especially as I approach graduation,” Twaha Ibrahim said. “This journey took me four attempts, but I learned a lot about myself along the way, especially the importance of being persistent, which has helped me not only as a scholar, but also as a person.”
Part of UCI’s Graduate Division, Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars. Twaha Ibrahim will represent UCI at the Grad Slam Systemwide Finals on May 5. The 2023 contest will be emceed by UC President Michael Drake at LinkedIn’s headquarters in San Francisco.
“I’m so impressed with Twaha along with all of our finalists,” said Gillian Hayes, Vice Provost for Graduate Education. “Twaha’s journey is the ultimate representation of perseverance and dedication. These 10 finalists did a wonderful job of representing our university. I also want to thank our sponsors for making this special event a reality.”
The in-person competition, that can be viewed in full here, not only highlights the excellence, importance, and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it’s also designed to increase graduate students’ communication skills.
Twaha’s presentation was titled “Lights, Camera, Surgery!”, Emani’s was named “Stop Making That Noise!”, while Audrey’s talk was titled “Fighting Fire With Fire”. This was Audrey’s second consecutive UCI Grad Slam Finals appearance.
In the competition, graduate students master the ability to effectively present their work with poise and confidence. It’s also an opportunity to share accomplishments with the campus, friends of UCI, the local community, and the broader public.
Thank you again to our sponsors, Edwards Lifesciences, Phonexa, Cie and the UCI Grad Alumni Chapter, for making this event a huge success.
About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, UCI is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
Irvine, Calif. – The University of California Irvine will host its ninth annual Grad Slam competition at the Edwards Lifesciences campus on March 9.
Part of UCI’s Graduate Division, Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars.
The in-person competition not only highlights the excellence, importance, and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it’s also designed to increase graduate students’ communication skills.
In the competition, graduate students master the ability to effectively present their work with poise and confidence. It’s also an opportunity to share accomplishments with the campus, friends of UCI, the local community, and the broader public.
Cie is a venture studio that serves as an innovation lab and accelerator for bold entrepreneurs who want to transform disruptive ideas into thriving ventures. It will be the Second Place Sponsor of the event. In addition, founder and CEO Anderee Berengian will serve as a judge.
With more than 20 years of experience steering corporate and product strategy, Berengian is an accomplished entrepreneur, technologist, and investor passionate about driving progress through digital innovation. At Cie, Berengian is responsible for building a world-class execution-focused team and growing Cie’s digital transformation ideas into sustainable, profitable companies.
“We’re so excited to partner with such an innovative company like CIE,” said Gillian Hayes, Vice Provost for Graduate Education at UCI Irvine. “Like our graduate students, CIE not only develops ideas, but also puts them into action. Anderee and his company are the perfect partners for this event.”
Grad Slam winners receive cash prizes up to $11,000 and a competitive resume line.
Presentation clarity and effectiveness for a general university audience is strongly considered in the judging process.
“I’ve been involved with Grad Slam and the UCI Graduate Division for several years now and I can honestly say I look forward to the event every year,” said Berengian. “Having served as a judge before, I’ve been able to get a first-hand look at some of these impressive scholars and their innovative ideas. I’m thrilled to support Grad Slam once again this year.”
For more information on the event, please contact Raslyn Rendon at rrendon@uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, UCI is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.