News Summary
The University of California, Irvine has renamed its School of Biological Sciences to the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences following a $50 million donation from Dunlop. This endowment is aimed at funding high-risk research projects, enhancing academic efforts in biological sciences, and positioning the school as a leader in the field. UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman highlighted the far-reaching implications of this donation and the transformative impact it will have on students and the community.
IRVINE, Ca. — The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has announced that it will rename its School of Biological Sciences to the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences following a substantial $50 million donation from biotech entrepreneur Charlie Dunlop. This significant contribution will establish an endowment fund designed to enhance academic and research efforts within the biological sciences.
The donation is poised to support high-risk, high-reward research projects, which are crucial to advancing knowledge in biological sciences. UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman underscored that Dunlop’s generosity sets a new standard for biology programs across the United States, highlighting the donation’s far-reaching implications for the field.
Charlie Dunlop, a graduate of UC San Diego, founded Ambry Genetics in 1999, evolving the company from a modest office above a Harley-Davidson shop to a prominent genetics testing firm employing around 700 individuals. In 2017, Ambry Genetics was sold to a Japanese manufacturer for up to $1 billion, marking a significant milestone in Dunlop’s career. The company’s reputation rose largely due to its commitment to making genetic data publicly available for research, a practice inspired by Dunlop’s personal experiences with prostate cancer.
This donation comes in the wake of a change in nomenclature for the School of Biological Sciences, which was previously named after Francisco J. Ayala, a geneticist whose name was withdrawn due to sexual harassment allegations. The biological sciences program has a rich history, being one of the original divisions when UC Irvine opened its doors in 1965. Its motto, “mind, body, world,” exemplifies the school’s mission to bridge the connections between human health and environmental health.
The School of Biological Sciences currently serves more than 4,000 undergraduate students and 300 graduate students, providing a robust framework for educational and research activities. Dean Frank LaFerla emphasized the transformative impact the donation will have on both students and the broader community. He noted that this financial support will enable the school to further its commitment to excellence in biological research and education.
Furthermore, Dunlop expressed gratitude to UC Irvine for playing a pivotal role in the development and success of Ambry Genetics. His contribution is viewed as a dedication to furthering advancements in biological sciences and improving healthcare outcomes through innovation.
With this substantial financial boost, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences is now positioned to solidify its reputation as a leader in the field, fostering a new generation of scientists and researchers dedicated to addressing the complex biological challenges facing society today.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: UC Irvine Renames School of Biological Sciences
- LA Times: UC Irvine Renames School Following Donation
- Gene Online: SABPA OC & LAS 17th Annual Biomedical Forum
- Wikipedia: University of California, Irvine
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