The Fowler Museum at UCLA has permanently returned seven royal objects to the Asante kingdom in Ghana, where they originated. The objects include a necklace, an ornamental chair, and an elephant tail whisk. These items were personally handed over to the Asante king by the museum's representatives. The return took place on Feb. 5, 2024, which marked the 150th anniversary of the sacking of Kumasi by British colonial troops. The Fowler Museum has been a leader in repatriation, and this event marks its first international return.
Consistent with UCLA’s strategic plan to expand our reach as a global university, UCLA has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State for having the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2023–24 among American universities. Six UCLA scholars are conducting international research in various locations, such as Botswana and Tokyo this academic year. Their research covers a range of topics, including Sephardic Moroccan women’s musical traditions and quantum computing.
During UCLA Extension’s 38th Annual Land Use Law and Planning Conference, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Housing Jenna Hornstock provided the administration’s views on addressing the city’s homelessness crisis. She emphasized the need for more interim housing and highlighted the importance of preventing homelessness and creating a sense of community. Hornstock emphasized that the city is not only focused on providing temporary shelter but also on creating a path to permanent housing, and that housing the homeless is part of a broader effort to develop more stable neighborhoods across the city. The conference included sessions on California’s housing crisis and strategies to ensure all state residents have
access to adequate housing.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block sat down recently for a fireside chat with high school students as they prepare for college. UCLA alumna and Geffen Academy Head of School Sibyll Carnochan Catalan moderated the conversation which included a discussion on the changes UCLA has undergone during Block’s tenure, such as the physical footprint of the campus, enrollment growth, student housing, affordability, diversity, access, service, entrepreneurship, and international engagement. When the students asked about his hopes for UCLA’s future, Block said he would like to see continued growth and expansion. He also hopes that the student diversity on campus will reflect the demographics of Los Angeles.
On January 20 and 21, nearly 400 prominent Latina scholars, attorneys, politicians, policy leaders, and students from across the country gathered to discuss the need for a Latina lens in policymaking across all levels of government. The symposium focused on exploring today's legal and advocacy challenges and opportunities through a Latina lens. The event featured prominent speakers, including California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán, and Vilma Martinez, U.S. ambassador to Argentina and former president and general counsel of MALDEF. The symposium addressed the underrepresentation of Latina leaders in decision-making positions.
Professor Veronica Terriquez, co-founder of the Latina Futures, 2050 Lab, hopes that the symposium will inspire Latinas to become leaders in law and policy-making positions, and to use their unique perspectives to advance legal and policy reforms that promote equality and inclusion.
Global light pollution has been increasing rapidly over the past 30 years, rising by about 10% annually. Light pollution can create problems for both humans and animals. It can disrupt our biological clocks, cultural traditions, and increase hazards while driving or walking. For animals, too much light at the wrong time can interfere with their natural life cycles and patterns. However, a new report has outlined some measures that can help preserve natural darkness and combat the negative impacts of light pollution.
Active Membranes, a UCLA-based company co-founded by civil and environmental engineering professors David Jassby and Eric Hoek, is located in the Magnify Incubator at the UCLA California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI), which supports early-stage technology startups by providing facilities, services and expertise. The startup is revolutionizing freshwater access via an innovative technology to treat and desalinate water. The technology reduces the cost and environmental impact of water treatment systems and can be applied to any membrane-based water treatment system, from households to commercial plants.
The UCLA Veteran Resource Center recently organized an employment training exercise to help student veterans from universities across Southern California prepare for the job search process. The resource center collaborated with the Wounded Warrior Project and accounting firm Deloitte, along with other top-tier employers, to provide an intensive experience that simplifies the job-landing process. During the training, the student veterans received face-to-face feedback and guidance and learned the vital skill of translating their military experience and skills to civilian employers.
Nathalie Rayes, a double Bruin alumna, recently spoke with the Daily Bruin to discuss her new role as the U.S. ambassador to Croatia. Rayes has a long career in public service, during which she established several initiatives and offices in local government in Los Angeles. She is a prominent Latina activist, having led the Latino Victory organization, which is dedicated to developing political power for the Latino community. Rayes served on multiple boards for former President Barack Obama and President Joseph Biden before being sworn in as the ambassador to Croatia in January.
A UCLA-led research team has found a link between early puberty in first-born daughters and high levels of prenatal stress in their mothers. The researchers did not observe the same correlation in boys or in daughters who were not first-born. According to UCLA anthropologist Molly Fox, this early maturation may enable first-born daughters to assist their mothers in successfully rearing their other children.
A UCLA Health-led study evaluated Los Angeles County’s pilot program for homeless residents with severe illnesses, including schizophrenia and substance use disorders. The program offered wraparound housing, health care, and social services to 43 homeless residents. At the end of the program's first year, 81% of the residents were no longer homeless. About 65% of the residents were placed under a conservatorship with most requiring treatment at a psychiatric hospital. More than half of these residents were able to leave these locked settings and transfer to licensed residential facilities earlier than would have been possible prior to the pilot program.
