Graduate Division Dean's Update: 5/14/25

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

In the past few weeks, I’ve had the incredible privilege of listening to many of you talk about your research. Whether it was cheering on Casey Vanderlip at the Grad Slam finals in Sacramento (what a powerhouse!), hearing students connect with industry leaders at the Pacific Club, or witnessing passionate advocacy for research in high-level meetings—you have reminded me, again and again, just how extraordinary this community is. 

 

I often say you are our future. But the truth is, you’re shaping our present too. The work you are doing—quietly, diligently, with so much care and courage—is already transforming what we know, how we live, and where we’re going. It’s deeply impressive. It’s also deeply necessary. 

And yet, I know that the end of the year can feel overwhelming. You’re juggling milestones, writing deadlines, qualifying exams, grading, fieldwork, and lab hours. Add to that the uncertainty surrounding research funding, and it’s easy to wonder: Does my work matter? Does anyone see it? 

I want you to hear this clearly: Yes. It matters. You matter. Your work is changing the world. 

Here are just a few recent examples of how graduate students and postdocs at UC Irvine are pushing the boundaries of knowledge—and leaving their mark: 

  • Hydrogen Molecule Quantum Sensor (2022): UCI Ph.D. student Likun Wang (Physics & Astronomy) led a Science paper that introduced a breakthrough “quantum microscope” capable of sensing electric fields using just a single hydrogen molecule. Working in Prof. Wilson Ho’s lab, Wang showed how this molecule could detect field shifts with precision smaller than an atom—a tenth of an angstrom! This research opens new doors for quantum computing and nanotechnology. He was joined by fellow graduate student Yunpeng Xia, who co-led the experiments and data analysis, and Dan Bai, who helped build the custom microscope that made the discovery possible. Together, these students achieved something breathtaking: a new way of seeing the invisible. 
  • “Item Memory” Neurons Discovery (2024): Graduate students Heechul Jun (M.D./Ph.D., Medical Scientist Training Program) and Jason Y. Lee (Ph.D., Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program) co-led a Nature study uncovering how the brain encodes the “what” of memory. Working in Prof. Kei Igarashi’s lab, they identified neurons in the lateral entorhinal cortex that distinguish whether an object or experience is associated with something rewarding or unpleasant—offering major insight into how memories are stored and retrieved. Their work may shape future therapies for Alzheimer’s. The study also included invaluable contributions from research technicians Nicholas R. Bleza and Ayana Ichii, and postdoc Jordan Donohue. 

 

  • Climate Warming & Deadly Heat Waves (2017): In a Science Advances study, Ph.D. student Omid Mazdiyasni (Civil & Environmental Engineering) revealed a sobering truth: even a modest rise in average temperature can lead to a dramatic increase in deadly heat waves. Under the guidance of Prof. Amir AghaKouchak, with support from Prof. Steven J. Davis (Earth System Science), Mazdiyasni analyzed over 50 years of Indian weather and mortality data. Graduate students Elisa Ragno and Mohsen Niknejad contributed key modeling and data work. Their research is now influencing how we understand—and respond to—the human cost of climate change. 
  • Toddler “Recency Bias” in Choices (2019): Cognitive sciences doctoral candidate Emily Sumner led a PLOS One study showing that toddlers under age 3 are heavily influenced by the order in which choices are presented. Working with researchers from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Rochester, Sumner discovered that toddlers overwhelmingly choose the last option they hear—like picking cake over broccoli simply because it was offered second. This finding was the first to reveal how memory patterns—not necessarily preference—shape young children’s responses. Her work has since shaped how developmental psychologists and parents alike think about decision-making in early childhood. 

These are just a few snapshots of the brilliance unfolding in your labs, studios, field sites, and classrooms. Your research is bold. It’s necessary. And it is absolutely making a difference. 

 

Please don’t lose sight of that—especially now. Drink some water. Take a breath. And remember: we see you. We are so proud of you. 

