News

2024

Should we risk geoengineering to reverse climate change?

September 20, 2024

Animated icon of the Earth melting

Scientists in the quest to mitigate climate change have proposed new ideas in geoengineering. A prominent proponent of this strategy, UChicago professor David Keith, believes it is essential to continue research efforts in this field.


Why have record-breaking rains drenched the Carolinas and Europe?

September 20, 2024

Image of heavy rainfall

Recently, Central Europe and eastern North Carolina have been affected by devastating floods. Prof. Noboru Nakamura, from the Geophysical Sciences department, comments on the unusual environmental conditions in the United States.


A Nobel-Prize winner and astrophysicist on the origins of life

September 20, 2024

Drawing of Earth surrounded by stars

UChicago professor and Nobel Prize winner Jack Szostak is the co-author of a new book titled Is Earth Exceptional?: The Quest for Cosmic Life. In this new interview, Prof. Szostak and his co-author, astrophysicist Mario Livio, discuss the questions that fuel their scientific work.


Five UChicago CS students named to Siebel Scholars class of 2025

September 20, 2024

Siebel Scholars photo grid

Zewei Liao, Michael Rosenbaum, Brennan Schaffner, Lennart Maximilian Seifert, and Shawn Shan were selected to the prestigious program’s Class of 2025.


Was life on Earth inevitable or incredible?

September 19, 2024

Animated icon of the galaxy

In this opinion piece, Chemistry Prof. Jack W. Szostak discusses the mysteries behind the origins of life on Earth and how these questions can inform scientists' search for life elsewhere.


4 Questions with Scott A. Snyder

September 19, 2024

Portrait of Prof. Scott Snyder

Prof. Scott A. Snyder has been appointed as the new Master of the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division. In a new interview, he shares insights into his research, his upcoming duties, and what has made his experience at UChicago unique.


Introducing new faculty in the Physical Sciences Division 2024-25

September 19, 2024

new faculty members photo grid

Please welcome the faculty joining the Physical Sciences Division in the ’24–25 academic year.


UChicago offers new master’s program in environmental science

September 19, 2024

A new master’s program in environmental science at the University of Chicago will provide students with the foundational quantitative and data science skills needed across a wide range of environmental science disciplines, as well as the opportunity to specialize in areas such as climate science, biogeochemistry, ecology, and oceanography.
 


NSF and Simons Foundation launch $20 million National AI Research Institute in Astronomy

September 18, 2024

SkAI

SkAI Institute will develop AI tools and accelerate astronomy’s data-driven revolution.


U.K. to fund ‘small-scale’ outdoor geoengineering tests

September 17, 2024

Animated icon of global warming

A new $75 million investment in geoengineering research will analyze the efficacy of plans to artificially cool the planet. This initiative relates to the work and advocacy of UChicago Prof. David Keith, a leading figure in the field.


2024 Innovator of the Year: Shawn Shan builds tools to help artists fight back against exploitative AI

September 17, 2024

Photo of Shawn Shan

Shawn Shan, a PhD student in computer science, was named one of MIT Technology Review’s 2024 Innovators Under 35. Shan helped create Glaze and Nightshade, tools that allow artists to protect their work from AI scraping.


Beckman Foundation revisits Sarah King’s spectroscopic research

September 17, 2024

Portrait of Prof. Sarah King

In a new video, the Beckman Foundation highlights the research of UChicago Asst. Professor Sarah King in dynamic spectroscopy. King was a recipient of the 2020 Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Program award.


Third annual South Side Science Festival set to bring a day of discovery and scientific inspiration for all ages back to campus on October 5

September 17, 2024

Photo of Science Fair event

This October marks the return of  UChicago’s South Side Science Festival, fostering community between campus and South Side communities and expanding scientific engagement. The annual event is co-organized by the University’s Biological Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Division, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and Office of Civic Engagement.


Ben Zhao: One of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI

September 13, 2024

Photo-Illustration by TIME

The second edition of TIME100 AI showcases some of the most influential new leaders in AI research and technology. Featured in this year's list is UChicago's Computer Science professor Ben Zhao, the inventor of Nightshade, a program that helps protect artists' work from AI scraping.


Something is wrong with our understanding of the Universe and the closer we look the weirder it gets

September 13, 2024

Photo of the Planck satellite

Scientists' understanding of the universe is ever-evolving, and recent research has tackled some of the biggest questions in cosmology. Professor Wendy Freedman's work is among these landmark developments, using data from the James Webb Space Telescope to challenge the existence of the Hubble tension.