Meet Cal Scientists: Big-Thinking Physicists

Cal physicists study the most fundamental questions in science. Read on to learn about these scientists' research!

• Name: Bernard Sadoulet
• Position: Professor and Director of INPAC
• Department: Physics
• Research: I am first attracted to science by the fundamental questions we are trying to answer. In my case, it is the nature of the "dark matter" in the universe, and more generally why 95% of the energy density in the universe is not ordinary matter. I have experienced the exultation of getting fundamental results. But the formulation of crisp questions and the quest in itself are also interesting.

• Name: Nader Mirabolfathi
• Position: Associate Research Physicist
• Department: Physics
• Research: In order to understand the nature of dark matter in the universe, we need to develop state-of-the-art particle detectors. As an experimental physicist, I enjoy sharing with my colleagues the ultimate goal of creating interfaces between the abstraction of mind and the reality of nature. The most enjoyable moment is when both get in harmony leading to an instantaneous resonance.

• Name: Dmitry Budker
• Position: Professor
• Department: Dept. of Physics
• Research: My research focuses in two areas: Experimental tests of fundamental symmetries of Nature (parity and time-reversal invariance, permutation symmetry for identical particles, temporal stability of the constants of Nature); and Precision electromagnetic measurements and applications. This latter category involves developing novel atomic magnetometers, and using them for things like, for example, detecting NMR and performing MRI. Our research tries to address some of the most important questions in physics—and we also develop new technologies.

• Name: Angie Little
• Position: Graduate Student
• Department: Dept. of Physics
• Research: My focus is on physics education. More specifically, I study how to teach the tools and reasoning associated with learning physics (this photo shows me in a classroom with Compass Project students, where this research gets applied). What could be more closely associated with the everyday world around us than physics? Sure, we're all on the edge of our seats to see what comes out of the next high energy particle accelerator, but there's also still a ton about water that we don't understand. Water! In this increasingly technology-oriented society, the physics community can play a pivotal role in helping all students learn how to develop scientific reasoning skills and think critically about the world around them.