Mathematical & Physical Sciences

How Berkeley shaped NASA’s newest space telescope

October 15, 2026
By Robert Sanders

The Roman Space Telescope realizes an idea conceived at UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab. A Berkeley astronomer now leads a large group of scientists who hope to reap the benefits.

Berkeley helped make IceCube a success — and earn its leader the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics

October 8, 2026
By Robert Sanders

When Francis Halzen first proposed an experiment in the Antarctic ice to detect high-energy neutrinos, Berkeley’s Buford Price was all in.

Hernan Garcia receives 2026 Schmidt Polymaths award

September 25, 2026

Hernan Garcia, associate professor of molecular & cell biology and physics at UC Berkeley is among the eight 2026 Schmidt Polymaths who will receive a combined total of up to $20 million to take their research in ambitious new directions. Dr. Garcia will adapt rapid gene-editing and screening methods for use in plants to develop more climate-resilient crops.

The Schmidt Polymaths award recognizes proven records of...

In new paper, first-year astrophysics student discovers three potential backsplash galaxies

October 6, 2026
by Alexander Rony
A UC Berkeley freshman’s high school research leads to a rare astrophysical discovery

Hitoshi Murayama becomes the new director of the Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics

October 5, 2026
by Alexander Rony

UC Berkeley’s Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics entered a new chapter last Thursday. Professor Hitoshi Murayama succeeded his colleague, Yasunori Nomura, whose ten-year tenure profoundly shaped the institute’s trajectory.

“I’m honored to be named the director of the Leinweber Institute for...

The eruption that destroyed Pompeii is helping scientists date Earth’s history

September 25, 2026
Historical accounts of the eruption nearly 2,000 years ago provide a precise timeline that allowed recalibration of one of the most versatile dating methods.

UC Berkeley welcomes rising stars in math and physics

September 14, 2026
by Alexander Rony

UC Berkeley is welcoming a powerhouse lineup of trailblazing scientists to advance its research enterprise.

The Division of Mathematical & Physical Sciences has completed six searches for new faculty members. All six will join UC Berkeley as assistant professors: Aaron Calderon, Srivatsav Kunnawalkam Elayavalli, and Kevin Yang in the Department of Mathematics and Ethan Lake, Carolina Figueiredo, and Patrick Ledwith...

Troper Scholars Program Opens Doors to Advanced Math

September 10, 2026
by Alexander Rony

This summer, Diego Jimenez grappled for months with a daunting math problem — by choice — to confirm his interest in an academic career. Jimenez took part in the Marco Troper Summer Scholars Program, a new offering from UC Berkeley’s Department of Mathematics where undergraduates perform work in pairs on complex mathematical challenges. Their goal: produce an original research paper for publication.

“This was my first...

UC Berkeley Welcomes QuantrolOx to its Quantum Innovation Corridor

September 8, 2026
by Alexander Rony

Quantum researchers and campus leaders heralded the arrival of QuantrolOx at UC Berkeley’s Roger Herst Quantum Nexus. The occasion marks the first U.S. office for QuantrolOx, establishing a foothold for the qubit automation company at a leading quantum research hub.

Alex Filippenko named 2026 Dorothea Klumpke-Roberts Awardee

September 8, 2026
by Alexander Rony

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific announced that Distinguished Professor of Astronomy Alex Filippenko will receive its 2026 Dorothea Klumpke-Roberts Award. The award recognizes noteworthy individuals who have helped the public understand and appreciate astronomy.