RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Students at UC Riverside have a distinct advantage in the multitude of opportunities available for participating in faculty research programs. Independent participation in such research helps students develop technical skills, explore areas of modern research, and learn how the world of research operates. In addition, working with faculty members gives students the opportunity to interact closely with professors, who, in turn, get to know the students.

To participate in undergraduate research opportunities on campus, students can:

• • Check out the college and multicampus research opportunities listed

below and visit ucr.edu/research.html for other opportunities

• • Explore the undergraduate research opportunities portal at ssp.ucr.edu.

• • Examine research-specific Web sites posted by colleges and departments

• • Contact departmental advisors directly

• • See the Internship Program under Career Center in the Services for

Students section in this catalog

California Center for Native Nations Director: Michelle Raheja, Ph.D. 2006 Humanities and Social Sciences Building

• (951) 827-1799

michelle.raheja@ucr.edu; ccnn.ucr.edu

Provides opportunities for research collaborations with California’s native peoples and other Indian tribes that benefit tribal communities and expand scholarly knowledge. As UCR is a neighbor to more than 30 tribes in the surrounding area, the center particularly supports interdisciplinary and culturally sensitive research in collaboration with these communities.

Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research Director: Brian Geiger, Ph.D., MLS INTN M1006

• (951) 827-5841; fax (951) 827-4120

cbsr.ucr.edu

Supports research and publication in bibliography and the history of the book. It manages five internationally renowned programs.

• • The English Short Title Catalog (ESTC) records every item published

in Great Britain and any British governed territories from the beginning of printing (1473) through the end of the eighteenth century. The catalog is searchable free of cost via the British Library at estc.bl.uk.

• • The California Newspaper Project (CNP) records surviving issues of

all newspapers published in California, freely available for searching at the cnp.ucr.edu.

• • The California Newspaper Microfilm Archive (CNMA) preserves and

stores approximately 100,000 reels of California newspaper microfilm from 1846 to the present. Accessible at cnma.ucr.edu.

• • The California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC) is a text-searchable

collection of more than 550,000 pages of digitized California newspapers from 1848 to the present. Accessible at cdnc.ucr.edu.

• • Un Catálogo Colectivo de Impresos Latinoamericanos hasta 1900

(CCILA) is a comprehensive union catalog of Latin American imprints through 1900. Searchable at ccila.ucr.edu.

Center for Family Studies Director: Nancy Guerra, Ph.D. Olmsted Hall, Third Floor 951 827-6421; Nancy.guerra@ucr.edu; chass.ucr.edu/centers/cfs

Focuses on significant advances in family theory, research, and application requiring an interdisciplinary perspective and intra- and cross-cultural approaches to family issues. Represents anthropology, education, history, sociology, and psychology.

Center for Ideas and Society Director: Georgia Warnke, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Political Science College Building South

• (951) 827-1555; fax (951) 827-6377;

ideasandsociety.ucr.edu

The Center for Ideas and Society is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing humanistic studies and creativity at UC Riverside. The Center’s fellowships, research workshops, and public events strengthen the intellectual and creative life of the university. The center is committed to disseminating the results of its programs to the Riverside community and beyond.

The center also houses the Institute for the Study of Immigrant Religions and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program.

Institute for Research on World-Systems Director: Christopher Chase-Dunn, Ph.D. 4111 Interdisciplinary Building South

• (951) 827-2062;

chriscd@ucr.edu; irows.ucr.edu

Organizes collaborative research among social, biological, and physical scientists on long-term, large-scale social change and its ecological, geographical and climatological causes and effects. Research foci include globalization; global inequalities; transnational social movements; urbanization and settlement systems; biotechnology and hegemony; the rise and fall of cities, states, and empires; and climate change.

Botanic Gardens Director: Jodie S. Holt, Ph.D.

• (951) 784-6962;

bgdirector@ucr.edu

Consists of more than 40 acres of gardens along the eastern boundary of the campus. The landscaped areas around campus buildings demonstrate the use of a wide assortment of plants that grow well in the inland area of Southern California. Established for teaching purposes, the Botanic Gardens provide plant materials for anthropology, art, biology, botany, conservation, ecology, entomology, morphology, ornamental horticulture, plant pathology, photography, and taxonomy. They also provide plant materials for research projects and for the testing and exhibition of plant species introduced from all parts of the world.

