W. M. Keck Science Department

Spotlights

Moonshadow Moonshadow

Stock image of a total solar eclipseKeck Dean and Astrophysicist Ulysses J. Sofia Illuminates the Solar Eclipse In anticipation of the first total eclipse of the sun visible from North America in nearly 40 years, we asked our own resident astrophysicist, Keck Science Department Dean Ulysses J. Sofia, for a couple of reflections on the moment when the moon passes between [Read More...]
August 17, 2017
Press Releases

Testing the Waters

Drone boatProfessor Donald McFarlane’s New Research Surveys Volcanic Crater Lakes Claremont, Calif. (July 5, 2017)—Professor Donald McFarlane and a team of researchers are developing a new way to plumb the depths of volcanic crater lakes around the world. Adapting aerial drone technology, they designed and deployed a small sonar-equipped boat to survey Laguna Caliente, a lake [Read More...]
July 5, 2017
Press Releases

Dr. Ulysses J. Sofia Named Keck Science Dean

Claremont, Calif. (April 6, 2017)—On behalf of the Presidents of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ulysses J. (UJ) Sofia as the new dean of the W.M. Keck Science Department.  His appointment will begin July 1, 2017, and he will hold the title of Weinberg Family [Read More...]
April 6, 2017
Press Releases

Professors and Pitzer Alumnus Publish First Research of its Kind on Reptiles that Chemically Lure Prey

Claremont, Calif. (March 30, 2016)—A team of professors and a Pitzer College alumnus have conducted groundbreaking research that shows reptiles are not just hunting prey, but luring them by actively using chemical compounds. This interdisciplinary research team—consisting of Pitzer College Interim President and Professor of Chemistry Thomas Poon, Pitzer alumnus Matthew Ward ’11, Interim Dean [Read More...]
March 30, 2016
Press Releases

Pitzer Student Antonio Godoy ’18 Presents Atmospheric Chemistry Research at National Scientific Meeting

Claremont, Calif. (March 11, 2016)—Pitzer College student Antonio Godoy ’18 will present recent research findings on the atmospheric impact of a form of carbon sequestration at the American Chemical Society Spring 2016 National Meeting, held in San Diego from March 13-17. For more than a year, Godoy has been working with Professor of Chemistry and [Read More...]
March 11, 2016
Press Releases

Pitzer Professor Awarded Prestigious Fellowship to Help Shape Asian-Pacific Environmental Policies with US State Department

Claremont, Calif. (March 10, 2016)—Pitzer College Professor Kathleen Purvis-Roberts has been awarded a 2016-17 Jefferson Science Fellowship (JSF), a program run by the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine. One of only 12 academic scientists, engineers and physicians from US institutions of higher learning to be selected this year, Purvis-Roberts will work at the [Read More...]
March 10, 2016
Press Releases

Chemistry Professor Aaron Leconte Earns Cottrell Scholar Award

Claremont, Calif. (February 29, 2016)—Assistant Professor of Chemistry Aaron Leconte has received a three-year, $100,000 Cottrell Scholar award from Research Corporation for Science Advancement. The Cottrell Scholar program recognizes top early-career academic scientists and supports both research and teaching. Leconte is one of 24 Cottrell Scholars from across the country selected in 2016. He teaches [Read More...]
February 29, 2016
Press Releases

NSF Awards Professor Patrick Ferree $830,000 CAREER Grant for Genome Research

Assistant Professor of Biology Patrick FerreeClaremont, Calif. (February 2, 2015)—Assistant Professor of Biology Patrick Ferree received an $830,000 five-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Development Program to research genome conflict. Ferree teaches in the W.M. Keck Science Department of Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College. The grant, “Paternal genome elimination by a selfish B chromosome [Read More...]
February 2, 2015
Press Releases

New Research Finds Theories about Evolution of Nocturnal Life May Be Off by 100 Million Years

Claremont, Calif. (September 3, 2014)— New research by Pitzer College Assistant Professor Lars Schmitz reveals ancient animals may have become active at night 100 million years earlier than previously thought. In “Nocturnality in Synapsids Predates the Origin of Mammals by Over 100 Million Years” in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Schmitz and co-author Kenneth [Read More...]
September 3, 2014