News: 2024

November

Data privacy tips for college students

November 23, 2024

A student using a computer

With increased cybersecurity risks, experts recommend that students become proactive in protecting their data. UChicago Associate Prof. Marshini Chetty comments on the steps college students can take to preserve their information. 


Decoding the Universe: Quantum

November 23, 2024

Quantum icon

In this new episode of the PBS series Decoding the Universe, UChicago scientists David Awschalom and Nadya Mason join a conversation on the importance and latest questions in the realm of quantum research.


This AI system makes human tutors better at teaching children math

November 23, 2024

A stack of books

A new AI tool called Tutor CoPilot aims to assist educators with individualized tutoring. UChicago Computer Science Asst. Prof. Mina Lee comments on the potential of this technology in the field of education.


Study: Black plastic cookware, containers & toys could pose serious health risk

November 23, 2024

black plastic cookware

Dr. John Anderson, Associate Chair of the Chemistry department at UChicago, talks to NBC 5 about the presence of toxic chemicals in recycled plastics that are used for food containers, utensils, and even toys. 


The AI lab waging a guerrilla war over exploitative AI

November 23, 2024

Drawing of a monster

Created by UChicago scientists in the SAND Lab, the tools Glaze and Nightshade are helping artists fight back against exploitative generative AI practices. As the project continues, the team has faced backlash from sectors of the AI community but has also received encouragement from the broader scientific and artistic community. 
 


Researchers disagree about the speed of gen AI adoption. But one thing’s clear: The tech is increasingly everywhere

November 23, 2024

Image of a hurricane

AI tools are proliferating, leading to more people and industries adopting this technology. At UChicago, scientists explored the possibility that an AI model could help predict extreme weather events. However, the results demonstrated that AI climate models are still in need of more advanced strategies if they are to provide warnings for the most extreme weather scenarios.


Meet Abigail Poteshman, Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics

November 20, 2024

Abigail Poteshman

Abigail Poteshman, a fifth-year PhD student in the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics, conducts research in method development for modeling and characterizing quantum materials, such as ferroelectrics and spin-defects in semiconductors.


Meet Chiza Mwinde, Geophysical Sciences

November 19, 2024

Chiza Mwinde

Chiza Mwinde, a fifth-year PhD student in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences, focuses on measuring element variations in evaporite minerals, which helps reconstruct factors like the pH and elemental composition of ancient seawater.


Meet Jihee You, Data Science

November 18, 2024

Jihee You

Jihee You, a first-year PhD student in Data Science, studies topics related to machine learning—specifically, explainable AI and graph neural networks.


Moellering Lab finds single-cell chemoproteomics reveal enzyme signature in aggressive breast cancers

November 13, 2024

Symbol of breast cancer awareness

A landmark study published in Science Advances by the Ray Moellering lab has introduced a novel method for analyzing enzyme activity in individual cells within breast cancers.


Odd fluids, odder behavior: Breaking the rules of physics in liquid form

November 13, 2024

Portrait of Carlos Floyd

In a new study published in Physical Review Research, Carlos Floyd, a postdoctoral fellow working with the Suri Vaikuntanathan group, investigates non-equilibrium materials, shedding light on their unique properties and potential implications for understanding biological systems.


Professor Emeritus James Norris to receive inaugural “Spin Chemistry Lifetime Achievement Award” at the RSC ESR Conference 2025

November 13, 2024

Portrait of Prof. Norris

Professor Emeritus James Norris received the inaugural "Spin Chemistry Lifetime Achievement Award" from the ESR Spectroscopy group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. This award is designed to honor scientists who have made groundbreaking contributions to the field of spectroscopy.


Rainwater’s role in stabilizing protocells: postdoc Aman Agrawal pens new perspective on life’s origins

November 13, 2024

Photo of Agrawal

In a new interview, postdoctoral scholar Aman Agrawal discusses his work in the Jack Szostak lab exploring the origins of life on Earth, focusing on early cellular structures and examining the potential impact of rainwater in stabilizing these primitive forms of life.


Making plastic more recyclable

November 13, 2024

Photo of Marsden

Graduate student Sam Marsden is working on creating a new form of polymer that will be as strong as polyethylene but as recyclable as PET. Mardsen is currently part of the Rowan Group, which focuses on supramolecular chemistry research.


The MS in Applied Data Science Program celebrates 10 years

November 13, 2024

Photo of event at Remington’s Chicago

This October marked a significant milestone with the 10th anniversary of its MS in Applied Data Science program. This accomplishment was celebrated at a reception held at Remington’s in Chicago, where alumni, faculty, and industry leaders came together to commemorate the program and connect with one another.