Center for Conservation Biology Director: G. Darrel Jenerette, Ph.D. darrel.jenerette@ucr.edu; ccb.ucr.edu

Supports the conservation and restoration of species and ecosystems by facilitating the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of scientific information. The center identifies new and existing research priorities in conservation biology and inaugurates new research programs. Many activities of the center are regional, centered on the diverse species and habitats that form the natural heritage of Southern California.

Center of Nano-Scale Electronics, Phenomena, and Technology Director: Chun Ning (Jeanie) Lau, Ph.D. jeanie.lau@ucr.edu

The Center of Nano-Scale Electronics, Phenomena, and Technology (CONSEPT) focuses on exploring novel electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical phenomena that emerge in nanoscale systems, and exploiting these phenomena for next-generation devices and systems. Researchers explore novel materials such materials as graphene, carbon nanotubes, magnetic systems, and topological insulators as well as nanomechanical systems and chemical and biological sensing.

Center for Invasive Species Research Director: Mark Hoddle, Ph.D.

• (951) 827-4714;

mark.hoddle@ucr.edu; cisr.ucr.edu

Entomologists, botanists, biologists, nematologists, and plant pathologists from UCR head collaborative efforts with other UC scientists as well as with state and federal government researchers to define and implement critical research on pests introduced into California that present risks to public health, urban environmental quality, natural resources, managed and unmanaged ecosystems, and economically important plants.

Institute for Integrative Genome Biology Director: Katayoon (Katie) Dehesh, Ph.D. Genomics Building genomics.ucr.edu

Supports faculty in diverse disciplines participating in genomics-related research, which has enormous potential for applications to improve human health, agricultural sustainability, and the environment. Contains advanced technology in DNA sequencing, microarray construction and analysis, visual microscopy, bioinformatics, and proteomics. Encompasses the following two centers.

Center for Infectious Disease and Vector Research Director: Karine Le Roch, Ph.D. karinel@ucr.edu; cdvr.ucr.edu

The mission of the Center for Infectious Disease and Vector Research is to develop and implement technologies that will alleviate the medical and economic burden exacted by infectious diseases and vector-borne diseases in human and plants. The Center achieves this through cross-disciplinary research by combining expertise in molecular biology, nanotechnology, gene silencing and genomics-based sciences. Our goal is to provide practical solutions within therapeutic and economic time frames.

Center for Plant Cell Biology Director: Julia Bailey-Serres, Ph.D. cepceb.ucr.edu

An interdisciplinary research center uniting plant cell and molecular biologists with computational scientists, engineers, bioengineers, chemists, and nanoscientists in cutting-edge plant systems-based research aimed at understanding and manipulating complex processes at the molecular and cellular levels in the context of the whole organism. A hub for research on plant stress responses, developmental biology, and epigenetic mechanisms and the application of chemical and synthetic biology. Projects range from basic discoveries to the translation of knowledge to agriculture and human biology. Center for Integrative Biological Collections Director: Christiane Weirauch, Ph.D. cibc.ucr.edu

The mission of the Center for Integrative Biological Collections is to advance research and teaching in biodiversity and to provide support for the management of natural resources by fostering an interdepartmental alliance among UCR’s world-class natural history collections. This is accomplished through integrated and transformative approaches across UCR collections that leverage novel systems in communication, relational databases, data mining, geo-referencing, outreach, and advocacy.

Statistical Consulting Collaboratory Director: Zhiwei Zhang Ph.D. 1337 Olmsted Hall

• (951) 827-6002

zhiwei.zhang@ucr.edu; collaboratory.ucr.edu

Provides statistical consulting services in areas including bioinformatics, agricultural field trials, health studies, ecological studies, entomological studies, sociological studies, marketing studies, industrial experiments, quality and reliability studies, and product and process development studies. Clients include the campus research community and off-campus agencies from all disciplines who use statistics. The collaboratory develops collaborative research relationships as well as research publications. It also provides financial support and consulting experiences to UCR undergraduate and graduate students.

Stem Cell Center Director: Prudence Talbot, Ph.D.

