News Archive - All Stories

Pioneering Physiologist Establishes Endowed Chair at UC San Diego School of Medicine

Physiologist John B. West, M.D., Ph.D., can claim many firsts during his career at the University of California San Diego. He was one of the first faculty members hired at the School of Medicine, in 1969. He was the first to take physiological measurements at the summit of Mt. Everest—a dataset that has yet to be replicated. He wrote the textbook, now in its 10th edition, used to teach respiratory physiology to medical students around the world. And he was one of the first to study the effects of gravity on the lung, collaborating with NASA on studies of astronauts in space. To continue his legacy and ensure future support for research and teaching in his field, West has made a $2 million gift to establish the John B. West Endowed Chair in Respiratory Physiology, the campus’s first endowed faculty chair in Respiratory Physiology. His gift contributes to the Campaign for UC San Diego.

Happy Founders Day UC San Diego

The year was 1960. John F. Kennedy was elected president, “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published and the U.S. launched satellite Transit-1B into space, ushering in a new era in navigation technology. One other pivotal event happened that year—the University of California San Diego was officially established on Nov. 18 as the seventh campus in the UC system.

Teaming up with the Padres on STEM

As manager of the Simulation Training Center at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dudek uses high-tech manikins (or patient simulators) like Bobby to mimic the verbal and physical symptoms of a disease, such as irregular heart rhythms, difficulty breathing, sweating and bleeding. Medical students and residents do a lot of their clinical training this way—working in small teams to spot and interpret symptoms, and take the correct course of action to help the “patient.”

Wildfire Watch

According to CalFire, the State of California has experienced nearly 6,500 fires since the start of the year. This marks a 40 percent increase over the same period in 2016. With a longer fire season becoming the new norm, wildfires are a growing hazard facing the entire state.

NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Orbits Back to Scripps for Campus Visit

Jessica Meir is one of a few scientists and UC San Diego alumni who also hold the prestigious title of NASA astronaut. Meir obtained her Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2009. Last week, she returned to her alma mater to serve as keynote speaker for Blue Tech Week, an event led by the Maritime Alliance. The event that attracted more than 400 participants from academia, finance, government, industry, and the military to focus on the theme of "Smart Ocean, Smart Water."

Renowned Surgeons Launch Acoustic Neuroma Program at UC San Diego Health

UC San Diego Health has expanded its treatment of rare brain tumors by launching a specialized program in the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas and complex skull base tumors. The new program will be led by Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, and Marc Schwartz, MD, internationally recognized authorities on the effective treatment of these challenging cases. Patients are currently being accepted into the program.

Scripps Scientists Use Photomosaic Technology to Find Order in the Chaos of Coral Reefs

Scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego developed new technology to study coral reefs, by creating detailed 3D photomosaics and software that allows researchers to digitally classify corals. A new study in Coral Reefs used this technology to analyze the reef at Palmyra Atoll, where researchers made discoveries around coral spatial ecology.