Office hours for the coming weeks are listed below. They are first come, first serve:  https://uci.zoom.us/j/7277477

Wednesday, May 21 – 2:30 AM
Tuesday, May 27 – 11:00 AM

Now on to the rest of this week’s events and opportunities:

Join us for an Interstride Onboarding Session
Join us for a special virtual training session on Monday, May 19th, from 1:00–2:00 PM to discover Interstride—a dynamic career development platform designed to support international students and globally minded grads like you!

Whether you’re navigating visa options, exploring job opportunities abroad, or looking for tailored career resources, Interstride offers the tools to help you succeed across borders.

What you’ll learn:

  • How to use Interstride to research global job markets
  • Tools for finding visa-sponsored jobs and internships
  • Resources for resume building, networking, and interview prep
  • Insider tips for making the most of your Interstride account

To get the most out of this session, we encourage you to create your Interstride account and explore the platform in advance. Come with questions and be ready to take your career planning to the next level! This platform is completely FREE for UC Irvine students. All UC Irvine graduate students should have received instructions on how to create their account. 

Create your Interstride account here: https://student.interstride.com/

Dive into Entrepreneurship with Cie – Register for this site visit
May 22nd 1-3 pm PT
Register: ​​https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fevents%2F30006101275485
Hey graduate students, make sure to register for this unique site visit experience at Cie. Connect with founders and executives at one of the top venture studios in the country. 

  • Meet founders, execs & investors
  • Tour their innovation-driven HQ
  • Optional Shark Tank-style pitch (5 student teams selected)!
  • Register by: May 16 via Career Explorations/12twenty
  • Only 25 spots available!

Any questions, please contact Jennifer Ellinger, Director of Industry Partnerships at jolsenel@uci.edu

GSR Opportunity in the Office of the Campus Writing & Communication Coordinator!

Position Title: Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), Office of the Campus Writing & Communication Coordinator, Writing Across the Curriculum + Writing in the Disciplines Program (WAC+WID)

Timeframe: F/W/S 2025-26

Workload: 50% = Up to 20 hours per week on the regular 11-week/quarter academic calendar

Job Responsibilities: The GSR works closely with the Campus Writing & Communication Coordinator and the WAC+WID Coordinator to advance the programmatic aims of these neighboring units. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Professional interest in writing and communication pedagogy
  • Demonstrated organizational and project management skills
  • Capacity to give thoughtful, timely feedback on instructional materials related to teaching writing and communication across multiple disciplines
  • Prior experience navigating and developing online instructional tools such as Canvas and WordPress
  • Comfort offering a small suite of workshops for a range of UCI instructors

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience in writing/communication assessment
  • Prior experience in one-on-one consulting with faculty to meet their instructional needs
  • Working knowledge of WAC+WID initiatives
  • Working familiarity with the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
  • Prior experience handling P3 Level data and IRB documentation
  • Prior experience corresponding with faculty in a variety of contexts, including initiating contact on time-sensitive matters, managing guest speaker schedules, following up on requests for assistance, and revising and issuing campus-wide Newsletters and Zotmails
  • Prior experience in facilitating small and large group training meetings

Detailed Job Responsibilities May Include: 

  • Assisting in the development, facilitation, and creation of new educational content for the Writing Pedagogy Certificate Program, which is an online, asynchronous Canvas course that helps instructors across campus develop scaffolding, assessment tools, and prompts for writing assignments. The ideal candidate will be familiar with using Canvas as an instructor. You will be responsible for regularly commenting on instructor submissions on Canvas as a team, and must be comfortable recording yourself on Zoom or Canvas. 
  • Assisting in the development, screening of applicants, and facilitation of meetings for the WAC+WID Graduate Scholars Program, which funds and mentors graduate students (4 per year) from across campus to develop a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (or SoTL) research project focused on writing pedagogy. 
  • Developing and facilitating 1-2 campus-wide workshops per quarter that support instructors’ writing and communication pedagogy across campus. Workshops are usually offered both in-person at the Writing Center and on Zoom. For examples of workshop topics, please look at our core programming (with previous quarters linked at the bottom) and our workshop topics page. 
  • Maintaining and developing new pages for our website using WordPress and its Divi Builder plugin, assisting with sign-up links for events on Calendly (an events management system), and creating graphics using Canva for presentations and website materials.
  • In coordination with the WAC+WID Coordinator, holding consultations with faculty and graduate instructors on pedagogical topics throughout the academic term, both in-person and over Zoom.