• (951) 827-5689;

stemcells@ucr.edu; stemcells.ucr.edu

Focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms that control stem cell function and deciphering how the tremendous potential of stem cells can be used to improve human health. Researchers at the center have expertise in many different fields including developmental biology, cancer biology, endocrinology, biomaterials for tissue regeneration, micro/nanotechnologies to control differentiation, neuroscience, toxicology, skeletal tissue repair, endothelial cell differentiation, osteogenesis, differentiation of microglia, brain development, neural crest cell differentiation, and bioengineering.

USDA-ARS U.S. Salinity Laboratory Acting Director, Todd Skaggs, Ph.D. 450 West Big Springs Road Riverside, CA 92507

• (951) 369-4815;

ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=53102000

The only research facility in the nation devoted to the study and amelioration of salinity-related agricultural and environmental problems.

Center for Bioengineering Research Director: Jerome S. Schultz, Ph.D. A220 Bourns Hall

• (951) 827-2111; fax (951) 827-6416;

engr.ucr.edu/CBR.html

The Center for Bioengineering Research partners the Department of Bioengineering faculty with other UC Riverside engineering and science departments. Focal areas include cellular control and regulation, biophotonics and medical laser applications, in-silico biosystems and biomolecular modeling, bio-nanotechnology, microfluidics for bioanalyses, rational drug design and high throughput screening. College of Engineering–Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) Director: Matthew Barth, Ph.D. 1084 Columbia Avenue Riverside, CA 92507

• (951) 781-5791; fax (951) 781-5790

info@cert.ucr.edu; cert.ucr.edu

A model for partnerships among industry, government, and the academic community, CE-CERT is one of California’s premier facilities for research into air quality, transportation, and energy efficiency. The research mission includes transportation systems, emissions and fuels, renewable energy, environmental modeling and policy, and atmospheric processes.

Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) Interim Director, Dr. Alexander Balandin balandinece.ucr.edu; www.cnse.ucr.edu

Engineers, physicists, computer scientists, neuroscientists, biologists, chemists, and biomedical scientists explore nanoscale materials, such as organic compounds, carbon nanotubes, and magnetic materials, for use in nanoelectronics, spintronics, sensors, and biomedical devices to develop new or improved technologies. The center is jointly funded and administered by the Bourns College of Engineering and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Center for Research in Intelligent Systems (CRIS) Director: Bir Bhanu, Ph.D. Engineering II, Room 216

• (951) 827-3954; fax (951) 827-2425;

cris.ucr.edu

Promotes interdisciplinary research for developing computer systems that are flexible, adaptive, and intelligent. Involves an interdisciplinary team of faculty from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Psychology, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, and Management. The goal is the research and development of autonomous/ semiautonomous systems with sensing capabilities that can communicate and interact with other intelligent (biological and artificial) systems.

Winston Chung Global Energy Center Co-Director: Nosang Myung, Ph.D. Co-Director: Sadrul Ula, Ph.D. Main Campus: Materials Science & Engineering Building, Room 204 Off Campus: 1084 Columbia Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

• (951) 781-5676

The Winston Chung Global Energy Center (WCGEC) will advance solutions for today’s energy storage demands, while developing far-sighted energy storage research and energy-use strategies for tomorrow’s applications. Bridging the gap between industry and academia, the center will contribute to the economic, social and environmental health of communities around the world. This innovative center will:

• • Foster a premier academic environment of research and discovery in

sustainable energy, with a focus on storage issues;

• • Educate a diverse and distinguished engineering workforce that is dedicated

to addressing global energy needs;

• • Offer tools and training that will increase the capacity of public and private

planners, architects, engineers, utilities and developers to design and build energy-efficient community projects;

• • Reach out to global organizations and businesses as a partner in fostering

clean energy storage solutions; and

• • Inspire leadership and community action to address energy storage issues

in California and the world.

BREATHE – A Multidisciplinary Collaborative on Air Quality & Heath Research Director: David Lo M.D., Ph.D. david.lo@medsch.ucr.edu; breathe.ucr.edu

The BREATHE Center at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine is a multidisciplinary collaborative for studies Bridging Regional Ecology, Aerosolized Toxins, and Health Effects. Research efforts among the collaborative include regional climate modeling, culture and policy studies on air quality and health, environmental justice and health disparities, and the health impacts of aerosolized particles including dusts, soil microbes, allergenic pollens from invasive species, and pollutants.

