Why did life evolve error correction? UChicago researchers find that speed, not just fidelity, helps drive biological proofreading—changing our perspective on evolution.
See the Science article: tinyurl.com/ybxcj24w
Meet The Cube: UChicago’s new center for computational social science, uniting social, computer, and data science experts to explore how AI shapes society—and how society shapes AI. Discover more: tinyurl.com/5n8x7xk5
📣 Calling all UChicago researchers, students, and staff — the Science as Art contest returns! Celebrate scientific creativity: submit your research images by March 13 to win cash prizes and be showcased around campus and online.
Submit: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Join us for a virtual information session on 3/5 at 11 AM CST for the MS in Chemistry at UChicago. You'll learn more about our admissions process, curriculum, and life at UChicago.
apply-psd.uchicago.edu/register/?id...
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 special virtual information session for students in Asia on Feb. 26, at 6:30 PM India ST / 9:00 PM China ST.
bit.ly/3NUD1YO
Congratulations to PSD's Aloni Cohen (Computer Science and DSI), Anna Wuttig (Chemistry), and Zoe Yan (Physics) for earning Sloan Research Fellowships, which recognize early-career scholars’ potential to make substantial contributions to their fields.
news.uchicago.edu/story/eight-...
Open doors with a MS degree from UChicago in Applied Data Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Financial Mathematics. Join us for an International Virtual Information Session on Feb. 26 at 6:30 PM India ST / 9:00 PM China ST.
bit.ly/3NUD1YO
UChicago Prof. Marshini Chetty collaborated with law professors to demonstrate that dark patterns manipulate users despite explicit instructions to protect privacy, research that was honored with a Future of Privacy Forum’s 2026 Privacy Papers for Policymakers Award.
Full story: shorturl.at/90X1u
Congratulations to Prof. Bozhi Tian—recipient of the 2026 Marian and Stuart Rice Research Award for pioneering new ways to control biology with chemistry, semiconductors, and electrochemistry. Discover his groundbreaking work: physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article...
We are delighted to announce that Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb (A&A) and Donald Stull (Math) have been named the 25–26 Suzuki Postdoctoral Fellows! Their achievements advance our understanding of exoplanets and the foundations of mathematics. physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article...
Physics alum Dr. Kai Li, PhD’23, has been honored with the 2026 EuXFEL Young Scientist Award for breakthrough work in ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. In an interview, Kai reflects on mentorship at UChicago and the collaborative drive behind discovery. physicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/article...
UChicago’s Prof. B. B. Cael analyzed data from almost 2,000 climate disasters across decades—learning that infrastructure and preparedness saves lives, but risks are growing in vulnerable areas. climate.uchicago.edu/news/what-de...
What role could geoengineering play in our climate response? @UChicago’s Prof. David Keith explains the science, risks, and ethics in UChicago Magazine.
mag.uchicago.edu/science-medi...
UChicago Magazine interviews Edward W. “Rocky” Kolb—cosmologist, mentor, and former dean. His advice? Follow your passion. Read more:
mag.uchicago.edu/science-medi...
Illustration by Aaron Sacco
A new era for planetary science: UChicago’s most comprehensive Jupiter model ever offers key insights into the giant planet’s structure and history—changing what we know about planet formation. Full story: news.uchicago.edu/story/comput...
Congratulations to UChicago's Ranya Sharma on receiving the prestigious 2025 CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award! Her research into network security and infrastructure is shaping how we think about privacy and equity online. Read more: cs.uchicago.edu/news/ranya-s...
Hand squeezes stress ball
A team of UChicago biophysicists studied how ultra-thin films relieve stress through relaxation, finding it was triggered by a process called "shear banding.” This new model helps us better understand the mechanics of life’s thinnest layers. Link in the profile.
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/
