NEWS
PERC–TVT Research Immersion Program at UCI
June 4, 2024: Congratulations to the TVT students who successfully completed the 5-day PERC–TVT Research Immersion Program at UCI. This immersive experience introduced high school students to research environments and included developing suturing and ultrasound skills, exploring surgical innovations like robotics, and learning about pathology. They also visited the BEAMS Laboratory, spent time in Edwards Scientific, studied sleep assessment, investigated salivary cortisol as a stress marker, and engaged in community-based participatory research. The program concluded with discussions and hands-on human performance measurements and the health impact of sugary drinks.
ACSM Annual Meeting–Fellow Presentation
On May 30, 2024, Dr. Ancilla Rompala, MD, a 2023 CHOC Fellow
in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, presented her research on fitness
assessments in pediatric patients recovering from Multisystem Inflammatory
Syndrome (MIS-C) at the ACSM annual meeting. Her study, titled “Using CPET to
Evaluate Possible Long-term Effects of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome
(MIS-C) in Pediatric Populations”, highlights the advantages of using
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to identify respiratory and cardiac
limitations. These include subtle issues (e.g., ΔV̇E/ΔV̇CO2, ΔV̇O2/ΔHR, and
post-exercise FEV1) that may not be detectable through static lung function
measurements or ECG alone.
Yoav Weber’s presentation at the School of Biological Sciences’ Excellence in Research Event
On April 22, Yoav Weber, a PERC Bio 199 student, presented his research at the School of Biological Sciences’ Excellence in Research Event. His study, titled “Examining Exercise Responses in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients and Healthy Controls Utilizing Cutting-Edge Exercise Assessment in the Human Performance Laboratory.” Yoav’s work highlights how exercise assessments can uncover limitations in individuals with Cystic Fibrosis, including subtle ones, that may not be apparent through static lung function measurements alone. Congratulations to Yoav for an outstanding job and earning a score of 98 on his paper!
Dr. Shlomit Radom-Aizik Blog about COVID-19, Exercise, Children and their Developing Immune System posted in the ACSM Exercise is Medicine e-newsletter
Dr. Shlomit Radom-Aizik’s insightful blog post on the intersection of COVID-19, exercise, and children’s developing immune systems was recently featured in the ACSM Exercise is Medicine e-newsletter. Delving into the crucial role of physical activity in bolstering immunity during the pandemic, her expertise provided valuable guidance for maintaining children’s health and well-being in challenging times.
PERC welcomed 126 5th graders from Martin Elementary School to the PERC laboratories at the UCI School of Medicine. Our young scholars were engaged in activities and learned about pediatric exercise research and healthy habits and lifestyle.
The Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center (PERC) Community Outreach and Education Program led by Dr. Zaldivar welcomed 126 5th grade scholars from Martin Elementary School September 23rd, 2019 to the PERC laboratories at the UCI School of Medicine. Our young scholars were engaged in activities and learned about pediatric exercise research and healthy habits and lifestyle. Ms. Su, 5th grade teacher at Martin Elementary, Santa Ana Unified School District wrote, “thank you so much for allowing our 5th graders to visit PERC. The activities you provided are engaging and gave insights into the world of medical research. After the field trip, I asked several students about their experiences and received all positive feedback! Some of the kids have said that they want to become scientists and doctors. I really hope they also take to heart all the information about physical exercise and healthy food habits and pass the information onto their families as well.”
This event is one out of 50 PERC Community Outreach and Education Program events planned
for this year. During the 2018-2019 school year, PERC educated 5000 community members in
different parts of the county.
If you are interested in learning more about PERC activities please visit us at http://www.perc.uci.edu/
PERC opened a new cutting edge tele-exercise room made possible by a generous gift from the UC Irvine Class of 2017.
Thanks to a generous contribution from the UC Irvine Class of 2017, PERC unveiled a state-of-the-art tele-exercise room, marking a significant milestone in advancing remote fitness capabilities. This cutting-edge facility promises to revolutionize the way exercise is accessed and enjoyed, underscoring PERC’s commitment to innovation and accessibility in promoting overall wellness.
“A Six-Week Therapeutic Ballet Intervention Improved Gait and Inhibitory Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy—a Pilot Study” was published in Frontiers in Public Health, section Children and Health.
The groundbreaking study, “A Six-Week Therapeutic Ballet Intervention Improved Gait and Inhibitory Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy—a Pilot Study,” has been published in Frontiers in Public Health, specifically in the Children and Health section. This significant research offers promising insights into the potential benefits of therapeutic ballet for children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the interdisciplinary approach to improving both physical and cognitive outcomes.
Dr. Candice Taylor received the 2019 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at the UCI School of Medicine awards dinner. The award recognizes graduating students and faculty members who demonstrate both clinical excellence and outstanding compassion.
Dr. Candice Taylor was honored with the prestigious 2019 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award during the UCI School of Medicine awards dinner. This esteemed accolade celebrates individuals who exhibit exceptional clinical prowess and unwavering compassion, reaffirming Dr. Taylor’s dedication to providing holistic care and embodying the core values of humanism in medicine.
The Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center in collaboration with the UCI Esports Arena completed a pilot study to evaluate the effect of a brief high intensity interval exercise on gaming performance of players in the Esports League
The Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center, in collaboration with the UCI Esports Arena, successfully conducted a pilot study assessing the impact of brief high-intensity interval exercise on the gaming performance of Esports League players. This innovative research initiative signifies a pioneering effort to explore the intersection of physical activity and gaming, shedding light on potential strategies to optimize performance and well-being in the esports community.