News: Faculty

2025

A massive endeavor

June 23, 2025

visualization of a muon-producing collision

UChicago physicist Karri DiPetrillo is on a mission to bring a muon collider to fruition.


Abby Vieregg, David N. Schramm Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics

June 23, 2025

Photo of Abigail Vieregg outdoors

Abby Vieregg, David N. Schramm Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, has been reappointed in this role effective August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028.


John Carlstrom, Chair of the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

June 23, 2025

John Carlstrom

John Carlstrom, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor, has been appointed as chair of the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.


Edward Anders, who duped Nazis and illuminated the cosmos, dies at 98

June 20, 2025

Edward Anders in 1985 in front of Ruth Duckworth’s “Earth, Water, Sky” sculpture inside the Henry Hinds Laboratory

His research unraveled mysteries about the solar system and the demise of the dinosaurs. In retirement, he turned his attention to the Holocaust.


New data tool tracks pesticides’ impact on public health and the environment

June 16, 2025

Image containing the words

The California People and Pesticides Explorer equips citizens with visibility into pesticide use and its effects.


How does life rebound from mass extinctions? Scientists find surprising answers

June 16, 2025

Examining the fallout from the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period, researchers found that the species that survived weren’t random.

Study by UChicago, Smithsonian, UK Natural History Museum challenges assumptions about survival after global catastrophe.


Tiny fragment of asteroid giving Field Museum scientists a glimpse 4.6 billion years into the past

June 16, 2025

Photo of an asteroid in space.

The Field Museum is the new temporary home to a tiny piece of pristine asteroid. The fragment of the asteroid Bennu, on loan from NASA, won't be on display for visitors, but will give scientists the chance to study an asteroid sample uncontaminated by Earth's atmosphere.


Trump’s crackdown on foreign student visas could derail critical AI research

June 16, 2025

Photo of a visa with various markings and stamps.

Rebecca Willett comments on the crackdown of student visas. The US says it will “aggressively revoke” Chinese student visas and has paused interviews for all student visa applicants. Experts warn the moves could weaken American leadership in STEM.
 


The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the oldest galaxy in the universe

June 16, 2025

Depiction of galaxy in the black void of space.

Asst. Prof. Harley Katz discusses the finding of the oldest galaxy in the universe and how that affects our understanding of astronomy. 


Epic effort to ground physics in math opens up the secrets of time

June 16, 2025

Yu Deng usually studies the behavior of systems of waves. But by applying his expertise to the realm of particles, he has now resolved a major open problem in mathematical physics.

By proving mathematically how individual molecules create the complex motion of fluids, three mathematicians, including Yu Deng, have illuminated why time can’t flow in reverse.
 


A surprising study found hints of biological activity on a distant planet. Now, scientists say there’s more to the story.

June 16, 2025

An artist's concept shows what K2-18b might look like. Thought to be covered entirely in liquid water with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, the exoplanet may be a good place to look for biological activity.

Analysis by Rafael Luque and Michael Zhang casts doubt on the detection of biosignatures. 


‘Theoretical rigor with practical application’: UChicago master’s in data science and computer science

June 12, 2025

Fouad Bousetouane teaches a generative AI course at UChicago, where he helps mentor the next generation of master’s students. The co-founder and chief AI officer at 2ndsight.ai, Bousetouane is a renowned expert in AI and machine learning—and one of th

Students and faculty reflect upon the programs in data science and computer science, as well as how they provide real-world skills and hands-on experience in a supportive environment. 


Understanding ocean rebound after mass extinction events could help us in the future

June 12, 2025

This lineage was widespread and abundant in the Late Cretaceous, but just a few species survive today off the coasts of Australia

David Jablonski discusses how ecosystems recover from extinction events and how we can best prepare for the next one. 


Is the hubble tension starting to go away?

June 12, 2025

Above, Webb’s image of one such galaxy, known as NGC 1365.

Scientists led by Wendy Freedman have made a new calculation of the speed at which the universe is expanding, using the data taken by the powerful new James Webb Space Telescope on multiple galaxies. 


Mina Lee, University of Chicago professor “AI is a partner in thinking together”

June 12, 2025

Professor Mina Lee of the University of Chicago(UChicago).

Mina Lee shares insights into her research on AI and writing, and discusses the future of LLMs.