During an appointment several years ago, a longtime patient and Mexican immigrant told Adolfo Aguilera, MD, that she had recently become an American citizen but was unsure whether she wanted to vote. “I told her it's important to vote, that this is part of being a citizen of the United States so that your voice is heard and your voice is counted when decisions are being made,” said Aguilera, a physician at Riverside University Health System (RUHS) and director of clinical skills at the UC Riverside School of Medicine.

On November 7, 2025, leading candidates for California governor will meet for a forum hosted by UC Riverside to discuss health care challenges faced by state voters. The event, titled “Health Matters: A Conversation with California’s Next Governor,” is a nonpartisan forum organized by 11 California health-focused advocacy organizations committed to ensuring that every Californian has the opportunity to live healthy and well.

Genetic or bacterial diseases have previously been shown to have an effect on lung microbes. However, a UC Riverside discovery marks the first time scientists have observed such changes from environmental exposure rather than disease. 

Dr. Mahsa Khayat-Khoei will investigate how a special group of immune cells called monocytes contribute to nerve damage in progressive multiple sclerosis

For residents of the Imperial Valley living with asthma, there may be a surprising cause: dust from the nearby Salton Sea. David Lo, MD, PhD, distinguished professor in the Division of Biomedical Sciences at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, has focused on the local environmental issue in his recent research, which he presented at the 2025 Thomas and Salma Haider Biomedical Breakthrough Lecture on October 9.

Brandon Brown, PhD, a professor in the Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, has been conducting numerous community partnered research projects focused on HIV and the ethics of participant payment. Noting multiple barriers to community involvement as part of the research team, he collaborated with the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program to create The Community Research Partner Training Course.