EVENT: UCI will screen the short documentary “Relentless,” which profiles Orange County extreme-sports athlete Marty O’Connor, whose unceasing work ethic and pursuit of his goals enabled him to forge a new sense of self after a freak accident rendered him quadriplegic. After the film, Frank LaFerla, dean of the School of Biological Sciences, will emcee an audience conversation with O’Connor, followed by brief presentations on the newest advances in the treatment of spinal cord injuries by experts at UCI’s School of Medicine and Reeve-Irvine Research Center.

WHEN/WHERE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the Pacific Ballroom at UCI’s Student Center (bldg. 113, grid D5 on campus map: https://parking.uci.edu/maps/documents/2020-UCI-CampusCoreMap.pdf)

INFORMATION: Free and open to the public, although preregistration is strongly recommended at https://www.bio.uci.edu/event/relentless. Parking is available for $10 in the Student Center Parking Structure. Media planning to attend should contact Sheri Ledbetter at ledbetts@uci.edu or 949-824-0343. Parking is complimentary for media who RSVP in advance.

BACKGROUND: “Relentless,” a first-time film project by Orange County native Shelby Thompson, was an official selection for the 2019 Ojai Film Festival and a finalist for the 2019 Student Academy Awards. The UCI screening event – which culminates with a reception and meet-and-greet with participants – is presented by the School of Biological Sciences and co-hosted by the Reeve-Irvine Research Center. For more information, visit https://www.bio.uci.edu/event/relentless.

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