Questions of the Universe
The Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) profoundly shapes the careers of emerging scientists. They come from a variety of sub-fields of theoretical physics with a shared purpose: to take advantage of KITP’s unique environment, participate in research programs with leading scientists from around the world, find career mentors, and broaden their understanding of physics. UC Santa Barbara Foundation Trustee Glenn Duval ’80 and Virginia Castagnola-Hunter, founding member of the Friends of KITP, are two of many stalwart supporters who focus their efforts on early-career scientists through the KITP Graduate Fellowship and KITP Postdoctoral Scholars program.
“UC Santa Barbara gives scientists time and space to contemplate the largest and most powerful forces in the universe,” said Glenn. “Our Pacific Ocean, under crystal clear skies, creates a physical canvas that physicists can paint upon. There is no place in the world where people are free to collaborate in such a picturesque setting!”
Established in 1979, KITP is the foremost scientific research facility for theorists in physics and allied fields to explore new ideas and collaborate on questions at the leading edges of science. KITP’s hallmark activities are long-stay, scientist-curated programs that encompass the broad and diverse physics community and encourage interdisciplinary and global connections.
Every year, the KITP Graduate Fellows Program offers a competitive opportunity for 16 outstanding graduate students to spend six months at KITP. Each graduate fellow is mentored and encouraged to participate in KITP programs and community talks. Their talent, combined with access to a world-class scientific community, has produced impressive results. Over half of KITP graduate fellows serve in faculty positions, with the rest working in organizations such as the Los Alamos National Lab and CERN or in industry.
KITP Graduate Fellow Christopher O’Connor first learned about the opportunity from his doctoral advisor at Cornell University. An upcoming two-month program on white dwarf stars matched his research topic. When Chris received his acceptance, it felt like being accepted to college all over again — pure excitement for the future. At KITP, he worked closely with Director Lars Bildsten, Gluck Professor of Theoretical Physics.
“The project I carried out laid a foundation for several others I will pursue as a postdoctoral scholar, including some in collaboration with scientists I met at KITP. It’s clear that my experience will have a lasting positive impact on my academic career,” said Christopher.
“I had a wonderful time working with Chris,” said Bildsten. “Even before he arrived, he reached out to talk with me about the scientific work he was eager to undertake while at KITP. The work we did together to better understand how a star responds to the engulfment of a Jupiter sized planet pulled me in new directions I had never imagined. It was a joy to have an early-career scientist actively reset what I’m thinking about!”
The KITP Postdoctoral Scholars program selects about six new scholars out of 600 applicants each year. They join a cohort of 12-15 scholars in residence to broaden their perspective on theoretical physics and work closely with mentors. In addition to scientific advice, KITP faculty mentors provide guidance on papers, presentations and the subsequent job search. In turn, scholars hone their pedagogic skills by mentoring KITP graduate fellows, working with UC Santa Barbara graduate students and engaging in outreach activities
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For Friends of KITP like Virginia “Ginnie” Castagnola-Hunter, this program is a chance to engage with a bright community of scholars while supporting its growth. Ginnie’s long-standing legacy at KITP can also be seen in the Castagnola-Hunter Tower Room of Kohn Hall, where many of these young scientists gather to work.
“This is an investment in the future,” said Ginnie. “Private support of the endowment that sustains postdoctoral scholars ensures that KITP has the resources to train and launch them in perpetuity, independent of outside circumstances such as the changing funding landscape for science. Investigating and understanding the universe is the key to our future.”
Special thanks to:
- Anonymous
- Dr. Muthiyaliah and Rani Babu
- Dr. Mani Bhaumik
- David and Carolyn* Brown
- Virginia Castagnola-Hunter
- Sarah and Roger Chrisman
- Glenn ’80 and Bettina Duval
- John ’78,’83 and Meg Gurley
- Christine and Jordan ’83 Kaplan
- The Kavli Foundation
- Glen H. Mitchel, Jr.
- Judy G. Anderson Munzig
- Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree* H’12
- Simons Foundation
- Michael P. Stewart ’91
- Deborah and Douglas Troxel
- Dr. Philip and Carolyn* Wyatt