Annual UCI MRSEC Workshop to Review the Center Progress

On March 13 – 14, 2023, CCAM held an in-person two-day MRSEC workshop at the UCI Beall Applied Innovation Center. This event was held in conjunction with the External Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB) meeting, inviting ESAB members to attend the meeting and fully engage with Center participants.

On Day 1, CCAM’s director, Xiaoqing Pan, presented the MRSEC program overview. CCAM faculty had the opportunity to present their work on a wide range of research projects in different IRG/Seed theme sessions regarding the interfacial science of complex concentrated materials and investigation of synthetic self-assembly system including supramolecular peptides. Board members were able to interact with faculty through Q&A.

Following, CCAM graduate students and postdocs from IRGs and Seed program held a poster session where they shared their work on synthesis and characterization and technique development for the discovery of materials with novel functionalities.

On Day 2, our Center’s education director, Regina Ragan, reviewed CCAM’s education and outreach program, and provided updates on the diversity plan. ESAB members gave plenary speeches on two innovative science topics – “Exploring the Physics, Material Science & Biological Implications of Polyelectrolyte Complexation” and “Ultra-Low-Voltage, Beyond CMOS Microelctronic”.

After the workshop, board members met for an open dialogue with JRFs separately for a network/career development session, discussed the outcome from the workshop with the Center’s steering committee, and toured various key facilities at UCI.

Overall, the workshop was a huge success with 40-50 participants attending. The date of next year’s CCAM workshop is to be determined.