Graduate education highlighted in campus visit
August 18, 2009
by Rizza Barnes - Graduate Division
Acting Graduate Dean Frances Leslie, Legislative Assistant Danica Dawson, and students Shane Stephens-Romero and Maria Parente.
As part of her UC Irvine campus visit Wednesday, Washington, D.C.-based Legislative Assistant Danica Dawson met with UC Irvine Acting Graduate Dean Frances Leslie and two UCI Public Impact Fellows to discuss the importance of doctoral research.
“Doctoral students are the heart and soul of our campus,” said Leslie, a professor of pharmacology who currently supervises six graduate students in her lab. “They help faculty in everything they do.”
Dawson serves as education advisor to Congressman John Campbell, whose district includes such cities as Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and Lake Forest.
Shane Stephens-Romero, a doctoral student in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, presented his research on the use of hydrogen as an alternative to gasoline. Meanwhile, Maria Parente, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Education, discussed her examination of child and adolescent unsupervised time outside of school.
Both areas of research have the potential to influence future legislation, noted Kathy Eiler, director of advocacy and government relations, who coordinated the visit.
“Our graduate students produce work that has significant public impact,” Leslie added. “They are critical to the faculty’s success and truly are the future of California.”
Dawson also toured the National Fuel Cell Research Center and met with Michael Martinez, vice chair and professor in the Department of Education; Ellen Schlosser, director of Global Connect @ UCI; Jon Gilwee, senior director of government healthcare programs; and Jacob Levin, assistant vice chancellor of research development.
