News

May 6, 2025: Announcing the 2025 Convene and Influence Awardees (Source)

UC San Diego’s 2025 Strategic Convene and Influence Awards highlight seven groundbreaking initiatives aimed at fostering investigatory-led collaborations that advance area's identified in the university's strategic research themes. Awardees are also notable for addressing interdisciplinary thought leadership and their aims to produce high-impact dissemination tools, including white papers and policy briefs.

These small grants support faculty-led convenings that span disciplines, institutions, and communities, reaffirming UC San Diego’s commitment to inclusive, socially engaged scholarship.

“This year’s awardees are building bridges, reimagining possibilities and advancing UC San Diego’s mission to lead with impact,” said Corinne Peek-Asa, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. “The awarded projects reflect some of the best of UC San Diego, which is bold interdisciplinary thinking grounded in real-world relevance.”

This year’s seven awardees are tackling urgent challenges, including AI ethics, climate careers and border health. The projects continue to fortify UC San Diego’s role as a hub for dialogue, discovery and bringing compelling ideas to life.

The 2025 awardees:

Catalyzing Conversations, Incubating Global Collaborations:  PI: Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, Professor, Sociology; Director, International Institute;  Co-PI: Elana Zilberg, Associate Professor, Communications. Led by the International Institute, this initiative connects faculty members working on themes such as the borderlands, South Asia, and the Arab World. The goal is to build globally focused, interdisciplinary collaborations grounded in cultural and linguistic fluency. By identifying shared research and teaching priorities, the team is laying the foundation for UC San Diego’s next generation of international scholarship.

Convene Community-Engaged Researchers to Establish Best Practices:  PI: Rebecca Fielding-Miller, Associate Professor, Public Health; Co-PI : Abigail Andrews, Professor, Urban Studies and Planning; Director, Center for Comparative Immigration Studies. Through four faculty-community convenings, this project will establish best practices for community-engaged research at UC San Diego. The outcomes—a white paper, multilingual summary, and online resource hub—will help streamline collaboration and ensure that research partnerships are respectful, impactful, and accessible to all.

Co-Creating a Shared Vision for Cross-Border Translational Cancer Research:  PI: Melody K. Schiaffino, Associate Professor in Residence, Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences; Co-PI: Michael Hogarth, Professor, Medicine.  Despite the health interconnectedness of the U.S.-Mexico border region, barriers persist in clinical research. This project, involving UC San Diego, San Diego State University - Imperial Valley and Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC-Mexicali), aims to establish a shared framework for binational translational cancer research by harmonizing policies, co-creating health informatics capacity and setting common goals for translational science.

Good Tech for Good Jobs: Worker Voices in an AI Future:  PI: Lilly Irani, Associate Professor, Communication; Co-PI: Satomi Rash-Zeigler, Executive Director, UC San Diego Labor Center.  With AI reshaping the labor market, this convening places worker experiences at the center. Through a landmark gathering, surveys, and focus groups, the team will produce a white paper and policy roadmap to guide the newly launched UC San Diego Labor Center Good Tech for Good Jobs Initiative, focusing on ethical, inclusive AI in the workplace.

Working Group on Conversational AI for Wellness & Social Support:  PI: Cinnamon Bloss, Director, Center for Empathy and Technology, Public Health; Co-PI: Melissa Karnaze, Assistant Project Scientist, Public Health. As large language and other conversational AI models become tools for mental health and social connection, this group will explore both their promise and their risks. Public workshops featuring experts on diverse aspects of AI, along with a white paper, will offer accessible guidance on how generative AI tools can promote, rather than undermine, mental health and wellness. The interdisciplinary team of investigators includes: David Danks, Professor and Faculty Council Chair, Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute; Christopher Oveis, Associate Professor, Rady School of Management; Gentry Patrick, Director, Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health, Professor of Neurobiology; Desiree Shapiro, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry; and Bradley Voytek, Professor, Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute and Chair, Department of Cognitive Science.

