December 2018

Dear Colleagues:

One of my primary goals is to support our people by optimizing our resources. Targeted communications help to ensure that everyone knows what resources and opportunities are available and who they need to contact.

As we enter 2019, I encourage your feedback to contribute to and build value into this newsletter so that it meets the interests and needs of our multi-faceted research community. This newsletter is a collaborative effort, and I appreciate hearing your ideas and thoughts.

You have my gratitude for all that you do at UCSF in the name of research, and your hard work contributes to our tradition of excellence and discovery.

With my best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Vice Chancellor Lindsey Criswell


Parnassus Research in Progress Series (RIPS)

RIPS is an ongoing schedule of Tuesday talks featuring two trainees from across UCSF labs and schools, with the aim of bringing researchers together at the Parnassus campus. Please contact Tiffany Criger for updates and to be added to the listserv.


The UCSF Freezer Initiative

UCSF is conducting a campus-wide inventory of -80°C Ultra-low Temperature freezers to safeguard up to one billion dollars in research materials from natural disasters and power outages (see September ReSearch ReSource). This inventory project is one component of a broader ten-part freezer project initiative and is a joint effort by the Office of Research and Supply Chain Management. Accurate, comprehensive inventory and organization ensure that freezers are effectively and efficiently used, maintained, allocated, and accounted for in a central information system, to the benefit of the UCSF research community.

The project lead is Research Commodities Manager Dean Shehu. His goal is to personally meet with up to 30 UCSF labs to gather information about their cold storage needs. This multi-pronged effort will help raise expertise, balance access to resources for all labs, and move UCSF closer to its sustainability goals. More details online.


Upcoming Events:

  • In the Mix 4The ongoing faculty mixer between San Francisco State University (SFSU) and UCSF will feature a talk from Dr. Nina S. Roberts (SFSU) about community-engaged research and is meant to actively encourage cross-disciplinary engagement. January 10 from 5-7 p.m. in the Parnassus Library Lange Room.
  • Parnassus Campus “Lightning Talks”This is a recurring forum for researchers to hear updates on the Parnassus Rejuvenation. The format is informal, with a 5-10 minute presentation followed by open discussion to generate ideas and answer questions. January 15 from 5-6 p.m. on Parnassus in HSW-1057.
  • Marcus Symposium 2 – A celebratory event showcasing research from past Marcus Award recipients as well as fostering opportunity for faculty networking toward new collaborative research efforts. January 29 from 3-5 p.m. at the Mission Bay Oberndorf Auditorium.
  • 2019 Byers Lecture in Basic Science – The Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research invites you to this year’s event featuring 2019 Byers Award recipient Hana El-Samad, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. January 31 from 4-6 p.m. at Mission Bay Byers Auditorium.

Research Funding Opportunities:


Infrastructure and Operations:

  • OnCore Upgrade in December!OnCore (Clinical Trials Management System) has been upgraded this month and features improvements around Part 11 compliance and system performance as well as reporting and functionality for invoicing.
  • IRB Regulations Changing in January!Changes to human research regulations take effect January 21. Keep a lookout for informative bulletins from the IRB about how the changes affect UCSF researchers.

Training and Tools:

  • Designing Individual-Level Implementation StrategiesOnline course now enrolling for Winter 2019. Learn to apply widely used behavior change theories and implementation science frameworks to understand determinants of behavior, and develop targeted interventions to facilitate the uptake of evidence into practice and community health. Register by December 20.
  • Program Evaluation in Clinical and Public Health SettingsOnline course now enrolling for Winter 2019. This course will familiarize participants with approaches to evaluating an evidence-informed health program or intervention implemented in a clinical or public health setting. Register by December 20.
  • Training in Clinical Research Multiple courses now enrolling for Winter 2019. Open to students, residents, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff. Apply by December 21. Courses begin January 7.
  • Master’s Degree Program in Clinical ResearchA two-year course of study intended for scholars who wish to master clinical and epidemiologic research methods and pursue independent careers in clinical and epidemiologic research. Apply by March 18.

Useful Links:

  • Bakar ImmunoXInfrastructure for sharing technology and findings across fields, disciplines, and geographies via a series of CoLabs and CoProjects.
  • CTSIPrograms, services, and training for research spanning from early translational research to community engagement.
  • HRPPIRB, Quality Improvement Unit (QIU), and GESCR updates and resources.
  • Innovation VenturesExpertise and resources to transform innovation into impact and translate scientific discoveries for public use and benefit.
  • MATLABA computational platform for engineering, scientific, and mathematic applications.
  • NIH Updates Updates on policies, resources, and guide notices relevant to UCSF researchers.
  • RABAn advisory forum promoting dialogue between UCSF leadership and the research community.
  • RAPAn intramural grant program that provides coordinated, collaborative effort among UCSF funding opportunities.
  • RDOServices and resources for UCSF research development.
  • RRPSupport and services for cores and shared resource laboratories.