KUCI: UCI Conversations

Jessica Drew de Paz, Director of Mindfulness Services...................................(first broadcast 4-06-2021)

Director of Mindfulness Services Jessica Drew de Paz is a psychologist AND social activist. She coordinates mindfulness classes offered through the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, is developing a counseling program and is currently engaged in UCI’s ‘Black Thriving Initiative’ (google it). She speaks from the heart and has a wealth of experience. Her passions are mindfulness, equity, diversity and inclusion. She shares some very powerful experiences from her past...listen in :)

Ian Williamson, Paul Merage School of Business Dean...................................(first broadcast 3-30-2021)

New Paul Merage School of Business Dean Ian Williamson shares his journey in academia and consulting including stints in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. He strongly believes that, “ultimately you create value for a community when you address and solve the major problems for that community...” His knowledge and experience are apparent in this wide ranging interview which includes COVID, earthquakes, digital leadership and his first year goals. He’s come a long way from the southside of Chicago...

L Song Richardson-UCI Law School Dean.....................................................(first broadcast 3-23-2021)

In this interview we say “hello” and “very best” to UCI Law School Dean L Song Richardson as she prepares to leave the land of blue and gold for the mountains of the mid-west to become President of Colorado College on July 1, 2021. Her goal, “to be a president, just like to be a dean, my goal is to empower everyone around me”. Her authenticity, her dedication, her sincerity and her wonderful sense of humor will serve her well... Bon voyage President-to-be Richardson!

Richard Harris-journalist/NPR correspondent...............................................(first broadcast March 2018)

Award-winning journalist and long-time NPR correspondent Richard Harris explains why he wrote, “RIGOR MORTIS: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope and Wastes Billions”. It is a serious problem to be examined. This interview took place when Richard Harris gave a guest lecture at UCI’s Beckman Center. This interview was first broadcast in March 2018.

Naomi Chesler, Biomedical Engineering Prof/Edwards Lifesciences Ctr Director..(first broadcast 3-09-2021)

Biomedical Engineering Professor Naomi Chesler discusses her education, career and expertise in cardio-vascular research, particularly with pulmonary hypertension. She is passionate about her cause and believes that diversity and inclusion leads to the best results for ALL! Though health issues are sobering topics, she clearly enjoys humor and loves what she does...including being the new Director of the Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology...welcome to the new Anteater leader :)

Neil Donaldson, Math Lecturer & Math Lover.................................................(first broadcast 3-02-2021)

UCI Math Lecturer Neil Donaldson loves MATH and loves to share its mysteries, its symmetry and its amazing resolution qualities. Arriving at UCI from Scotland in 2006, he has since become an established dedicated teacher, a US citizen and a family man! Listen in as he explains with details about the International Math Olympiad, the history of math and the two LIONS of mathematics; Euclid and David Hilbert...This interview is for both Math Majors, Non-Math Majors and anyone just interested in a good story :)

Nurse PhD Iman Othman-UCI Medical Center Patient Flow Director..................(first broadcast 2-23-2021)

Nursing Infomatics PhD, RN Iman Othman loves working at the UCI Medical Center. She loves to help people in their time of need. She is challenged to do her best for the nurses on her TEAM and for the UCIMC patients. She is also extremely grateful to God for all the blessings in her life. Don’t miss this extraordinary interview about a woman who grew up in the Middle East, moved to the USA as an adult and now finds herself on the hospital management team as the Patient Flow Director supervising over 600 health care heroes (plus she has FUN while doing all this!)...yeah--zot! zot! zot!

Professor Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm Dean of Science, George Mason University (first broadcast 2-16-2021)

Interview with UCI '89 alumnus Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm who is now Dean of the School of Science at George Washington University. UCI has been a springboard to his extraordinary career which includes over $300 million in research funding. His work has included projects at NASA, NOAA and all the major continents His expertise is water and people. Don't miss this personal exploration of his life and career!

Jennifer Schworer, UCI Medical Center Emergency Dept Nurse .......................(broadcast date 2-08-2021)

Extraordinary interview with Emergency Department Nurse Jennifer Schworer talking about what it has been like on the front-line fighting COVID-19, giving vaccines at Disneyland and how we are, “all in this together”. She walks the talk of helping others...thoughtful, positive and sincere... another example of why health care workers are all HEROes!

Marrie Stone, KUCI Public Affairs Host for ’Writers on Writing ........................(broadcast date 2-01-2021)

KUCI ‘Writers on Writing’ co-host Marrie Stone walks us through her life, KUCI radio since 2007 and the amazing world of literature. Every show is a surprise, a revelation and an act of love. Her focus is on craft, process and the business of writing every Wednesday morning from 9-10am. Hear about her process of putting a successful program together and some of her favorite shows...