Convene the Climate Action Lab as a Hub for Climate Careers and Education:  PI: Amy Lerner, Associate Teaching Professor, Urban Studies & Planning; Co-PI: Mike Ferry, Director of Energy Storage and Systems, Center for Energy Research. The Climate Action Lab will host events focused on climate justice, adaptation, and mitigation, while preparing students for careers in the climate field. This initiative centers social science perspectives and creates accessible pathways for students across disciplines to explore climate-related opportunities and impact.

Societal Impacts of Artificial Intelligence:  PI: Benjamin Bergen, Professor, Cognitive Science; Co-PIs: Margaret Roberts, Professor, Political Science; Stuart Geiger, Assistant Professor, Communication and HDSI; Haijun Xia, Assistant Professor, Cognitive Science. This initiative will bring together UC San Diego experts and collaborators to address the social, economic, and ethical risks posed by AI. By combining technical innovation with social inquiry, the team will develop strategies and research questions that inform policy, guide public understanding, and ensure AI advances equity and human flourishing.

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April 3, 2025: Faculty Ambassadors Appointed to Drive Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Funding Opportunities (Source)

UC San Diego has appointed five Faculty Ambassadors for 2025 to foster interdisciplinary engagement across campus and help align faculty research with key funding opportunities related to our refreshed Strategic Research Themes. Chosen through a competitive application process open to all faculty, the new Faculty Ambassadors will serve one-year terms, renewable for up to three years.

"As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of research and funding opportunities, our commitment to innovation and excellence remains unwavering,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “The Faculty Ambassadors will play a critical role in helping our researchers both maximize current opportunities and explore new, transformative avenues for discovery. With their leadership within the divisions under the guidance of the Office of Research and Innovation, UC San Diego is poised to build on our legacy of driving world-changing progress."

The Faculty Ambassadors will work closely with stakeholders across the university and play a crucial role in connecting faculty across campus to promote and advance our Refreshed Strategic Plan Research Theme. The ambassadors will develop and coordinate strategies to connect faculty with both internal and external funding opportunities, including research funding  from regional foundations, federal agencies and international organizations.

The ambassadors will also support the dissemination of research findings and collaborate with the Office of Research and Innovation’s (ORI) Research Development team to identify new external funding opportunities

"The Faculty Ambassadors will be at the forefront of fostering collaboration and bridging disciplines, ensuring that our faculty are connected with the right resources and opportunities to address global challenges. Together, we aim to unlock new avenues for innovation, elevate our research impact and address the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Corinne Peek-Asa.

The ambassadors will play a pivotal role in the university’s commitment to creating a more interconnected and dynamic research community at UC San Diego.

Meet the five appointees

Matthew Alford, Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Matthew Alford is an observational ocean physicist focused on developing innovative instruments to study ocean dynamics and their role in climate change. His work, part of the Multiscale Ocean Dynamics group that he co-founded, includes tools like the "Epsi-fish" and "Tall Deep Drift" to study ocean turbulence and undersea wave dynamics, essential for improving climate simulations. His climate change and ocean science research aligns with UC San Diego’s “Conserving the Planet and Exploring the Universe” research theme, which intersects all themes.

Alford leads a $7.5M Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiatives (MURI) project studying ocean flows near the seafloor and their relationship to human activities such as deep sea mining and seafloor cables. Externally, he engages with U.S. government agencies and non-profits promoting climate justice and international climate action efforts. He also secured a Fulbright Canada Science and Technology Chair to foster U.S.-Canada collaboration in science and outreach.

Kiana Aran, Associate Professor, Bioengineering, Jacobs School of Engineering: Kiana Aran’s research integrates microelectronics with biology to revolutionize healthcare, focusing on innovations like the CRISPR chip for real-time genetic mutation detection. Her work aligns with UC San Diego’s strategic themes of "Producing Breakthroughs in Human Health" and "Shaping and Engaging with Technology." Aran’s lab also develops graphene-based biosensors for health diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

Aran is the founder of UC San Diego’s Center for Technologies for Healthy Aging, where she brings together experts in bioengineering, medicine, and industry to address the challenges of aging through innovation. Beyond campus, she actively collaborates with global partners, including BASF (a multinational company and the largest chemical producer in the world), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Gates Foundation through her startups, driving forward the next generation of precision health technologies. She also contributes to shaping the future of science, engineering and medicine as a selected member of the National Academies' New Voices Initiative, where she helps bring early- to mid-career perspectives to national and global policy discussions.

