In Memoriam: Olga Radko, 45, Mathematician
Olga Radko, professor of mathematics, passed away June 29, 2020, she was 45, and fought a hard battle against ovarian cancer for the past 2.5 years. Radko was a huge asset to the UCLA community and was known for her pioneering work on the complete classification of two-dimensional Poisson structures.
Radko also made a huge impact on the mathematics community in Los Angeles, she founded the Los Angeles Math Circle in 2007 and inspired many young schoolchildren to pursue mathematics in the future.
Read more here.
Space Physics professor receives trio of honors
Margaret Kivelson – distinguished professor emerita of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences – recently earned three prestigious honors: election to the Royal Society, Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Centennial Medal, and an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of Leicester.
Kivelson joined UCLA in 1967 as an assistance research geophysicist, and continued on as a professor and later department chair for EPSS. These honors recognize Kivelson’s work in shaping our understanding of Earth and other planets.
Click here to read more about this trailblazing pioneer, and click here to watch a video of Prof. Kivelson talking about her life and work.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science honors chemistry professor
Jorge Torres, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been involved with SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) was named the organization’s Mentor of the Month.
Torres, who grew up as a field worker in Texas alongside his immigrant parents, told SACNAS that he finds meaning in being able to utilize his own skills to aid and encourage students who may be in a similar position as he was growing up.
Click here to read more.
Click here to read more news stories from UCLA’s Division of Physical Sciences
Events
New Student Welcome Events
Throughout the summer, the Division of Physical Sciences will present small, online gatherings for incoming freshmen and transfer students to ask questions of current Physical Sciences undergrads, alumni, and faculty, and hear advice about making the most of being a student in the sciences at UCLA. Stay tuned for dates and sign-up information, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
Updates on COVID-19 from UCLA
The Division of Physical Sciences is working to provide faculty, students, and families with the most helpful resources and information during this time.
Click here for updates from the Division, the UCLA Newsroom, and the Daily Bruin.
Remote Teaching, Learning, and Wellness Resources
UCLA Physical Sciences Remote Learning Resource Page
Science and technology have never been more critical. UCLA and the Division of Physical Sciences are working hard to offer as many tools and helpful connections for our students and faculty to ensure the level of educational excellence for which UCLA is known.
Click here for our online resource page, which will be continually updated as new services and initiatives are announced.
Alumni Spotlight: Jiaxing Huang to develop self-sanitizing medical face mask
Alumnus Jiaxing Huang received funding to develop a new-self sanitizing medical face mask that deactivates viruses on contact. Huang’s team will investigate antiviral chemicals that can be safely built into masks to self-sanitize the passing respiratory droplets.
Huang a professor at Northwestern University. His research team was provided funding by a rapid response research grant from the National Science Foundation, which has called for immediate proposals that have potential to address the spread of COVID-19.
Click here to read more.
Spotlight: Video Page
The Physical Sciences Video Page features learning tools, research updates, science talks, and more.
Alumni Spotlight: Kennen MacKay
Kennen MacKay, a UCLA Chemistry and Biochemistry alumnus and RBC biotech analyst, has been tracking the COVID-19 virus and the impact of social distancing. He spoke with CNBC about the patterns he has seen, including some worst- and best-case scenarios.
Read about MacKay’s projections by clicking here. Click here to watch his interview with CNBC.
Successful Remote Learning Efforts: Physics Labs
After UCLA announced that the entirety of spring quarter would be taught remotely because of COVID-19, professors in the physics and astronomy department including Katsushi Arisaka, made great efforts to create meaningful physics labs virtual.
Students in the Physics 4AL, 4BL, or 5CL classes were able to order affordable equipment to allow them to get started with designing their own programming and robotics experiments from their bedrooms and over Zoom. Professor Arisaka has always tried to find new ways to prepare students for future success, and the restructuring of this class was just one of them.
Giving
Our world-changing research is helped by your gifts. Read about the ways your donation to the Division of Physical Sciences will further discoveries and student opportunities by clicking here.
Latest giving news:
Professor emeritus gives $1 million to bring visiting mathematics faculty to UCLA
Physical sciences receives gifts to support climate change research and education
