All are welcome to attend our COVID-19 Community Chat on Saturday April 15, 2023 from 9am-3 pm. This event will bring together scientists, physicians, and local government representatives to discuss with you the latest research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Riverside County. 

We hope to provide an open platform for informative and insightful discussions, and help us better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our community.  This event will cover a range of topics, including the latest findings of our scientific research, public health policy, and community response to the pandemic. 

As a token of our appreciation, we will be providing breakfast and lunch, on us, to all attendees. Parking is free in lot 24 for the day. 

The community chat will be held at UC Riverside’s Multidisciplinary Research Building. Space is limited to the first 100 registrants.  RSVP here to confirm your attendance.  We will also have free parking available on site to facilitate your visit to our campus. Don't forget to participate in our raffles for a chance to win some exciting prizes!

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our event and making it a memorable experience for you! 

All are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. 

Tentative Agenda: 

8:30-9:15: Registration, Grab-and-go Breakfast, and poster set-up

9:20-9:30: Opening Remarks: Dr. Rodolfo Torres, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics 

9:30-10:30: Morning session
Each speaker will briefly discuss their work and then open the floor to attendees for comments and questions

9:30-10:00: Community impacts of COVID in Riverside. Edward Coronado, Office of Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson (9:30-10:00)

10:00-10:30: How COVID impacts immune and lung health, Dr. Nair and Dr. Heinrich, UCR School of Medicine 

10:30-10:50: Coffee Break

10:50-11:50: Late Morning session

10:50-11:20: Treating COVID, what we have learned, the physician’s perspective, Dr. Merill and Dr. Ulrich  

11:20-11:50: Addressing Health misinformation from a public policy approach—Dr. Carpiano, UCR School of Public Policy 

11:50-12:10: Lunch

12:10-2:00: Roundtables and poster session
Open discussion with morning speakers and poster viewing

Roundtable topics:

Community Perspective and feedback on COVID impact in Riverside.
Dr. Susan Hackwood, Troy Alaama 

Public Policy Perspective on the impact of COVID in our community.
Dr. Rich Carpiano, Sarah Bobardt

Ongoing Scientific Research at UCR on long COVID
Dr. Erica Heinrich, Dr. Meera Nair

Physicians treating COVID in Riverside and health outcomes
Dr. Michael Ulrich, Dr. Patrick Merrill

2:00-2:30 Closing: “What have we learned and where do we go from here”  
Raffle prizes and awards for posters