Joshua Figueroa, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Physical Sciences: Joshua Figueroa’s research focuses on synthetic chemistry of inorganic elements, developing advanced methods to tackle challenges in chemical reactivity, bonding and materials science. Figueroa has pioneered synthetic methods for activating greenhouse gases like CO2 and developed novel materials with applications in nanoengineering, catalysis and microelectronics. His work aligns with the themes “Advancing Fundamental Knowledge” and “Shaping and Engaging with Technology” themes.

He collaborates across disciplines, including with the UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, nanoengineering and physics, leading to breakthroughs in nanoparticle binding and battery development. Figueroa also works with industry partners in microelectronics, materials science and biotech as the Director of the UC San Diego X-ray Crystallography Facility since 2017. The core research facility is located within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and extensively engages external industrial partners. Notably, the scientific focus of these partners ranges broadly from small-molecule drugs to inorganic materials to proteins. Figueroa aims to expand these collaborations to continue addressing global technological challenges.

Karen Kovaka, Assistant Professor, Philosophy, School of Arts and Humanities: Karen Kovaka, a member of UC San Diego’s Institute for Practical Ethics, conducts research that explores public participation in science, evidence-based conservation and disagreement in evolutionary biology. Her work aligns with UC San Diego’s research themes of "Conserving the Planet and Exploring the Universe" and "Understanding Cultures and Addressing Disparities in Society." She integrates social science into ecological restoration and addresses epistemic injustice in conservation practices.

Kovaka collaborates with John Evans, a professor of sociology and associate dean of UC San Diego’s School of Social Sciences, on a Hellman Grant project, using surveys to identify public values in ecological decision-making. She also connects UC San Diego researchers with groups that include external partnerships like the Climate Science Alliance and ReWild Mission Bay. Her past work includes community-led citizen science in the Galápagos.

Melody Schiaffino, Associate Professor in Residence, Radiation Medicine and Applied Science, School of Medicine:  Melody Schiaffino, a health services researcher and epidemiologist, conducts research focused on improving cancer care for vulnerable populations using AI, machine learning and biomedical informatics to address disparities in healthcare delivery, especially in border regions. She noted that her research aligns with the university’s stated research focus on "Understanding Cultures and Addressing Disparities in Society" and "Advancing Fundamental Knowledge."

She co-founded and leads the Crossborder Translational Cancer Research Alliance, collaborating with UC San Diego, San Diego State University and Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC)-Mexicali to explore cross-border cancer research. The group has developed research proposals and expanded partnerships with the University of California Los Angeles and City of Hope.

Other notable external partnerships include government, community organizations and industry. For example, Schiaffino serves on the board of the state of California Pan-Ethnic Health Network and collaborates with Chula Vista officials on healthy aging initiatives like improving lung cancer screening for older adults in collaboration with community-based partners such as San Ysidro Health and Serving Seniors.

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April 2, 2025: Lecture at Louisiana Cancer Research Center (Source)

Thursday at noon at the LCRC - Melody Schiaffino, PhD, MPH, will present "Leveraging Informatics to Improve Cancer Care Delivery to Older Adults." Dr. Schiaffino is an Associate Professor, Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences at @UCSD School of Medicine.

December 7, 2024: 2024 MSTAR Students and Mentors (Source)

MSTAR Student: Maryum Haidari, How do Radiation Oncologists Spend their Time? A Time-Motion Story

Mentor: Dr. Melody Schiaffino

The MSTAR program is funded by the National Institute on Aging and has been offered at UC San Diego since 2005. Each year, this popular program provides up to 18 medical students from across the nation an opportunity to conduct 2 to 3 months of summer research guided by the mentorship of a UC San Diego faculty member. Students receive fulltime training conducting hands-on research in an area of personal interest pertaining to aging or an age-related disorder. Additionally, students participate in a variety of clinical activities and didactics that help shape their knowledge base related to aging and teach valuable skills needed to conduct research. Students are provided an opportunity to showcase their work locally and encouraged to travel to the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society to present their findings. 