The main partners in this work include faculty in the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB), the College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), and Biomedical Sciences in the School of Medicine. Affiliated faculty include researchers in the Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE),the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS), the School of Public Policy (SPP), and the School of Medicine (SOM). There are also affiliations with the Science and Technology Studies group in the UCR Center for Ideas and Society, and Health Assessment and Research for Communities (HARC).

Center for Glial-Neuronal Interactions: Innovative Collaborations Applied to Problems of Brain Health and Disease Director: Monica J. Carson, Ph.D. Associate Director: Iryna M. Ethell, Ph.D. 1274 Webber Hall

• (951) 827-6089

monica.carson@ucr.edu; cgni.ucr.edu

The Center for Glial-Neuronal Interactions (CGNI) in UCR’s School of Medicine is dedicated to facilitating innovative collaborations between neuro- and glial-centric researchers as well as with researchers from outside the field of neuroscience. The ultimate goal is to understand central nervous system function at a molecular level with the goal of identifying risk factors and therapeutic targets of intervention for cognitive, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative central nervous system diseases. Ongoing research includes programs on Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, cognitive disorders, epilepsy, glioblastoma, infections of the brain, multiple sclerosis, neuroinflammatory disorders, phantom limb syndrome, stroke, substance abuse and traumatic brain injury.

Center for Healthy Communities healthycommunities.ucr.edu

The Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) works with community partners to employ innovative community-based research that promotes the health of communities in Inland Southern California. CHC is building bridges with community groups and interdisciplinary health-field faculty to improve the health of the culturally and economically diverse population surrounding UCR, particularly the medically underserved.

The center fosters collaborations between UCR faculty, community-based organizations, grass-roots community leaders, and investigators at RAND and UCLA. Although the center is housed in the UCR School of Medicine, the intention is for it be of benefit to all UCR faculty and programs and to community-based partners. Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine Director: Maurizio Pellecchia, Ph.D. maurizio.pellecchia@ucr.edu; molmed.ucr.edu

This campus-wide initiative provides a forum to accelerate and enhance collaboration among faculty whose research is devoted to the translation of basic sciences into potential therapeutics, medical devices or diagnostics. With this initiative, UC Riverside and the School of Medicine commit to devote resources to assist in the development of novel treatments. The translation of basic laboratory discoveries into potential therapies, however, requires a multitude of efforts and expertise that no individual laboratory or funding source can, in isolation, fulfill. Potentially effective therapeutic strategies often never reach the patients due to the lack proper support necessary to channel basic laboratory pre-clinical studies through the complex and rigorous testing of experimental therapeutics. It is envisioned that the Center would either directly support or catalyze funding initiatives to advance the most promising innovative targeting approaches and agents into early stage clinical experimental therapeutics, therefore actively assisting in the first steps toward their development.

Blum Initiative on Global and Regional Poverty Director: David Brady, Ph.D. blum.ucr.edu

The UCR Blum Initiative on Global and Regional Poverty is dedicated to addressing poverty in the Inland Southern California region through research by world-class faculty, courses and internships related to poverty for students, a yearly forum on poverty policy, and a monthly seminar series.

Center for Social Innovation Director: Karthick Ramakrishnan, Ph.D. socialinnovation.ucr.edu

The School of Public Policy is building a Center for Social Innovation that is designed to connect with local communities and provide a credible research voice that can shift away from a “problem and deficit” narrative to an “opportunity and asset” narrative, one that will help unlock the region’s potential in the eyes of government agencies and foundations, as well as the corporate sector and elected officials.

Center for Sustainable Suburban Development Director: Ronald Loveridge, Ph.D.

• (951) 827-7830

cssd.ucr.edu

Explores the social, economic, political and ecological questions posed by population growth and movement, using neighboring communities as a laboratory while recognizing these are global issues. Involves interdisciplinary collaborations in the community and among faculty and researchers.

Robert Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies Director (Academic): Sharon Oselin, Ph.D. Director (External): Grover Trask, J.D. presleycenter.ucr.edu

Generates knowledge to form and implement effective crime prevention and control policies. The center encourages and facilitates research in the social sciences on basic and policy-related questions regarding justice, legal concepts and processes, social deviance and control, and research strategies for addressing such questions.

