Physical Sciences

Making science come alive

UCI students educate, entertain children visiting Santa Ana museum.

A crowd-surfing student

2010 a year of challenges, achievement at UCI

In the past year, UC Irvine students, staff and faculty have stepped up in the face of continuing budget challenges and fee increases with innovation, drive and talent. The result? Research breakthroughs, national honors, global outreach, sports firsts – even a Guinness world record. Here are some top 2010 stories.

Reginald Penner and Reza Davari Ardakani

U.S., Iranian solar energy scientists convene at UCI

Meeting provides a collegial counterpoint to stormy political environment.

John C. Hemminger new vice chancellor for research

Physical sciences dean since 2006, the renowned chemist is a ‘committed campus collaborator.’

Looking back into the future

UC Irvine physics professor and award-winning science fiction author Gregory Benford will write the introductory essays for “The Wonderful Future That Never Was,” a collection of predictions made in the pages of “Popular Mechanics” that reflects societies hopes and fears.

James Bullock

UCI cosmologist gives TV audiences a tour of Milky Way

Cosmologist and TV co-host James Bullock helps people see the really big picture — from the Milky Way to the farthest reaches of the universe. He’s one of the “bright young stars” in his field.

Reg Penner

UCI’s doctoral programs on the fast track

National Research Council ranks several UC Irvine doctoral programs among the tops in the nation. Young programs are on an upward trajectory.

James Bullock

UCI’s galactic tour guide

James Bullock thinks bigger than most. Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, he wasn’t particularly fascinated by stars. He believes he first noticed the night sky at his grandparents’ North Carolina farm, but he’s not sure. What interests the UC Irvine professor of physics & astronomy is the whole shebang — the entire universe. “A cosmologist […]

Roger McWilliams

Old-fashioned physicist invents futuristic tools

With his bow ties and seersucker suits, Roger McWilliams might appear to be old-fashioned, but the UCI physicist invents futuristic laser tools that have advanced everything from telecommunications to healthcare.

Ervin Meneses, a summer intern in Reginald Penner's chemistry lab at UCI

Teen goes for gold in UCI chemistry lab

Santa Ana teen excels at UCI Physics lab summer program.