Physics
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New theories on dark matter’s origins point to ‘mirror world’ and universe’s edge
Two recent studies speculate a natural emergence of the mysterious substance, offering ‘self-contained and calculable scenarios’
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Coveted awards fuel astronomy, astrophysics research
Third-year undergraduate Isabelle “Izzy” Connor and two Ph.D. candidates at other universities have recently won awards to further their research in astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz. Connor (Crown ‘26, astrophysics) is a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholar, an honor awarded by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program to second- and third-year…
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Science Division staff honored with new award for outstanding service, dedication
Jeannette Peters, Patti Schell, and Deana Tanguay share division’s first Outstanding Staff Award
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UC Santa Cruz researchers honored in Hollywood style at Breakthrough Prize ceremony
Rebecca Jensen-Clem and researchers at Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics presented with lucrative awards nicknamed the ‘Oscars of Science’ on April 5
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SCIPP scientist Simone Mazza honored with international physics award
Simone Mazza, an assistant research scientist at the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP), has won an international award that recognizes contributions in the fields of fundamental interactions of matter. Mazza received the 2024 INFN Bruno Toushek Award from the Italian Scientists and Scholars of North America Foundation.
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Building the tools to explore new worlds
UC Santa Cruz Engineering Fellowship supports alumnus Michael Gonzales’ role with SCALES
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Physics experiment proves patterns in chaos in peculiar quantum realm
Where do you see patterns in chaos? It has been proven, in the incredibly tiny quantum realm, by an international team co-led by UC Santa Cruz physicist Jairo Velasco, Jr. In the journal Nature, the researchers detail an experiment that confirms a theory first put forth 40 years ago stating that electrons confined in quantum…
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Physics Department improves undergraduate experience for non-majors
Fundamental teaching strategies—making room for failure, and being explicit and transparent about how students’ knowledge will be assessed—combine to create an atmosphere that is more conducive to learning than traditional forms of physics instruction.
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Former UC Santa Cruz physicist Michael Riordan honored for historical narratives of his field
The American Physical Society awarded former UC Santa Cruz physicist Michael Riordan on October 15 with its Abraham Pais Prize for History of Physics.
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Science Division debuts ‘degree-defining experiences’ drawing on UC Santa Cruz’s unique strengths
The Science Division has received a $1 million donation to begin a major new program on “degree-defining experiences.” The program will pilot 17 projects across campus that aim to profoundly inspire undergraduate students and fill them with the kind of optimism that forever changes how they see their time at UC Santa Cruz and their…

