CSUSB College of Natural Sciences

07/01/2023

As a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Kimberley Cousins can be counted on to share her knowledge and provide her expert opinion for science-based issues. She recently discussed the importance testing for water safety, in the context of poor water quality concerns in Colton.

For more than a decade, residents in Colton have been experiencing a decline in water quality and many people who live there say they are feeling ignored by officials at the local water district. &…

06/30/2023

Amazing asteroids! Department of Physics and Astronomy assistant professor Matteo Crismani was recently recognized for his contributions to the study of celestial small bodies (asteroids, comets, meteors, etc.) by having one named after him! A space rock formerly known as "2001 OR8" has now been designated "30537 Matteocrismani." Talk about out of this world!
Read: https://bit.ly/3JAKE1o
Murillo Family Observatory

06/29/2023

Our Department of Geological Sciences 'Yotes are rockin' out! Department chair and professor Claire Todd and assistant professor Tandis Bidgoli have been mentoring these students as part of the Office of Student Research's Summer Research Program. Dr. Todd's students will be heading to Mt. Rainier to conduct research on glaciers, and Dr. Bidgoli's students will be working on mapping and slip rate characterization for the southern San Andreas and Garlock faults. Fun Fact: Our geological sciences students represent nearly a quarter of those participating in the Summer Research Program! Geology truly rocks! (📷: Tandis Bidgoli)
GeologyClub Csusb

06/28/2023

Department of Physics and Astronomy assistant professor (and Murillo Family Observatory director) Matteo Crismani took these great photos at a Lowell Observatory reception in Arizona during the recent Asteroids, Comets, Meteors conference. Fun fact: This observatory is where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

06/26/2023

It's never too late. After two-plus decades traveling the roads as a truck driver, first-generation 'Yote Jeremy Saavedra is heading toward a new destination: Graduating in fall 2023 with a biology degree with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. Way to go, Jeremy!

Never too late: Jeremy Saavedra pursues his dreams of helping others

06/22/2023

Congratulations big time to our School of Computer Science and Engineering’s Yunfei Hou, Qingquan Sun, and Ronald Salloum and our CSUSB Department of Mathematics’ Jeremy Aikin and Hani Aldirawi. They are serving on the CSUSB team for the Greater LA Data Science Pathways project, a partnership between our university, UC Riverside , Cal Poly Pomona , the Riverside Community College District, Chaffey College, and Pasadena City College that was recently selected to receive a state California Education Learning Lab award totaling around $1.2 million (CSUSB’s portion is about $165,000). This grant supports projects designed to develop 2-to-4-year pathways from community college to California State University and the University of California systems in data science that result in relevant degrees and certificates that respond to industry needs and opportunities.

06/21/2023

Let's give a shout-out out to alumnus Marc Edward Lussier (BS, Physics, '15), who is currently a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for FlightWave Aerospace Systems, a manufacturer of dual-use VTOL drones, sensors and software for both the commercial and the defense, security, and intelligence markets. His advice for students: "It is an easy campus to make connections and make a difference." Way to go, Marc! CSUSB Alumni Relations

06/19/2023

Science—literally—saves lives! In recognition of his work developing an effective HIV therapy, Department of Biology alumnus Dr. Tae-Wook Chun (BA, Biology, ’92) was recently named a recipient of a 2023 Top 2023 Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum. Awardees are selected based on the degree of innovation and novelty involved in the advancement of science; contribution to the understanding of human disease and/or physiology; and potential impact upon the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of disease. Dr. Chun currently serves as the chief of the HIV Immunovirology Section Research Group at the Laboratory of Immunoregulation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and he previously worked under Dr. Anthony Fauci. He was also CSUSB’s 1991-1992 Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year. Congratulations to Dr. Chun!

Antiretroviral therapy is highly effective in suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, eradication of the virus in individuals with HIV has n...

06/19/2023

Get the science behind the world of anabolic steroids and catch Department of Kinesiology professor and Assistant Dean Guillermo Escalante on this episode from Mike Matthews "Muscle for Life" podcast. Dr. Escalante is also an athletic trainer and bodybuilder who has studied the health risks of bodybuilding.

The world of anabolic steroids often seems shrouded in mystery and controversy. In this episode, seasoned sports medicine and exercise scientist Dr. Guillermo Escalante aims to dispel some of those myths and clarify the complex topic of steroid use in bodybuilding and the health and fitnes...

06/18/2023

Just learned that two amazing Cal-Bridge Program scholars with connections with our college have accepted teaching positions! Physics alumnus Manuel Paul (BS, Physics, '17) has accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Cosumnes River College, a community college in Sacramento, where he will be teaching physics and astronomy courses starting in August. Also this fall, Katy Wimberly will commence her role as a tenure-track assistant professor, which includes conducting original astrophysics research, teaching, and service at our Department of Physics and Astronomy. Great work, everyone! Cal-Bridge is National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded scholarship program targeted at California State University undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD in physics or astronomy or related field.

Read: https://bit.ly/3qFLUKj

06/15/2023

We are doing our part to make your summer star-struck with a series of Visitor Nights at our beloved Murillo Family Observatory, starting today (30 minutes after sunset). A wonderful way to appreciate the heavens and showcase our astronomy program and research. More dates: June 17; July 13, 25; August 10, 23.

06/15/2023

The Department of Geological Sciences was well represented at the Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting in Reno last month. Attendees included (group photo L-R) students Ashley Stroup, Jovanna Moya, Jennifer Kirk, and Syunsuke Hasuka; chair and professor Claire Todd, lecturers Bryan Castillo and Sadie Kingsbury; and students Gideon Schyler El-Rahi, and Juan Rodelo. Rock stars, each one! GeologyClub Csusb