Physical Sciences | UC San Diego

09/01/2026

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting that the 2026/2027 El Niño could be among the strongest on record. Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has a long history of researching, tracking and understanding El Niño events and impacts. Here are your questions about El Niño answered: https://bit.ly/4gluF8p

08/31/2026

Until now there was an upper limit to the energy produced by atoms irradiated with laser light. Now UC San Diego researchers have crossed the threshold using helium atoms and intense UV lasers.

Until now there was an upper limit to the energy produced by atoms irradiated with laser light. Now UC San Diego researchers have crossed the threshold using helium atoms and intense UV lasers.

08/28/2026

We are happy to announce that our dean of the School of Physical Sciences Christine Hrycyna will be UC San Diego's next executive vice chancellor. Read more about Chris's career and the role of the EVC here:

Christine A. Hrycyna has been appointed as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UC San Diego, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

08/27/2026

If you were the king of the seas, how would you spend your perfect summer day? https://bit.ly/3UVM6nz

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08/25/2026

Space is our jam!🪐 UC San Diego has launched a new microsite all about space. Highlighting all the ways we're leading the way in astronomy and astrophysics as well as life science, engineering and planetary science research. Take a look: https://bit.ly/4imC6gW

08/24/2026

A team of UC San Diego researchers will lead one of the Department of Energy’s new Genesis Mission projects focused on accelerating fundamental physics and by deploying intelligent AI agents. https://bit.ly/4qAKsnu

University of California San Diego researchers will lead one of the Department of Energy’s new Genesis Mission projects focused on accelerating fundamental physics and quantum computing by deploying intelligent AI agents.

08/21/2026

Scientists have long-wondered how sheets of cells begin to move together to form organs. UC San Diego researchers used live imaging, genetic experiments and mathematical modeling to understand how cells in the fruit fly egg chamber synchronize movement with each other.

Scientists have long-wondered how sheets of cells begin to move together to form organs. UC San Diego researchers used live imaging, genetic experiments and mathematical modeling to understand how cells in the fruit fly egg chamber synchronize movement with each other.

08/19/2026

The recent discovery of gas giant Beta Pictoris d was big news. Aidan Gibbs, lead author of the paper on the discovery, explains why finding exoplanets can help us better understand our own solar system and home planet.

UC San Diego postdoc Aidan Gibbs explains why finding exoplanets, which orbit around stars other than our sun, can help us better understand our own solar system and home planet.

08/18/2026

UC San Diego Chemistry Professor Mark Thiemens' office seems more like a museum than a place to do work. Artifacts from his global travels are tucked away between brimming bookshelves. Prayer flags from Tibet drape one side of the room. On the other, a meteorite sits under a plastic cover.

He’s spent decades studying isotopes, elements with a different number of neutrons, in remote places. Now, he is being awarded with America's oldest science prize. Reporting by Carly Kay / KPBS

Mark Thiemen's decades of research on isotopes changed what scientists know about earth’s origins.

08/14/2026

Space is our jam!🪐 UC San Diego has launched a new microsite all about space. Highlighting all the ways our campus is leading the way in astronomy and astrophysics as well as life science, engineering and planetary science research. Take a look at space.uscd.edu.