Erik Lium, interim director of the Contracts and Grants Division of the UCSF Office of Sponsored Research, has been named to the position of assistant vice chancellor of research at UCSF.

Two teams of UCSF scientists have received grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to advance their stem cell based strategies for treating diabetes and brain tumors. The intent of the grants is for teams to file new drug applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within four years, driving potential therapies toward clinical trials.

The Problem Resolution Center will bring its drop-in services to the Parnassus campus on November 4, offering a convenient consultation opportunity for those who work, conduct research, study or teach on the flagship campus.

UCSF and the UCSF-affiliated J. David Gladstone Institutes have been named among the top 10 best places to work in U.S. academia, according to 2009 survey results announced today by “The Scientist” magazine. The magazine ranks UCSF as the second best academic work setting and the Gladstone Institutes as sixth.

UCSF Chancellor Sue Desmond-Hellmann says she will focus on four priorities -- patients and health, people, discoveries and business -- to ensure that UCSF can achieve its advancing health worldwide™ mission.

Shots to prevent seasonal flu continue to be available this week at no cost to any member of the UCSF community with a UCSF ID badge.

Philanthropists Irwin and Joan Jacobs of La Jolla, CA are giving a $6.5 million gift to UCSF for head and neck cancer research. It is believed to be the largest private, U.S. gift for research supporting this disease.