Health Sustainability Policy Technology

Explore more solutions:promise.ucr.edu2015 RESEARCH IMPACTS

U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , R I V E R S I D E

LIVING THE PROMISE

INNOVATIVE THINKING

BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCHREAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

PROMISE

It’s about asking the right questions.

It’s about finding the right partner. It’s about providing real world solutions.

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Can the damage caused by multiple

sclerosis be reversed?

Affecting more than 2.3 million people worldwide, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease

in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, breaking down the

protective cover coating the axons of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Those

suffering from MS experience a wide range of physical symptoms including weakness

or numbness in the arms and legs, slurred speech, and loss of vision. Though estrogen

treatments have been effective in preventing onset of permanent disability, the hormone

may increase risk of breast and uterine cancers in women and its feminizing effects are

undesirable for men.

After testing different chemicals that mimic estrogen, biomedical scientist Seema

Tiwari-Woodruff found one successful in fighting the disease without the negative

side effects. The drug compound indazole chloride diminishes inflammation that

accompanies MS flare-ups and stimulates regeneration of the myelin sheath – the

nerve pathway coating that is progressively destroyed as MS attacks the nervous

system. Focused on finding a cure for MS, this research also provides hope for treating

traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries and some stroke patients.

Seema Tiwari-WoodruffH E A L T H Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences School of Medicine

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Hearing plays a vital role in the way we communicate, and even a small amount of hearing

loss can have detrimental social and emotional impacts. For example, many adults develop

problems processing rapid changes in sound frequency, a declining ability to distinguish

the difference between words such as “look” and “book.” This struggle becomes more

difficult in listening conditions such as a noisy room. While hearing aids amplify sounds

to make them louder, they don’t improve speech recognition because the brain itself has

changed, altering the way words are interpreted.

UCR neuroscientist Khaleel Razak investigates how the auditory cortex of the brain

processes information about sound locations, and how those mechanisms are altered by

disease and aging. Razak is working to identify the neuron types lost or changed during

aging, and to find combinations of behavioral or pharmacological therapies that could

prevent brain changes affecting hearing loss. Discoveries from his lab may also help

individuals with hearing aids and cochlear implants; musicians, mechanics and machinists;

and individuals with Fragile X Syndrome, the most common cause of autism.

Are there better ways to treat hearing loss?

Khaleel A. Razak H E A L T HAssociate Professor, PsychologyCollege of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

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Does better sleep improve your memory?

As with physical health, aging adults experience a decline in cognition, losing the

ability to recall information about people, places, events and experiences. A pioneer

in her field, Sara Mednick studies the neural mechanisms of learning and memory,

focusing on sleep and its importance. While little is known about sleep, it is vital to

human life, affecting behavior and possibly playing an integral role in many cognitive

disorders impacting a large population.

Sleep spindles are bursts of brain activity that last for a second or less during a specific

stage of sleep. Research conducted by Mednick demonstrates the critical role sleep

spindles play in consolidating information from short-term to long-term memory

and reveals that a commonly prescribed sleep aid enhances the process. Mednick’s

findings uncover possibilities to integrate sleep into medical diagnoses and treatment

strategies, tailoring sleep to address particular cognitive disorders and improving

memory for aging adults and those with dementia, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

H E A L T H Sara Mednick Assistant Professor, Psychology College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

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With a lack of groundwater in the Central Valley and the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada at an

all-time low, California’s governor has implemented historic, mandatory water restrictions

to address the prolonged drought. While it is important not to invest in reduction strategies

blindly, California policymakers must quickly take action to implement long-term solutions

that will ensure we get the return we need for a safe and reliable water supply.

In the hub of the Southern California Metropolitan Water District system, UCR is strategically

located to help inform local, regional and state policymakers of efficient ways to manage

water. Kenneth Baerenklau and Kurt Schwabe, environmental economists in UCR’s new

School of Public Policy, specialize in issues critical to water policy, quality and scarcity,

advising water agency managers on information campaigns, tiered-pricing models, supply

and reuse options, and technology-based rebate programs. Their continued partnership

will further establish innovative conservation policies and efforts to better understand

their effects.

