In the Challenge Initiative at UCLA, we identify unsolved problems in medicine, engineering, and industry, put together interdisciplinary teams to develop novel solutions, and seed the initial efforts to reach key early milestones towards solutions. A significant part of this effort is in training junior faculty, students, and staff in how to look at problems in new ways and how to work across fields, sharing approaches, methods and tools, as well as developing new approaches.
Led by Prof. Paul S. Weiss, a core team of faculty have significant experience as entrepeneurs, inventors, and government, corporate, and international advisors, and thus have become valuable for their problem-solving skills. We teach trainees and junior colleagues how to identify and to take on significant problems that the world faces. In so doing, we diversify our available perspectives and expand the talent pool of future problem solvers. The Initiative is a significant recruiting tool, as our trainees and colleagues are able to see and to contribute solutions to broad ranges of problems. In this way, we select an intellectually curious and strongly motivated group. The Initiative leverages the collaborative, interdisciplinary, intellectual, and entrepreneurial strengths of UCLA. We teach communication skills across fields.
By identifying problems before others do, we generate both new ideas and new intellectual property that is then developed by our faculty, students, and staff. We leverage the strong support of the UCLA Technology Development Group and the rich, creative atmosphere of Los Angeles and Southern California. We reach out to the leading engineers and clinicians in the world to partner, as needed, to advance our efforts. We partner with like-minded institutions globally, in their areas of expertise, to disseminate what we are doing. We engage UCLA alumni and friends to mentor and to support these efforts, guiding them to translation and success.
Faculty Involved
Prof. Anne M. Andrews, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Chemistry & Biochemistry
Prof. Sahar Ansari, UCLA Dentistry
Prof. Andrea Bertozzi, UCLA Mathematics
Prof. Jun Chen, UCLA Bioengineering
Prof. Dino DiCarlo, UCLA Bioengineering
Prof. Joseph DeSimone, Stanford University
Prof. Andrea Ghez, UCLA Physics & Astronomy
Prof. Yongjie Hu, UCLA Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Prof. Steven J. Jonas, UCLA Pediatrics
Prof. Mireille Kamariza, UCLA Bioengineering
Prof. Ric Kaner, UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry and Materials Science & Engineering
Prof. Song Li, UCLA Bioengineering
Prof. Alireza Moshaverinia, UCLA Dentistry
Prof. Deborah Nadoolman Landis, UCLA Theatre, Film, & Television
Prof. Prineha Narang, UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Rahmi Oklu, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale
Prof. Aydogan Ozcan, UCLA Electrical & Computer Engineering
Prof. Jaimie Stewart, UCLA Bioengineering
Prof. H. R. Tseng, UCLA Pharmacology
Prof. Paul S. Weiss, UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry, Bioengineering, and Materials Science & Engineering
Prof. Joey Chifamba, University of Zimbabwe Pharmacology (currently visiting professor at UCLA)
Leadership
Executive Board
Prof. Paul S. Weiss, Chair
Prof. Anne Andrews, Wellness Lead
Prof. Andrea Bertozzi, Smart Data Lead
Prof. Michael Jung, Therapeutics and Medicinal Chemistry Lead
Prof. Deborah Nadoolman Landis
Prof. Prineha Narang, Quantum Lead
External Advisory Board Chair
Mr. David Steinberg, Founder and CEO of Zeta Global, Inc.
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