Variety reported that the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and the Sundance Institute have set a collaboration to develop the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers. The five-year agreement is targeted to begin in September. The pact combines UCLA’s academic resources with Sundance Institute’s experience and Sundance Collab’s international community of more than 130,000 artists across 177 countries. (UCLA’s Celine Parreñas Shimizu was quoted. Also: KABC-TV, KNBC-TV and LAist.) Read more about UCLA in today’s KNBC-TV and the Advocate.

More highlights from UCLA in the News: July 16, 2026

Boyle Heights air contains toxins, UCLA researchers confirm | KNBC-TV

UCLA researchers’ air quality testing results from Boyle Heights have confirmed odor-related compounds found in the air samples were consistent with decomposing food materials, NBC Los Angeles learned Wednesday. Despite the overwhelming stench of rotting food from the Lineage warehouse, the measured concentrations collected from the Lineage warehouse do not meet the thresholds to trigger public health emergencies, the researcher said. But they may still contribute to irritation, headaches and other health issues for neighbors. (UCLA’s Yifang Zhu was quoted.)  

Blood test may identify Alzheimer’s risk years before symptoms appear | NTD

In a statement, Ron Brookmeyer, a professor of biostatistics at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health and a co-author of the study, said the findings could help identify people who may benefit from future treatments. “Identifying who is at high risk is important,” Brookmeyer said. “Treatments currently under development may work better in slowing or preventing dementia if started early before the onset of symptoms.”

Uptick in cyclosporiasis cases across U.S. | KABC-TV

“Is it a common farm? Is it a common region? What is the common denominator here?” asked UCLA’s Anne Rimoin (approx. 1:12 mark. Rimoin was also interviewed by KTLA-TV.)

RFK Jr. rolls back rule protecting LGBTQ+ kids in foster care | The Advocate

Research, including from the Williams Institute at UCLA’s Law School, consistently shows that LGBTQ+ young people are overrepresented in foster care and fare worse within the system. The consequences extend beyond where children are placed.