What is the best way for California to manage

scarce water resources?

Professor, Environmental Economics & Policy, School of Public Policy Kurt Schwabe P O L I C YAssociate Professor, Environmental Economics & Policy, School of Public Policy Kenneth Baerenklau

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Does mainstream media influence better

policy decisions?

When looking at major trends and societal shifts that have occurred in the United

States, most laws are far behind the changing of popular sentiment. With immigration

and religion continuing to be controversial campaign issues for the 2016 presidential

elections, how can popular media help shape public opinions and influence sound

policy-making?

An internationally acclaimed Iranian-American author and scholar of religions, UCR

Professor Reza Aslan is one of the most influential voices among American media and

foreign policy experts. A contributing editor at the Daily Beast, a regular guest on

“The Daily Show,” and author of the best-selling book “Zealot: The Life and Times of

Jesus of Nazareth,” Aslan is breaking barriers through education, art, stories and even

television. Harnessing the power of pop culture media, Aslan co-founded BoomGen

Studios to transform perceptions of the Middle East. He will host CNN’s “Believer,”

a spiritual adventure series, and has collaborated with another UCR professor on a

biblical drama for the ABC network titled “Of Kings and Prophets.”

Professor, Creative WritingCollege of Humanities, Arts, and Social SciencesReza AslanP O L I C Y

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Despite spending nearly $3 billion annually on STEM (science, technology, engineering

and math) education, America ranks 25th in math and 17th in science when compared

to other countries on international assessments. Yet the majority of K-12 school districts

in the country continue to face a critical shortfall of qualified science and mathematics

teachers. As federal and state funding for STEM teacher training ramps up, how can we

recruit and inspire a new generation of educators to tackle the challenge?

As a nationally recognized expert in K-12 education, the new Dean of UCR’s Graduate

School of Education (GSOE), Thomas Smith, is collaborating with CalTEACH-SMI, a UC

system-wide partnership that encourages undergraduate STEM majors to pursue careers

in K-12 education. By developing research collaborations with the Bourns College of

Engineering (BCOE) and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) related

to STEM teaching and learning, the program will increase the number of UCR STEM

undergraduates entering the GSOE teacher education program. GSOE will also work with

school districts in the Inland Empire to increase the knowledge of current teachers on the

new mathematics and science standards.

How can we improve America’s competitive edge in science and technology?

Dean, Graduate School of EducationThomas Smith P O L I C Y

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What’s needed to keep up with America’s

growing energy needs?

As global demand for energy rapidly increases, transforming the way we generate,

supply, transmit, store, and use energy will be one of the 21st century’s most critical

scientific challenges. Understanding that incremental advances in current energy

technology will not be sufficient, the U.S. Department of Energy established the Energy

Frontier Research Center (EFRC) program. With the nation’s most talented scientists

working together, can we accelerate the breakthroughs needed to secure a sustainable

energy future in the United States?

A UC Riverside research project led by physicist Jing Shi is among the 32 Energy

Frontier Research Centers pursuing fundamental advances in energy production,

storage and use. With help from an interdisciplinary team of researchers from

seven universities, “Spins and Heat in Nanoscale Electronic Systems” (SHINES) will

explore the interaction of spin, charge and heat to achieve significantly higher energy

efficiencies in electronic devices, laying the groundwork for energy technology for

the nation.

Jing Shi Professor, PhysicsCollege of Natural and Agricultural SciencesS U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

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Seeking to be a leader in the global food arena, the University of California launched the

Global Food Initiative to address the myriad of food issues confronting the world, including

availability, security, sustainability and nutrition. Dedicated to the welfare, development

and protection of California agriculture, UC Cooperative Extension (CE) specialists focus

on enhancing crop productivity, fruit quality and good agricultural practices. How can they

meet the needs of California growers while also satisfying the demands of discriminating

consumers seeking fresh, healthful foods with exceptional taste?

