UCI picked to lead new galaxy evolution center

UC Irvine has been chosen to lead the new Southern California Center for Galaxy Evolution, the largest institute of its kind in the world. With about $1.3 million over five years in UC Multicampus Research Programs & Initiatives funding, the center brings together 26 scientists from UC campuses in Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Diego to research how galaxies such as the Milky Way emerged from the big bang. UCI faculty participants include director James Bullock (pictured), Aaron Barth, Betsy Barton, David Buote, Asantha Cooray, Manoj Kaplinghat and Tammy Smecker-Hane. The institute will complement UCI’s Center for Cosmology.