The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) builds on UCI’s strengths in multidisciplinary science and engineering research, experiential learning, world-class facilities, and commitment to diversity. The primary mission of the Center is to establish foundational knowledge in materials science and engineering of new classes of materials offering unique and broad functionality via an interplay among design, simulation, synthesis, and advanced characterization. The Center’s interdisciplinary team members work together to create materials with complex chemical compositions—able to exhibit unprecedented physical properties, such as the ability to withstand extreme environments having applications in national defense—and dynamic, responsive soft materials—able to mimic complex biological processes serving as an interface with living systems for healthcare applications. Through seed projects, the Center engages new participants in emergent research directions. The Center attracts many junior scientists, including women, underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities, from across the nation and trains future leaders at all academic and professional levels to address critical societal challenges. The Center’s integrated activities—including novel materials research, partnerships with industry and national laboratories, entrepreneurial innovation, career development, and mentorship—are enabling a transformative long-term impact on fundamental science, advanced applications, and workforce development. Learn More…