At UCR, where researchers have played a major role in helping California become the

agricultural powerhouse of the nation, CE subtropical horticulturalist Mary Lu Arpaia

is passionate about improving the in-demand avocado. Led by Arpaia, UCR’s avocado

breeding program has released four varieties, including GEM, which boasts the same

excellent characteristics as the coveted Hass, while reducing harvesting and maintenance

costs for growers thanks to its consistent production and more compact trees.

How do we develop the world’s tastiest avocado?

Subtropical Horticulturalist, UC Cooperative Extension College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Mary Lu Arpaia S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

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Distinguished Professor, BiogeochemistryCollege of Natural and Agricultural SciencesTimothy LyonsS U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

What can ancient rock formations teach us

about possible life in the universe?

Following NASA’s confirmation of evidence that liquid water flows on Mars, the world is

pondering the possibility of life existing on other planets. While a growing number of

exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—have been discovered orbiting other

stars in our galaxy, we are a long way from the technology required to visit them.

Nonetheless, what can we learn from our planet that will inform our exploration of life

in the universe?

To answer that question, an “Alternative Earths” team led by UCR biogeochemist

Timothy Lyons is looking for evidence on Earth to determine how our planet became

habitable. Sharing a $50 million grant from the NASA Astrobiology Institute, the team is

mapping the different states of life on Earth from 3.2 billion years ago—when bacteria

may have first begun oxygen-producing photosynthesis—to about 700 million years

ago, about the time animals came on the scene. As the only planet known to sustain life,

Earth holds the key in determining what might be on Mars or an exoplanet far, far away.

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T E C H N O L O G YFrank Vahid Professor, Computer Science and EngineeringBourns College of Engineering

As the job market becomes increasingly reliant on science and technology skills, students

are struggling to keep up. Faced with outdated, boring material in expensive textbooks, many

students are overwhelmed and underperform in early science, technology, engineering and

mathematics (STEM) college courses and more than half of students don’t achieve their

STEM degrees. There has to be a better way to educate students in STEM fields, preparing

them for success in the classroom and beyond.

Instead of simply putting textbook pages online, computer scientist Frank Vahid created

zyBooks, STEM material native for the web, using “less text and more action.” ZyBooks include

question sets, animations, interactive tools, and embedded homework so students learn by

doing the work. The research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation

and Google. A study found students using zyBooks showed improvement in all aspects of

performance including raising letter grades. Starting with just a few universities in 2012,

zyBooks are now used by over 200 higher education institutions and are expanding to serve

high school curricula in order to earlier engage young minds in STEM studies.

Do online textbooks better equip STEM

students for success?

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In what ways can we improve solar

energy efficiency?

When it comes to installing solar cells, labor cost and the cost of the land to house them

constitute the bulk of the expense. The solar cells—made often of silicon or cadmium

telluride—rarely cost more than 20 percent of the total cost. Solar energy could be

made cheaper if less land had to be purchased to accommodate solar panels, best

achieved if each solar cell could be coaxed to generate more power.

By combining inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals with organic molecules, UCR

chemist Christopher Bardeen has succeeded in “upconverting” photons in the visible

and near-infrared regions of the solar spectrum. This upconverted photon is readily

absorbed by photovoltaic cells, generating electricity from light that normally would be

wasted, boosting solar efficiencies by 30 percent or more.

Professor, ChemistryCollege of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Christopher BardeenT E C H N O L O G Y

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What if the information and feedback we provide online could be used to improve the

healthcare services we receive and tailor them to our preferences? More and more people

are providing reviews of their interactions with healthcare professionals, giving opinions

along with location information and the outcomes they experienced. With expertise in

databases, health informatics, social networks and information retrieval, UCR computer

scientist Vagelis Hristidis wondered if social media data could improve health outcomes for

patients.

Aiming to make the information in databases easily accessible and useful, Hristidis co-

founded SmartDocFinder, a big data-driven service to match patients with healthcare

providers in a personalized manner. In order to deliver tailored recommendations,

SmartDocFinder employs unique data aggregation, machine learning, personality profiling,

and text analytics techniques to extract and combine the right knowledge from a wide range

of data sources, from health outcome metrics to provider reviews, so patients can make

informed decisions about the care they receive.

