News

2025

Stuart A. Rice, UChicago professor who shaped the field of physical chemistry, 1932-2024

January 13, 2025

Stuart Rice

Distinguished scientist remembered for groundbreaking research, tireless teaching and mentorship.


24 people dead from California wildfires, evacuations still underway

January 13, 2025

California wildfires

Fox Local news story about the California wildfires features atmospheric scientist Elisabeth Moyer.


Fermilab Leadership Transition

January 13, 2025

Young-Kee Kim

University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos announced today that Lia Merminga has decided to step down from her role as director of Fermilab. Albert A. Michelson Distinguished Service Professor of Physics Young-Kee Kim will act as the interim director of Fermilab until a permanent replacement is found. Professor Kim’s tenure at the University of Chicago has spanned more than 20 years, and she served as deputy director of Fermilab from 2006 to 2013. 


Stuart A. Rice, groundbreaking physical chemist, 1957-2024

January 7, 2025

Stuart A Rice

Stuart Alan Rice, Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry and the James Franck Institute, and former dean of the Physical Sciences Division, died on December 22, 2024.


Prof. Wendy Freedman awarded National Medal of Science

January 7, 2025

Prof. Wendy Freedman holds medal with Arati Prabhakar in front of American flag

Prof. Wendy Freedman, one of world’s leading cosmologists, has been awarded the National Medal of Science, the country’s highest scientific honor. She was recognized for her pioneering contributions to cosmology, including the measurement of the expansion and evolution of the universe.

Photo by Ryan K. Morris, courtesy of the National Science & Technology Medals Foundation


A new spin on flow dynamics

January 6, 2025

Irvine's magnetic spinners

When William Irvine’s team put tiny magnetic particles in a fluid-filled chamber and spun them around, something unexpected happened. They began to flock together, splitting and merging like a school of fish. When they put lots of those particles in to swim, the suspension became a new phase of matter.


Thirty-one UChicago faculty members receive named, distinguished service professorships in 2025

January 6, 2025

Hening Lin (left) and Rebecca Willett

Two PSD faculty members have received named professorships. Hening Lin has been named the James and Karen Frank Family Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Chemistry and the College, and Rebecca Willett has been named the first Worah Family Professor in the Wallman Society of Fellows in the Departments of Statistics and Computer Science and the College.


What is quantum supremacy?

January 2, 2025

quantum computer

We may be on the cusp of quantum supremacy. But what does that actually mean? Bill Fefferman, assistant professor of computer science, weighs in.


The future lifespan of plants just got extended

January 2, 2025

Time until land plant extinction (Gyr) vs. CO2 outgassing rate

A trio of scientists from UChicago and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel has put forth a new model that pushes the terrestrial biosphere's lifetime out to 1.7 billion years.


A ‘Second Tree of Life’ could wreak havoc, scientists warn

January 2, 2025

abstract illustration of scientific iconography related to life

Research on so-called mirror cells, which defy fundamental properties of living organisms, should be prohibited as too dangerous, biologists said. 

“The consequences could be globally disastrous,” said Jack Szostak, who helped write a 299-page technical report on the risks of the research.


How the AI boom threatens to short-circuit climate action

January 2, 2025

papercut-like illustration of a keyboard with hands and a bird

The energy-devouring technology is giving new life to fossil fuels. CS professor Andrew Chien comments.


2024

Astronomers unveil their favorite discovery of 2024

December 24, 2024

illustration of silhouette looking through telescope

Wendy Freedman shares her standout discovery of the year.


What to read and watch over winter break 2024

December 24, 2024

students in Mansuetto

UChicago award winners share their selections for the holidays.


Looking back at 2024 at the University of Chicago

December 24, 2024

UChicago campus

UChicago retrospective article features PSD breakthroughs and accolades.


UChicago partners on new National Science Foundation large-scale research infrastructure for education

December 24, 2024

NSF logo

Researchers from Computer Science and DSI have received a $900,000 sub-award for their critical contributions to the NSF SafeInsights project, which aims to build a transformative infrastructure for inclusive education research at a national scale.