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October 28, 2024: Dr. Melody K. Schiaffino was selected as a Rising Star to participate in an NIH-funded U13 Bench-to-Bedside Conference Series (Source)

Dr. Melody K. Schiaffino was recently selected as a Rising Star to participate in an NIH-funded U13 Bench-to-Bedside Conference Series on Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, the American Geriatrics Society, and the American College of Cardiology. Participation was by invitation or selection only and Dr. Schiaffino provided her expert input to inform future NIH proposals on cancer and cardiovascular disease in aging populations.

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August 1, 2024: San Diego AD-RCMAR Faculty Announcement - co-authorship in JAGS Diversity in Aging Research Series  (Source)

Congratulations to Melody K. Schiaffino as co-author on the first article of the JAGS Diversity in Aging Research Series! For more information, click here!

December 14, 2023: Bridging the health care gap (Source)

As an immigrant child who arrived in the United States from Mexico not knowing a word of English, USF College of Public Health (COPH) alumna Melody Schiaffino’s early years were marked by challenges and adaptability. 

"I didn't speak any English,” Schiaffino shared. “And before programs for English Language Learners in schools existed, I learned to grasp the language through the support of my compassionate kindergarten teacher.”

This experience exposed Schiaffino to the significance of effective communication, a lesson that continues to guide her work in public health.

Fast forward a few years and multiple grades and Schiaffino’s academic journey brought her to the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in interdisciplinary studies and another in Spanish language and literature. 

When looking at what the next chapter of her academic journey would look like, Schiaffino set her sights far from the cold Missouri weather. But it wasn’t just the warm sunshine that attracted her to USF. Schiaffino initially aspired to become a medical doctor, a dream she held since childhood. However, she said it didn’t take long for her educational journey to take an unexpected turn.

"I realized that I liked the idea of population health and epidemiology, specifically because it gave me a lot more bang for my buck. It let me affect greater groups of people, and as an immigrant, I felt the more I could do to help, the better." 

Schiaffino graduated in 2008 with a master’s in epidemiology with a certification in biostatistics because she said she really likes analysis and methodological thinking, although it wasn’t part of her original plan in public health. 

“I initially started as global health, but epidemiology just kept sucking me in,” she said. “I feel like life has a way of landing us in places that we couldn't have planned better ourselves.”

She decided to further her studies with a PhD in health services research at the University of Florida in 2014, where she explored the complex web of factors contributing to health disparities and inequities.

“My dissertation was about language in Florida’s hospitals,” Schiaffino said. “The idea was how to support our bilingual people who may not have formally learned their native tongue in school in their home country.”

Today, Schiaffino lives in California and has combined all her experiences and learning into the multiple roles she now holds. “I wear many hats,” she said. 

Schiaffino is a tenured faculty member and an associate professor at San Diego State University's School of Public Health. She is also the youngest associate director  for equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Moores  Comprehensive Cancer Center. And recently, Schiaffino served as a visiting faculty member in the College of Medicine that's attached to the UCSD Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

In these roles, Schiaffino said she is actively working to promote equitable practices in health care.“All of these roles work to improve equity, inclusion and access for low- income and minoritized Californians,” she said. “Being in these positions, I have an opportunity to really move the needle in that respect. It's a tremendous honor and I'm really excited.”

Schiaffino said her work on language diversity in health care has led to two main projects that she is currently working on. “The Legacy Speakers project aims to harness the potential of bilingual individuals, particularly legacy speakers, to improve diversity in clinical trials,” she said. “My research also encompasses cancer and aging, focusing on identifying age-related risk factors in medical records through Artificial Intelligence.”