Can social media provide patients with better healthcare services?

Professor, Computer Science and EngineeringBourns College of EngineeringVagelis Hristidis T E C H N O L O G Y

PARTNER WITH US INVEST IN A SHARED FUTURE

Research and Economic Development (RED)

Through Research and Economic Development (RED), UCR is bringing advanced research from the lab to the marketplace while generating $1.4 billion in economic impacts. In FY 2014-15, we attracted more than $124 million in research funding, including 865 contracts as well as receiving 10 new patents.

Partnership Opportunies

Recruiting — Find our graduates seeking permanent employment opportunities or students looking for internships.

Corporate Sponsored Research and Development— Fast-track your R & D through partnerships with research groups and/or individual faculty on specialized projects tailored to your interests and needs.

Advanced Facilities & Equipment — UCR research labs house a wide variety of advanced equipment which your company may access for a fee.

Philanthropic Investment — Support UCR programs educating the next generation of corporate leaders and receive recognition for supporting UCR.

Specialized Training — UCR provides an array of certificate programs and specialized classes that can be designed to meet your individual needs.

Services — UCR can assist your company in many ways including statistical analysis of data and teaching you to search for prior art in patents.

In the quest for new knowledge, we welcome opportunities to partner with entrepreneurs, philanthropists, businesses, community leaders and fellow research enterprises.

Research Funding Overview CHARTPie Chart of Contract and Grant Awards 2014/15

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64.6%13.8%

8.5%

7.5%4.1%1.5%

Federal$79.5 millionState$9.2 million

Other Government $1.9 million

Industry$10.5 millionNon-Profit$17 million

UC System$5 million

FRANK VAHID Professor, Computer Science/Engineering

When Professor Frank Vahid created textbooks for online use, he didn’t just transfer text into pixels. He created web-based interactive textbook replacements, consisting of hundreds of learning questions, animations, interactive tools, and embedded homework, so students can learn by doing. Dubbed a “zyBook,” it became the central

CHARLES WYMAN Professor, Chemical/Environmental Engineering

Biomass sources such as poplar wood and switchgrass are abundant and renewable because they come from non-food sources. Working in partnership with joint-venture partner MG Fuels, UCR chemical engineer Charles Wyman is pioneering new approaches involving the pretreatment of biomass to soften the plant material so the sugars can be more quickly extracted. Through this collaboration, UCR and MG Fuels are delivering real-world, cost effective solutions to reap profit from bioenergy crops, increasing production of renewable fuels, and protecting the health of the environment. Explore more at www.mgfuels.com

TECH COMMERCIALIZATION SUCCESS STORIES

PHILIPPE ROLSHAUSEN Cooperative Education Assistant Specialist & Assistant Horticulturist

Each year, California grape growers suffer an estimated $260 million in lost profits due to disease-causing pathogens. These fungi colonize the plants after pruning, resulting in wide-spread diebacks and decreased yields. Many other types of fruit and nut trees are similarly affected. To address this challenge, UCR horticulturist Philippe Rolshausen and partners formed Agrobiomics, a company dedicated to creating alternative natural solutions to devastating trunk diseases. Their natural BeeZwax product possesses antimicrobial properties that can be used to seal the trunk wounds caused by pruning, creating a full cycle from bees to trees. Explore more www.agrobiomics.com

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product for Zyante Inc., a company Vahid co-founded in 2012 with software developer Smita Bakshi, a former UC Davis engineering professor. The company received three grants totaling about $1 million from the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovative Research program. Explore more at www.zybooks.com

Michael PazzaniVice Chancellor, Research and Economic Developmentmichael.pazzani@ucr.eduhttp://or.ucr.edu Tel: (951) 827-5535

Rebeccah GoldwareChief of StaffResearch and Economic Development900 University Ave.University Office Building, Ste. 205Riverside, CA 92521goldware@ucr.edu Tel: (951) 827-6411

UCR Office of Research and Economic Developmentwww.or.ucr.edu

UCR Office of Technology Commercializationhttp://or.ucr.edu/otc.aspx

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