UC Irvine Climate Collaboration announces inaugural team project grants

The UC Irvine Climate Collaboration has announced the recipients of its inaugural team project grants for 2025-26, supporting five research teams whose work is tackling climate-related challenges in California and beyond.

This year's selected projects reflect UC Irvine's leadership in solutions-oriented, interdisciplinary climate research. Each initiative tackles a distinct facet of resilience and adaptation - from wildfire intelligence to early drought detection and multi-benefit natural infrastructure.

"The past year has brought adaptation and resilience to the forefront, with an emphasis on pragmatic responses to the growing economic costs and human impacts of a changing climate here in California, across the U.S., and around the world," said Brett Sanders, director of the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration and Chancellor's Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Urban Planning & Public Policy. "Through these projects, we aim to showcase UC Irvine's capacity for team-based, solutions-driven research while fostering exciting new learning opportunities for students."

Projects Selected for 2025-26

Building resilience in California's desert future
Jim Smith, professor of chemistry; Celia Faiola, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary Bbology; and Alex Guenther, professor of Earth system science

In partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, this team will investigate the accelerating desertification of Southern California, where rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and increasing dust storms threaten ecosystem health, air quality, and community well-being. By studying how desert plants capture carbon, use water, and emit gases under heat stress, the research will explore how strategic management of vegetation could help mitigate these impacts.

Detecting early vegetation drought in California
Angela Rigden, assistant professor of Earth system science, and Veronica Berrocal, professor of statistics

This project investigates how early signs of plant water stress can be identified using satellite observations, physical models and advanced statistical methods. By combining evapotranspiration measurements with environmental modeling, the team will develop near-real-time, uncertainty-aware maps of vegetation stress across California.

OC-FIRE Model: Localized fire risk mapping for Orange County
Sarah Kimball, associate professor in residence of ecology and evolutionary biology, and James Randerson, Ralph J. and Carol M. Cicerone Professor of Earth system science

In partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Natural Communities Coalition, this project will integrate 20 years of vegetation field data with high-resolution satellite imagery, environmental datasets and fire history records to deliver actionable fire risk maps and tools that directly support community safety, climate resilience, and ecologically sensitive vegetation management.

Pocket park and garden climate solutions
Doug Houston, professor of urban planning and public policy; Jessica Debats Garrison, assistant professor of teaching of urban planning and public policy; Jason Douglas, associate professor of health, society and behavior; and Monica Palta, assistant researcher and cooperative extension specialist

This project will investigate how small-scale green spaces, such as community gardens and pocket parks, influence neighborhood microclimates, air quality, and public health. Focusing on study areas in Irvine, Santa Ana and Southeast Los Angeles, the team will map, monitor, and evaluate these green spaces across diverse social and environmental contexts.

Wildfire intelligence for national security
Amir AghaKouchak, Tirtha Banerjee, Ramin Bostanabad, Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, Mohsen Imani, Richard Matthew, Phu Nguyen, Christopher Olivares, Mohammad Qomi and James Randerson

This large interdisciplinary team is exploring how wildfire behavior can be better understood and anticipated through artificial intelligence, real-time satellite observations and predictive modeling. In collaboration with government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and emergency management partners, the team seeks to inform disaster preparedness and resilience planning.

New learning opportunities for UC Irvine students

Across these five projects, the Climate Collaboration will create new climate-related learning experiences across many different academic departments for UC Irvine students who are passionate about creating a more sustainable and resilient future for California and the world. Students will develop skills in data analysis, modeling, field work, new AI tools and community-based research. Our emphasis on collaboration will underscore its importance in problem solving and progress towards practical climate solutions.

Collaborative approach and campus engagement

The inaugural projects were selected through an interdisciplinary review process from among 18 proposals, representing faculty from 15 schools and 21 academic departments. Each project embodies the Climate Collaboration's mission to bridge disciplines and connect campus research to partners including government agencies, public utilities, businesses and non-governmental organizations.

"Configuring both internal and external collaborations for a project proposal isn't easy " Sanders said, "but we are thrilled to see the strength of UC Irvine teams on display here, where projects span six different schools and link to local, state and federal government agencies as well as community groups."

The Climate Collaboration will host its first symposium in this Winter, where each project team will present its research and engage in dialogue with campus and community members. A second call for proposals is planned for Spring 2026.

About the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration

The UC Irvine Climate Collaboration serves as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary climate innovation. The initiative connects researchers, students, and external partners to co-develop solutions that address climate change at every scale - from local resilience planning to global sustainability policy.

"Whether it's connecting with a partner, submitting a proposal, or joining a brainstorming session, we want the Climate Collaboration to be a resource for the entire UC Irvine community," Sanders said.

For more information, visit climatecollab.uci.edu.