The Rise and Fall of World Civilizations: A Conversation with Professor Jared Diamond

Why do some cultures decline suddenly and catastrophically—often immediately after reaching their peak? UCLA Professor Jared Diamond identified factors that precipitate societal collapse. He shared what happened in troubled nations around the world and how he thinks the US will fare.

Jared Diamond is a Pulitzer-prize-winning author of five best-selling books, translated into 38 languages, about human societies and human evolution: Guns, Germs, and Steel; Collapse; Why Is Sex Fun; The Third Chimpanzee; and The World until Yesterday. As a professor of geography at UCLA, Jared Diamond is known for his breadth of interests, which involves conducting research and teaching in three other fields: the biology of New Guinea birds, digestive physiology, and conservation biology.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

What’s New in Women’s Health?

Janet Pregler, M.D., Director of the Iris Cantor – UCLA Women’s Health Center and educator and advocate in women’s health gave an update on research into women’s health and how the Iris Cantor – UCLA Women’s Health Center is addressing gender disparities in health care and improving women’s lives.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

A Celebration of UCLA Athletics with UCLA Athletic Director, Martin Jarmond

Martin Jarmond, UCLA’s Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, is a nationally recognized leader in college athletics and has built an impressive track record of competitive excellence, innovative strategy and student athlete success. A two-time recipient of Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award with 20 years in sports administration spanning three conferences, Martin is guiding UCLA to new heights through his culture of an ELITE mindset – Energy, Leadership, Integrity, Toughness and Excellence.

Martin shared the latest developments and current priorities for UCLA Athletics; UCLA’s commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience; UCLA’s transition to the Big Ten Conference; how Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are impacting student-athletes and the University; and more.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

In Turbulent Times, Do People Become More or Less Spiritual?

UCLA Center for the Study of Religion’s director Carol Bakhos has been studying whether people lose their faith or become increasingly interested in spirituality. Through her research, she has been exploring how people respond under stressful situations such as those we’ve been experiencing. Do people turn to God or other forms of spirituality or turn away? She spoke with attendees about her research.

The UCLA Center for the Study of Religion was established in June 1995 to coordinate and promote the academic study of religion at the University for members of the campus community as well as for a wider public..

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

Coaching Women to Reach Their Full Potential

When the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team needed a lift during the postponed 2020 Olympics, they recruited Sue Enquist, former UCLA softball coach and player, to help them work together and ultimately win their first gold medal in the rescheduled Olympics in 2021.

Sue talked about what it takes to support and encourage women to achieve beyond their dreams.
She discussed insights on how to connect with, inspire, and get the most out of those around you. She also shared her philosophy of life, leadership, and competition in three words: Prepare. Love. Honor. Anything worthy of your passion should be worthy of your preparation.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

Saving Water and Pollinators with Native Plants

In addition to being beautiful, our gardens present the perfect place to become more sustainable. Using native plants in a landscape can make a garden more resilient and drought tolerant. Planting native plants also provides new life to your garden by providing a food source and living space for pollinators like birds and butterflies. With the right plants, it is possible to invite a host of hummingbirds, songbirds and beneficial insects to your garden. In addition to attracting these delightful visitors, you will find you entice something else – yourself! You may just find yourself out in your garden more – enjoying these delightful critters every day!

In this talk, attendees were introduced to successful native landscaping, how to attract pollinators, the latest water management practices, as well as some tips for success by Orchid Black, who has taught numerous courses in sustainable and native landscaping at UCLA Extension.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

A Peek Into the UCLA Film & Television Archive

UCLA Film & Television Archive is renowned for its pioneering efforts to rescue, preserve and showcase moving image media, and is dedicated to ensuring that the collective visual memory of our time is explored and enjoyed for generations to come.

Established in 1965, the Archive is the second-largest repository of motion pictures and broadcast programming in the United States, after the Library of Congress, and the world’s largest university-held collection. May Hong HaDuong, the new Director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, discussed the moving image library’s efforts to restore, preserve, collect, research and educate, and her goals for its future.

>>To watch a video of the event, click here<<

The Promise of Precision Medicine for Women’s Health

“Instead of looking in the rearview mirror, let’s look toward the future to prevent disease before it happens, improving health and wellness for people everywhere. The future of health care is here through precision medicine,” says Clara Lajonchere, PhD, the Deputy Director, UCLA Institute for Precision Health and Adjunct Professor of Neurology.

Precision health revolutionizes the part we play in the design of our health. The study of our genes, alongside information about our lifestyle and environment, can help predict which treatments might work best for us. It can also warn us if we are susceptible to addictive medications, such as opioids, or tell us if we are at increased risk for certain cancers so we can make changes to prevent them. Dr. Lajonchere shared with San Fernando Valley Members how precision medicine can be particularly beneficial for women.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

Update on Student Food and Housing Insecurity During the Pandemic

One of the adverse outcomes from the pandemic was increased food and housing concerns for many, and one of the overlooked communities affected by these issues is students. A recent UCLA study found that 5% of University of California and 20% of California Community College students experience homelessness. Other studies showed that food insecurity affects one-quarter to one-half of U.S. college students — before the pandemic even hit.

Attendees received an update by campus experts from the UCLA Bruin Resource Center on how these problems affected students, particularly at UCLA, and what’s done to address these difficult situations.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

Using a Coaching Mentality to Remain Positive Through a Pandemic

As the pandemic endured and stay-at-home orders remained in place, coupled with other serious community, climate, and personal challenges; Members needed some reassurance and words of encouragement.

We were very fortunate and excited to have our passionate, dedicated, inspiring Michael Price Family UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach Cori Close give attendees a much-needed pep-talk, as well as an update on the Women’s Basketball program.

>>To watch a video of the event: click here<<

Webinar: Behind the Scenes: How a Fowler Museum Exhibition is Designed

Sebastian Clough, Director of Exhibitions, shared a unique behind-the-scenes presentation on how exhibitions are put together at the Fowler Museum.

He also showed a sneak peek video of the new exhibition The Map and the Territory: 100 Years of Collecting at UCLA, which is comprised of objects assembled from UCLA’s diverse collections, and discussed how it has been revised to accommodate social distancing practices.

>>To watch a video of the event,  click here<<

Webinar: Nutrition for Immune Support in the Era of COVID-19

Nutrition is the cornerstone of health — it affects many different disease conditions; such as cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, dementia, and heart disease, as well as overall quality of life. As a leader in research, patient care, and education, the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition is at the forefront — both locally and nationally — building awareness of the impact nutrition has on a person’s health.

A panel of UCLA physician nutrition specialists from the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition discussed how to optimize your nutrition to support your immune system and well-being during the pandemic and beyond.

>>To watch a video of the event,  click here<<

Webinar: Ways to Find Happiness in Challenging Times

With mounting uncertainty and concern for family, friends and the community, it is natural to feel anxious and perhaps scared. Amid these negative emotions, however, sustaining positive feelings is essential. It increases motivation, creativity, adaptive problem solving, immune functioning and kindness — all things we need more than ever as we’re restricted at home with family members, roommates or alone.

Cassie Mogilner Holmes, Associate Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Decision Making at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, shared best practices to sustain positivity during difficult times.

>>To watch a video of the event,  click here<<