An Empowering Legacy: Stanley Behrens Fellowship Paves the Way for Future Scholars, Scientists & Trailblazers

Opening doors for the next generation of scholars, scientists and trailblazers.

Stanley Behrens has spent a lifetime chasing headlines and advancing knowledge – first as a globetrotting newsprint salesman and later as a visionary philanthropist. His connection to UC Irvine began in 1988 with a gift to support undergraduate scholarships and deepened in 2016 with the creation of the Stanley Behrens Fellows in Medicine – the first basic science research graduate fellowship funded by an individual at the School of Medicine.

Now 103, Behrens remains deeply engaged. His endowments continue to fund scholarships for students who show promise not only in academics but also in leadership, curiosity and service.

Behrens’ late wife, Jessica, introduced him to UC Irvine through her involvement with the ARCS Foundation. The couple shared a love of music, travel and philanthropy. Together, they believed deeply in the power of education and research to make the world better.

“Research is one of America’s strong points, and it’s happening right here at UC Irvine,” Behrens said. “I felt it was important to contribute to that leading-edge work.”

Behrens’ endowments ensure students receive more than financial aid; they gain mentorship, meaningful research opportunities and a foundation for future success.

“Mr. Behrens genuinely connects with the promise young scientists possess,” said Klemens Hertel, former associate dean for graduate studies and professor and chair in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. “His support motivates deeper discovery.”

Behrens has helped more than 90 UC Irvine students pursue their dreams – and he’s not done. “It would be great,” he said with a smile, “to get a couple of Nobel prizes for UC Irvine.”

Stanley Behrens Fellows in Medicine

Ronaldo Ruiz-Vega, PhD ’17
Staff Scientist, Quest Diagnostics
“Receiving the Stanley Behrens Fellowship in Medicine was an honor that propelled both my research and my confidence as a scientist. At a critical moment in my PhD journey, this fellowship ensured I had the resources to finish strong. It gave me the freedom to think more boldly, ask bigger questions and gain the confidence I needed to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in computational biology.

“The work I began as a Behrens Fellow led to multiple publications and laid the foundation for my current role as a staff scientist at Quest Diagnostics, where I’ve developed high throughput sequencing assays for molecular genetics and infectious disease diagnostics, contributing to national COVID-19 genomic surveillance efforts in collaboration with the CDC.”

Lauren Urban, PhD ’20
Data Scientist, Pager Health
“The Behrens Fellows in Medicine program was incredibly important to my success at UC Irvine and beyond. I remember speaking with Mr. Stanley Behrens during the fellowship application process and was struck by his kindness and enthusiasm for research and its medical applications. The recognition of the fellowship – and more directly, the encouragement from Mr. Behrens himself regarding the therapeutic applications of my work – reignited a passion for my research and PhD journey that I had lost. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to convey to Mr. Behrens how much the fellowship meant to me.”