DEM Monthly Snapshot

Monthly Snapshot

April 2023 | Edited by: Meredith Lew Tan

Power Outage Day

Thank you to everyone who responded to the events following the building power outage on March 22. Because of your efforts, the loss of materials and samples in our freezers were kept to a minimum.

A special shoutout goes to Vanessa York for her leadership and expertise throughout the day. She responded immediately late Tuesday night when the power went out and arrived before 6 AM on Wednesday to provide emergency power to as many freezers as possible. Her knowledge of the building, coordination skills, and quick-thinking in a crisis is truly admirable.

We would also like to recognize the UCSF Emergency Response team for their fantastic support and ability to mitigate the situation. They delivered a massive shipment of dry ice, which was able to help maintain the integrity of our samples.

World TB Day

This year’s World TB Day symposium was held at the Oberndorf Auditorium Mission Bay Campus as well as online on Friday, March 24th, 2023. Members of the UCSF Center for TB, including DEM investigators, were part of the organizing and oversight committees for the program. The theme for this year was “The many faces of the TB community: partnership between patients, researchers, and advocates”. The program focused on decolonization, early-stage investigators, TB survivors and their experiences, TB public health in the US and globally, especially from TB-endemic settings, and 3-minute abstract competition to present scientific projects using accessible language to the public.

A major highlight was a presentation by 'Tay-Tay', a TB survivor and advocate, who presented her inspiring journey with TB and HIV care. Janice Louie, and the unsung heroes of the San Francisco TB clinic presented the persisting grim realities of TB patient care locally in California. The day ended on a positive note to prioritize gaps in TB care as research priorities and fundraise to support TB care in the clinic.

Announcements

Treatment Action Group (TAG) Webinar

Sara Suliman will be speaking at a TAG Webinar for TB Vaccine Development. Click here for additional information.

Chancellor's Leadership Forum on Diversity & Inclusion

Chancellor’s Leadership Forum on Diversity & Inclusion: Save the date and register for this year’s virtual event (15th annual forum) scheduled for Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 12:00–1:15 pm. The forum offers a platform for community members to hear from senior leadership on diversity initiatives at UCSF. This year’s program will feature updates from the Anti-Racism Initiative including efforts to respond to the results of the UCSF Climate Survey.

2023 Chancellor's Diversity Award: Nominate a colleague for this award that recognizes the outstanding efforts of individuals who demonstrate a strong dedication to diversity. Individuals recognized are leaders and pioneers in their respective fields and to the communities they serve.

UCSF Discount - SF Giants Games

Oracle Park is offering UCSF discounted tickets to all SF Giants games through April, May, and June. Select the game and seating area of your choice and save 10% off. The best seats are auto-assigned when added to cart. Click here to buy ticket

Junior Scientist Seminar Series

There is a seminar series and networking event exclusively for early-career researchers (pre-doctoral school). This is a career development opportunity for junior scientists to practice presenting scientific research in a supportive environment. Click here for more information

UCSF COVID-19 Policy Updates

Food and drinks are permitted when at 50% occupancy staff are present together in in-door, non-clinical areas. Masking is optional in non-clinical settings.

ZRAB Updates

Tentative Move Dates

Office spaces will move one week prior to the wet lab moves. Keep in mind that these are tentative as we work to address space issues and equipment placement.

July 17^th BSL3

July 20^th BSL2*

August 14^th Javid, Suliman, Ernst, and Feeney Labs

August 15^th -DEM Common equipment

August 16^th CIL

August 17^th Rutishauser, Hunt, and Henrich Labs

UCSF ID Badges

Any UCSF ID badge with a black magnetic stripe on the back will need to be replaced. Click here for additional information.

ZRAB Building Orientation Tours

Click here to sign up for a tour. If you sign up in April, please remember to wear boots/hiking boots. Other protective equipment will be provided. Vanessa will be leading the following tours:

Tuesday April 25^th 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Wednesday April 26^th 9am-11am
Thursday April 27^th 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Friday April 28^th 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm
May 2^nd 1-3pm

Q&A Sessions with VOC Associates

Session 1 Tuesday April 11 12:00-1:00PM

Passcode: 093805

Session 2 Wednesday April 12 8:30-9:30AM

Passcode: 658800

Session 3 Wednesday April 26 12:00-1:00PM

Passcode: 180100

Session 4 Thursday April 27 2:00-3:00PM

Passcode: 213980

Letter to UCSF Leadership

A group of UCSF researchers, with strong representation from the DEM, delivered and read a letter to the Office of the Chancellor to send a message about the negligent plans to move ZSFG labs into inadequate space. This message was also sent via email to members of UCSF leadership. This action was an important step in ensuring that ZSFG researchers are afforded the same rights as colleagues on other campuses.

Staffing Updates

Departures