Schiaffino said her research has the potential to bridge the gap in treatment planning for older adults, particularly those with limited English proficiency.

“What ends up happening is that older adults, especially those who can't communicate, are either undertreated or overtreated,” she said. “For example, the patient could be a healthy older adult, and they could actually take the full dose of treatment as regimented. Or, it could be communicated that the patient has some comorbidities and we should space out the treatments or make some modifications so that the patient isn’t overtreated, because then that could lead to some major adverse events.”

For the future, Schiaffino’s looks to the programs she is involved in piloting. 

“One of my big driving goals is to do geriatric oncology at UCSD’s Center of Excellence, but fully focused on limited English proficient and refugee populations, who are some of our highest risk groups.”

Looking back at her academic years at the COPH, Schiaffino said the connections she fostered at the college still touch her today.  

“I have so many people I'm still in touch with,” she said. “I think the connections that I made in the COPH program are probably some of the strongest. I still keep in touch with many of those folks.”

Schiaffino said the accreditation and rigor of the COPH program made a real impact as well.  “Even today, as I teach in a public health program and MPH program, I've used the COPH as a standard bearer of rigor for my students. I felt well prepared as a result of my experience and I want the same for those I teach,” she said.

And she’s not stopping at helping only patients. Schiaffino has set her sights on being a beacon for others who are like her. “I want to encourage fellow Latinas and underrepresented researchers,” Schiaffino said. “It is important to find the right mentors and believe in your own potential. As a single parent and being a Latina faculty, it is a major accomplishment for me and many Latino faculty to exist in the roles I have within a university setting.”

Fast Five:

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?   Definitely a doctor.

Where would we find you on the weekend?   In my garden or taking my dogs to the beach or watching Korean dramas. 

What is the last book you read?   “The Lady Tasting Tea,” by David Salsburg. 

What superpower would you like to have?   The ability to eat and not gain weight, or being able to sense where people are coming from, especially if they're grumpy.

What is your all-time favorite movie?   “The Breakfast Club” and “The Princess Bride”

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December 3, 2023: Geriatrics, Gerontology & Palliative Care Grand Rounds (Source)

The UC San Diego Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology & Palliative Care hosts a monthly Grand Rounds. This series takes place every 1st Tuesday of the month from 12:00–1:00 p.m. On December 5, 2023, Dr. Melody Schiaffino, PhD, MPH presented "The State of the Science on the Delivery of Cancer Care to Diverse Older Adults"

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June 21, 2023: Melody K. Schiaffino, PhD, MPH, Named Inaugural Moores Cancer Center, Associate Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Source)

Dr. Melody Schiaffino is a health services researcher and epidemiologist who specializes in health disparities as they relate to population health, health services delivery, and quality outcomes.  

Dr. Schiaffino brings extensive experience in the study of care delivery to vulnerable populations, which combines geographic, complex population-based survey, and massive administrative data. Her current research builds on data science, information, technology, and culturally-congruent methodology to improve outcomes for diverse older adults with cancer. She has successfully developed cross-university, -discipline, and -industry collaborations to ensure representation and inclusion in her lab and research. 

Dr. Schiaffino currently serves on the inaugural National Institute of Aging Research Centers for Minority Aging Research (NIA-RCMAR) Scientist Advisory Board, which supports the next generation of diverse aging researchers. In addition, she is former Fellow of the Program to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) Scholars for Research in Implementation Science and Equity (RISE) at UCSF. 

Dr. Schiaffino is an an Associate Member of Moores Cancer Center (MCC) and a Visiting Researcher in Radiation Oncology in the laborator of Dr. James Murphy at the UCSD, School of Medicine, where she serves as Assistant Clinical Professor in both the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care and the Division of Radiation Medicine, where she also serves on the faculty of the Center for Health Equity, Education, and Research (CHEER). 

Dr. Schiaffino’s research has been published in high-impact journals, such as Health Affairs and the Journal of Infectious Diseases, and she has presented at the National Institutes of Health. In 2022, she was selected to serve on a panel of national experts to update the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: ASCO Guideline for Geriatric Oncology.  

