UChicago chemists have teamed up to reveal the surprising impact of circuit boards on health tech’s carbon footprint. With 2 billion devices expected yearly by 2050, small design changes can make big differences. Details here: news.uchicago.edu/story/health...

Please join us in welcoming Daniel T. Jaffe as President of the Giant Magellan Telescope. UChicago is a proud founding partner of the Giant Magellan Telescope and excited about the telescope's next chapter under Jaffe's leadership. giantmagellan.org/2026/01/13/g...

Want to build data science skills for environmental careers? Join us on Jan. 15 at 4 PM for an information session. https://apply-psd.uchicago.edu/register/?id=6772d20f-e9ed-4773-8424-bbd7d47fc01a

Five PSD faculty members receive named, distinguished service professorships in 2026. 🎉 Read more: https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/Five-PSD-faculty-members-receive-named-distinguished-service-professorships-2026/

Meet Ava Polzin, PhD student in Astronomy & Astrophysics at UChicago. She’s exploring how star formation is regulated in the universe’s smallest galaxies. Read the interview: https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/meet-ava-polzin-astronomy-astrophysics/

Why did Apoorva Gupta choose UChicago for his MS in Applied Data Science? For the challenging curriculum and the chance to grow. Full interview: https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/meet-apoorva-gupta-ms-in-applied-data-science/

UChicago astronomers found a “lemon-shaped” exoplanet with a carbon and helium atmosphere using NASA’s Webb Telescope—blurring lines between planets and stars. Read how this discovery challenges what we know: https://shorturl.at/ljga2

We are proud to congratulate Prof. Michael Rust, who was selected as an @pewtrusts Innovation Fund investigator! Prof. Rust is one of 14 researchers chosen to take on collaborative biomedical research projects advancing health and medicine. https://shorturl.at/YpIdX

🎉UChicago students Logan Hanssler and Elijah Jenkins have been named 2026 Marshall Scholars. PSCD’s Logan Hanssler (Astrophysics; Molecular Engineering) will study Optics and Photonics at Imperial College London and pursue a Physics research degree at Durham University. 🎉

Did Earth have a “celestial neighbor”? A new @UChicago study suggests our Moon formed after a collision with Theia—once nearby in the inner solar system. Chemical clues in rock samples reveal almost identical signatures, changing what we know about planetary origins. https://shorturl.at/AiH6O

Prof. Bozhi Tian is changing lives with his creative approach to medical technology. His team is inventing new devices—including flexible skin patches that use living cells to heal, and light-driven pacemakers—that are making healthcare smarter and more personal.

Join UChicago’s free annual 'Physics with a Bang!' for science and surprises tomorrow, Dec. 13! Watch scientists turn a cart into a rocket and try hands-on demos. Live shows at 11 and 2 and demos running from 11-4.  https://shorturl.at/fkgEk

Soumyabrata Kundu, PhD in Statistics: Computer vision, teaching, mentors, and city life—all at UChicago. Next: quant analyst in NYC! https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/meet-soumyabrata-kundu-statistics/

How close are we to “superhuman” senses? In the latest @UChicago Big Brains episode, computer scientist Pedro Lopes shares how wearable tech could expand what it means to be human—think touch, movement, even new senses. Listen in for a glimpse at our augmented future!  https://shorturl.at/c6xQf

Meet Roy Zhao, a second-year PhD student blending cutting-edge AI with cosmology. From Beijing to Vancouver and now Chicago, Roy finds purpose in research, teaching, and the strong community at UChicago. https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/meet-roy-zhao-physics/

Faculty Focus: Prof. Li Ma uses generative models & Bayesian methods to tackle new data science challenges with AI. "An exciting time to be a statistician."  https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/faculty-focus-li-ma-ab06-sm06/

Meet Isabel Krogh, MSFM ’25: Quant skills, campus life, & community in FinMath. Next stop: Graham Capital Management. Advice: Value the relationships you build!  https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/meet-isabel-krogh-financial-mathematics/

Join an MS program in the PSD at UChicago & engage with experts at the top of their fields in applied data sci, chemistry, computational & applied math, computational analysis & public policy, computer sci, data science, environmental sci, financial math, & statistics.  https://shorturl.at/KBwAH

Work in emerging fields at the intersections of data and technology with an MS from the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago. Register to attend a virtual information session on Dec. 4 at noon CST. https://apply-psd.uchicago.edu/register/?id=87e74b74-453a-42a3-97cb-f8f0a4286d4c

Even advanced AI models stumble at multiplying 4-digit numbers! New research reveals the secret: teaching AI to “remember” steps—not just memorize answers—dramatically boosts accuracy. https://cs.uchicago.edu/news/why-cant-powerful-llms-learn-multiplication/

This Saturday, Nov. 22, Profs. David Keith and Tiffany Shaw will discuss the field of climate systems engineering and its future implications. ⏰: 11am 📍: KCTP 106 and streaming at https:/ efi.uchicago.edu/events/compton-lecture-series/

Open doors with an MS from the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago. Register to attend a virtual information session on Dec. 4 at noon CST. https://apply-psd.uchicago.edu/register/?id=87e74b74-453a-42a3-97cb-f8f0a4286d4c

What are exoplanets? How do they form? How do we name them? Learn all this and more! https://shorturl.at/rHzwn

New UChicago research reveals mini-Neptunes—once thought molten—may have solid surfaces under heavy atmospheres. These common, mysterious planets reshape ideas of planet formation and habitability in the galaxy!  https://shorturl.at/Ns7gG

Groundbreaking: LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detected two epic black hole mergers just a month apart, revealing wild spins and new clues about their origins, confirming Einstein’s theory with record precision!  https://shorturl.at/y01QF