Application guidelines:

Please submit a CV and a detailed cover letter including an explanation of your professional interest in writing and communication pedagogy, and the name of your primary faculty mentor who can serve as a reference. 

Documents should be uploaded as PDFs to this Google Form.

Submission deadline is May 15, 2025. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email the Campus Writing & Communication Coordinator, Professor Daniel M. Gross (dgross@uci.edu). 

Rapid Response Networks for Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Please see this list of resources for rapid response networks in California for immigration and customs enforcement. Also please make sure to subscribe to the DREAM Center newsletter for important updates, upcoming events, and scholarship opportunities. For the most updated news regarding visas and immigration, please visit our Immigration Policy Updates page or the UCI International Center.

UCI Libraries Student Display Program
The UC Irvine Libraries Student Displays pilot program proudly shares the work and creativity of UCI students with the UCI community. Temporary displays in the Langson and Science Libraries, created by students, can include original student art, writing, research, and more in both physical and digital formats. Click here to find out more about the program.

 

Please Complete the UC Graduate Student Survey
You probably saw the email from me earlier last month. However, In case you didn’t, I want to introduce you to the UC Graduate Student Survey (UCGSES). As Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education, I want all students at UC Irvine to have the best educational experience possible. The UC Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES) is your opportunity to give us critical information about your graduate experience so we can work to achieve that goal.

Please share with us your experience at UC Irvine. To take the survey, please use this link: https://ucal.us/ucgsesuci

As an added bonus, $800 in prizes will be awarded randomly to students who complete the survey.  The sooner you complete the survey, the more chances you have to win. I encourage you to complete the survey as soon as possible.

The survey can be completed over multiple sittings. Your answers will be held in the strictest confidence and any reporting of results will not be associated with you.  If you have difficulties accessing the survey or have questions about survey procedures, please contact GradStudentSurvey@ucop.edu. General information about the survey is also available at https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/services/survey-services/uc-graduate-student-experience-survey.html

Take Advantage of Division of Career Pathways’ Professional Photo Booth
The Division of Career Pathways (DCP) is pleased to introduce our all-new Professional Photo Booth, a complimentary, walk-in service at the Division of Career Pathways offering FREE professional headshots for UCI students, staff, and faculty. These professional headshots are perfect for your LinkedIn/ Handshake/ Zoom profile, department website, and also works for UCI Digital ID photo requirements. 

 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Randall Lewis Health Policy Fellowship
The purpose of the Randall Lewis Health & Policy Fellowship program is to ensure the development of public health and health administration, health policy, urban planning, and data professionals who possess the necessary skills to influence positive change in public policy, systems, and the built environment in our local communities. The Fellowship is a collaboration between participating cities, agencies, businesses, health systems, local not-for-profits, county departments of public health and universities. Students in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply: MPH, MHA, MBA MPP, MUP, Data Science and, Doctoral Fellows!

  • A stipend is paid to the fellows upon completion of hours, projects, and final deliverables ($6,500)
  • UCI will also provide a stipend of $2,000 for up to 5 fellows for 2025-26
  • Professional Development
  • fellows are matched with a “hosting site” according to their skill sets, interests and training

Register for our Information Session on May 20th at 3pm: https://uci.questionpro.com/t/AaSycZ6GyW

Fulbright Student Program Applications Open
The Fulbright Student Program supports graduate students doing research or teaching abroad.  You can apply independently or with an institutional endorsement from UCI. If you would like to pursue an institutional endorsement, you must adhere to the UCI internal process which is outline here.

External Opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars

Global Science Scholars
The Global Science Scholars program is a postdoctoral fellowship of up to two years designed to advance early-stage careers and catalyze groundbreaking science globally. We are seeking to support cutting-edge science in bioengineering and biomedical domains and, in particular, people who are committed to pursuing up to two years of research directed at creating a better future for all by conducting research outside of their degree granting country

  • The application deadline is May 27, 2025
  • Up to 2 Years of Funding

CRI Postdoctoral Fellowships
In response to recent disruptions in federal funding, CRI is committing an additional $2.5 million in funding to support 10 additional postdoctoral fellowships over the next year. This investment directly supports early-career scientists, ensuring that we continue fostering the next generation of IO researchers.

  • The application deadline is September 1, 2025
  • Up to 3 Years of Funding

Graduate Division Completion Fellowships
If extreme health issues, major research delays, or other significant circumstances have substantially impacted your academic progress, you may apply for one-quarter of funding through a Completion Fellowship. This call is for the 2025-2026 academic year and cannot be combined with other UCI stipends or appointments. The goal is to provide you with a final quarter of support to complete your dissertation.  

Priority will be given to students with cost-share from their school, particularly if more than one quarter is needed. Students may also plan to combine the fellowship quarter with an additional quarter on filing-fee status, allowing for up to three-quarters of work leading to degree completion.  

If an additional quarter of NRST funding is required, it will be included as part of the Completion Fellowship.

If you are out of funding (this includes anyone eligible for employment) that would cover the cost of a quarter, you may apply for one quarter from the Graduate Division.

Applicants must specify how their research or other academic work was delayed. Although details are not required, applicants may also provide information about how events affected them.

A letter of support and any matching funds available from their associate dean, chair, or adviser.

Applicants must submit a timeline for completion of the degree.

Completion fellowship recipients must file their dissertation and degree no later than the end of the Summer quarter of 2026.

Departments/Schools/Colleges will be required to re-pay the awarded funds to the Graduate Division if the filing requirement is unmet.  

Completion Fellowship recipients cannot hold any university employment, including but not limited to TA/Associate/Reader/Tutor or GSR/GSAR/ positions during the fellowship quarter.

APPLY NOW: https://cglink.me/2eo/s82914

No applications will be accepted after June 30th, 2025.

Deadline: June 30th, 2025

Questions? Contact: Jaymi Smith @ jaymis@uci.edu

Doc 2A NRST Support
This funding is available for students who have entered Doc 2A status (anyone enrolled for more than 9 quarters past their advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D.) and need assistance paying the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition. Not everyone who applies for aid will receive it.  The allocations depend on the amount of submissions, the quality of submissions, your academic status, and available funds.

If you became or will become Doc 2A in the 2025-2026 AY and are fully out of funding, you may apply for one-quarter of NRST support. This funding is NOT guaranteed.

– Applicants must supply a statement of how their research was delayed.

– A letter of support and any matching funds available from the department is required from the applicant’s advisor or school.

– Applicants must submit a timeline for completion of Ph.D.

Deadline: June 30th, 2025

Apply now: https://cglink.me/2eo/s82915

Dean’s Recent Alumni Fellowship
This fellowship aims at easing the transition from graduate school into full-time careers either in academia or other industries. While the fellowship is unpaid, a recipient of this fellowship will receive access to resources that will pay immense dividends going forward and was developed in consultation with young professionals and alumni to provide resources they wished they had access to while in graduate school. Click above for more information and to apply.

More information is located on the Current Fellowships page and 2023-24 Funding Timeline.  Additionally, please reach out to Turner Dahl (tdahl@uci.edu) with any questions you may have.

In Closing
As you consider the many opportunities ahead—fellowships, trainings, grants, or simply the next brave step in your research—I hope you also take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. The road of graduate and postdoctoral study is not an easy one, but it is rich with meaning, impact, and possibility. You are not alone on that path. You are part of a vibrant, brilliant community that believes in your work and stands ready to support you. Keep asking bold questions. Keep pushing the boundaries. And above all, keep believing in the value of what you bring to the world—because we believe in it too. 

All the best,

Jaymi Lee Smith
Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Interim Dean of the Graduate Division