As the MCC Associate Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dr. Schiaffino will be responsible for fostering an inclusive and anti-racist environment for all members and employees of the Center by providing leadership to carry out a focused mission, vision, and strategy for DEI that aligns with the MCC Strategic Plan and DEI initiatives of UC San Diego Health, UC San Diego Health Sciences, and the larger UC San Diego campus.

March 28, 2022: DCARG Spotlight: Dr. Melody Schiaffino, A Journey Through Mentorship (Source)

Melody K. Schiaffino, PhD, MPH, has recently been awarded a Research Scientist Development Award (K01) grant from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) for her project “Improving Age-Related Risk Assessment and Documentation for Diverse Older Adults with Cancer.” The 5-year grant will confer up to $700,000 for Dr. Schiaffino to investigate the prevalence of age-related risk assessment and documentation, with the long-term goal of informing and redesigning existing processes of care delivery to improve cancer care delivery for diverse older adults.

An assistant professor at the School of Public Health at San Diego State University, Dr. Schiaffino has been a CARG member since 2019 and is currently a Member of the CARinG Junior Investigator Board and the Analytics Core. As she related in a recent presentation to CARG members in February 2022, her journey with CARG began when she first met Dr. Alison Moore in 2017, who inspired her to connect her cancer care work with aging research, as well as introducing her to Dr. Arti Hurria later that year.

Dr. Schiaffino was one of the last mentees Dr. Hurria took under her wing, before Dr. Hurria tragically passed away in 2018. Drs. William Dale and Supriya Mohile simultaneously reached out to Dr. Schiaffino, and both offered to serve as her mentors. Amid all the uncertainty, “it was a tremendous moment for me as a mentee and one I will never forget,” Dr. Schiaffino says. Since then, “William and I continued to work together since our research and geography aligned but Supriya has continued to play a significant role in my growth as an incredible woman, scientist, mentor and so much more I hope to emulate one day.”

Among many sources of support, her partnership with Dr. Dale, support from CARG mentors, and feedback from the CARG network at large have been instrumental in her research trajectory. This has been especially true with her application for the NIA K01 grant. Through her interactions with CARG, Dr. Schiaffino became focused on cancer treatments for diverse older adults, and sought to pursue this through a NIH K01 grant. But she knew very well the obstacles that she would face. “As a non-clinician there are challenges you face with your research – including staying true to your work and area given the competing challenges,” Dr. Schiaffino says. “As a disparities researcher, it becomes an even bigger challenge.” Her first submission in October 2019 garnered a strong impact score but was not funded.

With Dr. Dale’s help, and especially a presentation to the CARinG Health Services Core in June 2021, the detailed feedback she received helped her refine her second K01 application, which was resubmitted and finally granted the K01 award in Spring 2022. Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Schiaffino is extremely grateful for the guidance she received from her mentors and from CARG.

As mentorship has been key to the success of her K01 application, it’s no surprise that Dr. Schiaffino herself serves as a mentor to many students through SDSU’s Faculty-Student Mentoring Program. “Find the right mentorship team,” she reminds us, “They are your knowledge base, your cheerleaders, and will help you get past a hard time. You can do what you love and get a K! Think very hard about the training you will need and find the right people, [and] ask for a lot of feedback.”

April 14, 2014: Melody Schiaffino to be inducted into UF’s Hall of Fame 2014 (Source)

Melody K. Schiaffino, PhD, MPH, has recently been awarded a Research Scientist Development Award (K01) grant from the National Institute of Since 1921, UF Hall of Fame recognized seniors and graduate students who have consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the University of Florida through campus and community involvement, participation in organized campus activities, and scholastic achievement. We are proud to announce that out of 99 applicants, our very own Melody Schiaffino will be inducted as 1 out of 23 new members for the 2014 Hall of Fame. Her dedication and hard work in the development of “PhD Moms”, a graduate student organization for students that are moms completing a doctoral degree, will only aid in the continued growth of such an amazing organization. Congratulations once again!