Agricultural Experiment Station – Citrus Research Center http://cnas.ucr.edu/about/aes/aes.html

A branch of the University of California’s statewide Agricultural Experiment Station, the nation’s largest land-grant experiment station and the research arm of the University of California’s Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources headquartered in Davis. Conducts research in plants, pests and disease, and natural resource sciences; through Cooperative Extension, provides leadership in the dissemination and application of research-based knowledge in agricultural and environmental science to the people of California. Through educational programs and research opportunities, prepares tomorrow’s leaders in agricultural and environmental science.

Center for Ubiquitous Communication by Light (UC-Light) Director: Albert Wang, Ph.D. UC Riverside, Winston Chung Hall, Room 417 http://www.uclight.ucr.edu/

The Center for Ubiquitous Communication by Light (UC-Light) is an University of California system wide research center established under the University of California Multi-campus Research Program and Initiatives (MRPI). UC-Light program brings together faculty researchers from five University of California campus (Riverside, Berkeley, Davis, Santa Barbara and Merced) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, as well as affiliated researchers from Technion in Israel and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to conduct interdisciplinary research to develop LED-based visible light communications (VLC) and positioning (VLP) technologies for next-generation ultra-high-throughput wireless streaming and indoor/outdoor visible light navigation. UC-Light Center maintains active research collaboration with the industry. UC-Light Center provides research and training opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Cooperative Extension http://cnas.ucr.edu/about/aes/ces.html

Cooperative Extension specialists headquartered at UCR oversee research programs that provide technologies and scientific information to aid the region’s residents and help coordinate the activities of farm, family and consumer services advisors based in more than 50 county offices. Programs include sustainable agriculture, pest and disease management, irrigation, water quality, urban horticulture, and natural resources management.

Natural Reserve System Director: Kimberly Hammond, Ph.D. Assistant Director: Richard Redak, Ph,D. kimberly.hammond@ucr.edu; richard.redak@ucr.edu ucnrs.org

The University of California Natural Reserve System maintains for teaching and research a system of reserves encompassing the diversity of Cali- fornia’s natural terrain. Any qualified individual or institution may use the reserves under the direction and with the approval of the university. UCR administers 8 of the approximately 40 reserves systemwide.

Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center encompasses 6,122 acres of desert habitat around Deep Canyon, near Palm Desert. An air-conditioned field station with living quarters and laboratories is located near the mouth of Deep Canyon. A primitive campground and 2-square- mile teaching area is available for class use. uncrs.org

Box Springs Reserve consists of 160 acres near the top of Box Springs Mountains and includes a coastal sage scrub. No laboratory facilities are present on the property, because of the proximity of such facilities on the UCR campus. This reserve has been used for field class laboratories and student research projects, but other research projects can be conducted at this site. ucnrs.org

James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve near Idyllwild is approximately 30 acres, surrounded on all sides by relatively undisturbed national forest land. Nearby there are 60 miles of hiking trails with access to thousands of acres of mid- and high-elevation wilderness, from nearby Lake Fulmor to the summit of Black Mountain, at 7,800 feet. The reserve is equipped for over seventy researchers and classes of student in four fully-equipped cabins. The reserve can also accommodate visitors in a stand-alone classroom. james.ucnrs.org Oasis de los Osos Reserve is a satellite reserve of the James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve and is located near Snow Creek at the northern base of Mount San Jacinto. This property consists of 160 acres of rocky desert slopes and a dry alluvial fan. It also contains a perennial stream (Lamb Creek) with some waterfalls. A riparian woodland grows along this stream. A semi-desert scrub plant community occurs on the dry slopes and alluvial fan and along the washes. No facilities are available at this site. james. ucnrs.org/oasis-de-los-osos

Jack and Marilyn Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center Encompasses 9,000 acres embedded in the 1.8 million-acre Mojave National Preserve in eastern San Bernardino County. Rising to near 7,000 ft, this rugged and scenic site offers exceptional local and regional biotic diversity, ranging from species typical of the Mojave, Sonoran and Great Basin Deserts, and relictual taxa affiliated with the Colorado Plateau and Transverse Ranges. The Kenneth Norris Teaching Area offers both indoor and camping facilities for class use, and the Allanson complex in Granite Cove includes a state-of-the-art research laboratory, conference room, and lodging for up to 20 researchers. granite.ucnrs.org

