Dean LaFerla

Dean LaFerla serves as the Dean of the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He champions a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to biological research, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and world. Under his leadership, the school focuses on addressing global challenges such as climate change and diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and diabetes through team-based scientific innovation.

Research Interests: Dean LaFerla’s vision highlights priorities in:

• Neurodegenerative disease research
• Climate change mitigation through biology
• Interdisciplinary collaboration in biological sciences
• Multi-faceted solutions to health challenges
• Field-based and laboratory research integration

The school’s audacious founding principles continue to drive impactful discoveries under his guidance.