Feature

“Discover and innovate” is the mantra of the modern American research university. But what does it mean to discover in an era when our final frontiers are not defined by mere geography? And whence comes the drive to innovate? Is it in our DNA or simply our cultural destiny? Is it catalyzed by the quintessential “a-ha!” moment or does it grow from the darkest nights of the soul? Is it a serendipitous event or, quite simply, essential to human survival? In this issue of UCR we asked three UCR innovators to weigh in on the concept of reinvention. Their musings reveal that reinvention is older than Darwin, as American as apple pie and as familiar as the human quest for happiness.

Raising children is no small feat. Add to that the rigors of successful careers in engineering, as well as the challenges of becoming involved in a worldwide race to find cures for cancer, and you have the makings of a hectic life.

Vincent Lavallo creates art out of elements that some might consider minutiae, layering in bits of information, color and point of view. He steps back often to see what he’s created. He’s reflective. He makes changes.

A Ph.D. in chemistry from UCR took alumnus William Fenical from the desert to the sea to search for new cures. Combining his two passions — the ocean and organic chemistry — Fenical’s pioneering efforts are making waves in the world of medicine.