Sacramento Mountains Reserve is a satellite of the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desear Reserve Center and contains approximately 590 acres of Mojave Desert habitat at the Sonoran Desert transition. It is located about 18 miles west of Needles, CA, in San Bernardino County. The reserve contains ten species of cacti, including one of the best displays of Bigelow Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) in California. It also boasts the northwesternmost occurrence of Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). No laboratory facilities or living quarters are on this site, but lodging is available just offsite or at the nearby Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, for anyone wishing to use the reserve for teaching or research. granite. ucnrs.org

Motte Rimrock Reserve consists of approximately 715 acres at the northwestern corner of Perris, about 15 miles from campus. The vegetation is principally coastal sage scrub and grassland with riparian corridors in the canyons. This land is of particular biological interest for this region because it contains several species of conservation interest. Indian pictographs and a former Indian village site also are on this reserve. A headquarters building contains sleeping facilities for reserve users. ucnrs.org

Emerson Oaks Reserve is located 5 miles east of Temecula and 1 mile south of Highway 79. This 255-acre site contains coastal sage scrub on the lower hills, and oak woodland. uncrs.org

UC Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS) Director: Exequiel Ezcurra, Ph.D. 3324 Olmsted Hall

• (951) 827-3519; fax (951) 827-3856;

ucmexus@ucr.edu; ucmexus.ucr.edu

Since its establishment in 1980, the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS) has maintained the primary mission of developing and sustaining a coordinated, university-wide approach to Mexico-related studies. The institute’s broad objectives are:

• • to increase the quantity, visibility, and effectiveness of Mexico-United

States projects in the university;

• • to strengthen and develop research, exchange programs, and teaching;

• • to support and coordinate interdisciplinary and inter-campus projects;

• • to encourage and enable collaborative approaches by UC and Mexican

scholars to the issues which affect both nations;

• • to act as a source of information about university-sponsored United

States-Mexico activities;

• • to develop new sources for support of research and instructional programs;

• • and to promote a better understanding between the two countries.

Within this broad definition, UC MEXUS seeks to identify, encourage, secure financial support for, and publicize programs which promise to contribute substantially to scholarship, to enhance university instruction—particularly in graduate and professional areas—to improve binational understanding, and to make positive contributions to society in both Mexico and the United States. The Institute has been located at the UC Riverside campus since 1984.

SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center SEARCH is the acronym for Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Community, and Hope. The center is the University of California’s first family autism resource center focused exclusively on family needs, such as educational access. Housed in the UCR Graduate School of Education, the mission of SEARCH is to reduce the amount of stress they experience in attempting to learn about autism and access appropriate programs and treatments. While simultaneously training the next generation of autism researchers and educators, SEARCH provides assessments in both Spanish and English, and students learn procedures used both in clinic and schools.

• (951) 827-3849

searchcenter@ucr.edu; searchcenter.ucr.edu

Vocabulary CHAAOS Many students gain most of their advanced vocabulary through the wide reading they do in and out of school. Students who have disabilities that affect reading (for example, students with learning disabilities or mild cognitive impairments), students who are learning English as well as learning to read, and other students who read below grade level may not read enough text and text at a sufficiently high level to learn the academic language needed to succeed in their course work in middle and high school. With financial backing from the Institute of Education Sciences procedures will be developed for teaching academic words to students who read well below grade level in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

• (951) 827-6052

rollanda.oconnor@ucr.edu

Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) CERG’s mission is to provide an evidence base that informs the design of policies and programs that promote the development of citizens for an ef- fective, just, and humane democratic society. We conduct quantitative and qualitative research focused on understanding:

• • The nature of youth civic engagement

• • The impact of civic learning opportunities and digital media participation

on young people’s civic capacities and commitments

• • The quantity, quality, and equality of civic opportunities and outcomes in

public schools and other contexts

The goal is to monitor trends, frame priorities, and develop an evidence base regarding effective civic education practices and policies.

Joseph.Kahne@ucr.edu; www.civicsurvey.org