Next up in the Enrico Fermi Institute's Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series, Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM) Part 2: Consequences, featuring Profs. David Keith and Tiffany Shaw. ⏰: November 15th at 11am 📍 : KCTP 106 and streaming at https:/ efi.uchicago.edu/events/compton-lecture-series/

In Asst. Prof. Sarah Sebo's lab, researchers are programming robots to interact more intuitively and empathetically with humans to build trust and improve teamwork. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/sebo-lab-programming-robots-better-interact-humans

Join us for a virtual information session on 11/13 at 11 AM CST for the MS in Chemistry at UChicago. You'll learn more about our admissions process, curriculum, and life at UChicago. RSVP: https://apply-psd.uchicago.edu/register/?id=9edf18da-7cbd-42b1-8b9d-eeb6c5b39a15

Next up in EFI's Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series: Glaciers and a Journey Through Direct Air Capture.  Prof. David Keith and Doug MacAyeal will discuss the science of glaciers.  ⏰: November 8th at 11am 📍: KCTP 106 and streaming at https:/ efi.uchicago.edu/events/compton-lecture-series/

Join us for a virtual information session on 11/12 at 4 PM CST for the MS in Environmental Science at the University of Chicago. You'll learn more about our admissions process, curriculum, and life at UChicago and meet members of our program. RSVP: https://shorturl.at/sXdTv

Using data from the Dark Energy Survey, scientists are testing cosmic theories and confirming our best model for how everything works: the Lambda-CDM model to improve next-generation telescopes.

Scientists at UChicago & Argonne created an ultrathin transistor—just FOUR atoms thick. Faster, cooler, and even more energy-efficient computers, with mind-blowing potential for new discoveries. Traditional silicon just met its match. ⚡🔬 https://shorturl.at/ts50L

Meet Shape n’ Swarm: an award-winning tool from UChicago's AxLab that lets you design and control groups of tabletop robots by simply arranging them with your hands and speaking natural commands.

The U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, NVIDIA and Oracle will deliver the DOE’s largest AI supercomputer and accelerate scientific discovery.  https://news.uchicago.edu/story/department-energy-announces-partnership-argonne-nvidia-and-oracle-build-ai-supercomputers

This Saturday, Prof. David Keith will provide an overview of sunlight reflection methods (SRM) as part of Enrico Fermi Institute's Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series. ⏰: 11/1 at 11 AM 📍 : KCTP 106 and streaming at

The UChicago Department of Computer Science’s Human Computer Integration Lab highlights Galvanic Vestibular Simulation, tech that may help people relearn balance and orientation after injuries.  https://shorturl.at/YjTOn

In early September, prominent researchers in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, planetary sciences, and astronomy gathered at UChicago as part of the Origins Federation Conference to share and discuss research results related to how life emerged and evolved. https://shorturl.at/yRlpg

Chen Ning Yang, PhD’48, 1922-2025 “Yang’s pioneering work in theoretical physics revolutionized our understanding of nature’s fundamental laws and laid the groundwork for the Standard Model of particle physics.” -Ka Yee C. Lee, interim dean, PSD https://shorturl.at/0KuDv

The Space Explorers program offers Chicago students the opportunity to engage with hands-on learning such as circuitry, electrical work, and Arduino programming.  https://physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article/space-explorers-preparing-chicago-youth-for-the-future-since-1991/

Please join us for the next lecture in the Enrico Fermi Institute's Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series, Carbon Removal Part 2: A Deep Dive into the Methods. ⏰: 10/25, 11am 📍: KCTP 106 and streaming at https:/ efi.uchicago.edu/events/compton-lecture-series/

The star SDSS JO715-7334 is the most pristine object in the known universe. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2498843-exceptional-star-is-the-most-pristine-object-known-in-the-universe/ 📷: Josh Lake/NASA/ESA

Join us in congratulating PSD faculty on their outstanding achievements! 🏅Peter B Littlewood received the 2025 Institute of Physics Richard Glazebrook Medal and Prize. 🏅Jiwoong Park has been named the 2025 recipient of the David Turnbull Lectureship 🏅Abigail Vieregg has been named a 2025 APS Fellow.

On Oct. 18, Prof. Tiffany Shaw will explain the scientific basis for predicting how the climate changes in response to emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosol pollution and examines what climate models can and cannot tell us about what to expect.  https://shorturl.at/WdCzF

A UChicago initiative is transforming how low- and middle-income countries adapt to climate change by bringing weather forecasts built around human needs.

Join us at 11 AM on Oct. 11 for Carbon Removal Part 1: the Carbon Removal Landscape. Prof. Cael will introduce the carbon cycle and natural geochemical processes as a basis for explaining how humans might intervene in these cycles to deliberately remove carbon.  https://shorturl.at/WdCzF

In an episode Big Brains, Prof. Edwin Kite examines how we could terraform Mars to make the Red Planet habitable. New findings in a rock formation on Mars could point to ancient microbial activity.  https://news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-podcast-life-mars-it-possible-humans-edwin-kite

Saturday's Southside Science Festival was the largest event in the festival’s history, with more than 700 UChicago scientists and 200+ volunteers from across campus sharing STEM with approximately 4,300 kids and parents from across Chicago.

Thank you to all the scientists and scientists-to-be who made Saturday's Southside Science Festival one for the books! @uchicagopme.bsky.social

Join us for the annual South Side Science Festival TOMORROW, Oct. 4, from 11-6 to learn the physics of skateboarding, make your own kaleidoscope, study replicas of human fossils, and more! https://southsidescience.event.uchicago.edu

The Compton Lecture Series: An Intro to Climate Systems Engineering begins this Sat., Oct. 4, at 11 AM with Profs. David Keith and B.B. Cael presenting,  "Climate as a 4D Problem." All are welcome to join! Livestream available. https://efi.uchicago.edu/events/compton-lecture-series/