UCLA faculty whose research contributes to UCLA Grand Challenges recognized as some of the most influential researchers

UCLA had 41 faculty members included on the Global Highly Cited Researchers 2018 list that is published annually. And of the world’s most influential researchers, several are faculty members whose research contributes to the Depression Grand Challenge and the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge. The list is comprised of scientists who are in the top-1 percent of most widely cited researchers in their respective fields.

Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Faculty

Ten researchers whose work contributes to the goals of the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLA GC) made the list. Read below to learn more about these faculty whose research is critical to informing a pathway to renewable energy, local water, and a healthier ecosystem in Los Angeles County.

Michael Jerrett, a professor of environmental health science and chair of the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA, is an SLA GC research grant program awardee. Professor Jarrett’s SLA GC research project focuses on active low carbon methods of transportation like bike-share programs and e-scooters in Westwood, Los Angeles. Focusing on the environmental and health impacts of active forms of transportation, Professor Jerrett is evaluating the pollution exposure related to active commutes, as well as perceived barriers to access for low-carbon transportation. Jerrett also helped develop the framework the SLA GC, and serves as a mentor for the SLA GC Undergraduate Scholars Program (SLA GC-URSP). Professor Jerret was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Richard Kaner, a distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is an SLA GC research grant program awardee. Professor Kaner’s SLA GC research project focuses on improving the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment, an essential source of local water for Los Angeles County. The energy efficiency of wastewater treatment has traditionally been limited by membrane biofouling – a process by which the membrane filtration system in wastewater treatment facilities becomes clogs with microorganisms, restricting the passage of water through the filter. Professor Kaner is focusing on developing a membrane coating system that can resist membrane fouling, improving the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment.  Professor Kaner was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Dennis Lettenmaier, distinguished professor of geography, is an SLA GC researcher grant program awardee. Professor Lettenmaier’s SLA GC research project focuses on analyzing the impact of urban vegetation on water use in the Los Angeles Basin (LAB). Using high spatial resolution remote sensing data with an urban land surface model, Professor Lettenmaier seeks to analyze how changes in land cover have impacted water use in the Los Angeles Basin over the past several decades. With the goal of balancing the benefits of increasing urban vegetation with the drawbacks of increased water use, Professor Lettenmaier seeks to develop alternative land cover scenarios for the next 20-50 years so that their impact on water use may be evaluated. Professor Lettenmaier was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Yang Yang, a materials science and engineering professor from the Samueli School of Engineering, is an SLA GC researcher grant program awardee. Professor Yang’s SLA GC research project focuses on harnessing the potential of solar energy through the development of single device that can convert sunlight into energy and then store it for later use. By creating a thin-film device that can both create and store energy, Professor Yang seeks to create a technology that is versatile enough to be used in window coverings, awnings, panels in homes, and commercial and public buildings. Professor Yang was the only UCLA professor recognized on the list this year for impacting three different fields of research: chemistry, materials science, and physics.

Lawren Sack, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is an SLA GC Research grant program awardee. Professor Sack’s cross-disciplinary SLA GC research project aims to develop technologies that can reduce the water use associated with irrigation while anticipating tree-mortality from natural drought.  The project aims to develop a device that can rapidly analyze leaf water content to determine the amount of water that a tree needs for survival and growth. By integrating this information with the irrigation system, Professor Sack hopes to keep trees healthy while reducing irrigation water use. Professor Sack was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Xiangfeng Duan, a Howard Reiss Career Development Chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is conducting research that is related to SLA GC sustainability goals. Professor Duan’s research on the design and synthesis of nanostructures contributes to the advancement of fuel cell efficiency and energy storage – technologies that are critical to renewable energy expansion. Professor Duan was listed in the category of Materials Science.

Nathan Kraft, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is conducting research that is related to SLA GC sustainability goals. Kraft’s research focuses on examining ecological factors that determine the biodiversity of plant communities – a critical factor in improving the health of Los Angeles’ ecosystems. Kraft was listed in the category of Environment/Ecology.

Yu Huang, professor of materials science and engineering from the Samueli School of Engineering, is conducting research that is related to the SLA GC sustainability goals. Huang’s research on nanotechnology has applications in energy storage that are critical for realizing a renewable energy future. Professor Huang was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Beate Ritz, professor and vice chair of the epidemiology department, is conducting research that is related to SLA GC sustainability goals. Professor Rtiz’s research focuses on the health effects of air pollution and environmental toxins on chronic diseases. Understanding the impacts of environmental pollutants on human health is essential to creating a sustainable future. Professor Ritz was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Peter Kareiva, director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and a Pritzker distinguished professor in Environment and Sustainability, is conducting research that is related to the SLA GC sustainability goals. Professor Kareiva’s research focuses on the connection between humans and nature, inequities in access to natural environments, and identifying communication strategies for climate science. Professor Kareiva was listed in a new “cross-field” category, indicating that his interdisciplinary research has influenced several fields.

Depression Grand Challenge Faculty

Three researchers recognized on Global Highly Cited Researchers 2018 list are engaging in research relevant to the Depression Grand Challenge (DGC). Read below to learn more about UCLA faculty whose research is informing efforts to cut the burden of depression in half by 2050 and eliminate it by the end of the century.

Daniel Geschwind is professor of neurology and psychiatry at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Institute for Precision Health at UCLA. The institute provides leadership and strategic vision, facilitating the development of platforms for big data integration, clinical diagnostics, and patient bio-banking. This platform is an essential component for the DGC and other precision medicine efforts.

Nelson Freimer is the director of the DGC and Maggie G. Gilbert professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, Dr. Friemer aims to use large scale genomics methods to identify the genetic basis of complex traits, particularly neurobehavioral disorders like depression. Dr. Freimer is the leader of the DGC, providing vision and direction for this campus-wide endeavor, which includes a large-scale 100K person study to uncover the environmental and genetic basis of depression. Fundamental to the DGC’s efforts to transform our understanding and treatment of depression, Dr. Freimer has a career-long focus on developing and deploying increasingly precise methods to diagnose and track the course of depression and bipolar disorder. 

Michael Sofroniew, professor of neurobiology at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is engaged with the Discovery Neuroscience component of the DGC. Dr. Sofroniew helps lead one of the demonstration projects, focused on understanding astrocytes, understudied brain support cells that make up about 40 percent of our brain, and their role in the brain circuits of individuals with depression.

Read more about other researchers recognized on Global Highly Cited Researchers 2018 list at  UCLA Newsroom.