From hunting for black holes in the night sky, to discovering a new class of gravitational waves produced by black hole binaries, to studying how black holes obey the rules of quantum mechanics, three astrophysicists will expose how these mysterious massive objects hold the key to a fascinating new understanding of gravity.

Can CRISPR cure sickle cell disease? Does antimatter “fall up”? Can we harness the immune system to fight tuberculosis? Join us as our faculty experts break down some of the biggest scientific questions of the past year.

The spark that ignites a student’s curiosity for science and mathematics can happen anywhere, but it is crucially nurtured in the classroom. In this session, three Distinguished Teaching Award winners will discuss what it takes to engage students in scientific inquiry.

As humans have evolved over the last 300 thousand years, we have shared the planet with many living things, interacting with and affecting one another in many ways. Join us as three biologists discuss the intricacies of our species’ co-evolution with other beings.

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From health problems to extreme weather events to social and environmental inequities, the effects of a changing climate on humans are broad and dangerous. Join us as a panel of experts breaks down the science behind these impacts, and how we might mitigate them in the future.

The fields of physics and biology intersect in a myriad of ways, as they both seek to understand natural phenomena. Learn how Berkeley researchers apply physics principles to uncover biological processes, and how they collaborate across these scientific disciplines.

There is no question that artificial intelligence touches almost every aspect of life, and its transformative power only continues to grow. Hear from Berkeley scientists about how AI informs their work and makes mind-blowing science possible.

Two Berkeley Deans will discuss some of the biggest threats to public health and some of the greatest biological innovations on the horizon in this exclusive conversation.

Beginning one’s career as a faculty member and setting up a lab for the first time are often herculean feats that include high highs, low lows, and lots of compelling anecdotes. Join us as our newest science faculty members share their stories of building their labs, working with students, and the future of their research endeavors at Berkeley.

High-level mathematics research is intricate and complex, and it can be difficult to understand how it translates into real-world problem solving. Our panel of mathematicians will discuss their work in applied mathematics, and what it means to apply mathematics to things such as physical and biological systems, fluid and solid mechanics, and computing.

Our bodies are resilient organisms, with remarkable capabilities to heal themselves from trauma. Our panel of biologists will discuss their research in the ways that the body repairs itself, from PTSD recovery to regrowing heart cells.

Life on Earth has come a long way in the last few millennia. Berkeley’s brightest paleontologists and evolutionary biologists will come together to discuss their insights into how humans and other animals have evolved over the ages, and where we might be headed.

We feel the effects of climate change at the cellular level and at the level of large physical systems, such as weather. Our researchers will show the effects of a warming planet on animals and plants, as well as the physical processes that determine Earth's future climate.

What neural mechanisms are actually at play when you experience peace and contentment? What research-backed steps can you take to lead a happier life? A panel of experts discuss the science behind physical education and mental wellbeing, as well as the newly-created Health & Wellness minor at Berkeley.

First predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity and finally detected in 2015, gravitational waves are ripples in the curvature of spacetime generated by massive cosmic events, such as black hole collisions and neutron star mergers. Join us as our astrophysicists discuss the data they collect from these events, and what they tell us about the Universe, inflation, and much more. 

Every second of every day, millions of naturally occurring systems are at work, completely imperceptible to the human eye, yet profoundly impacting the world around us. From dark matter, the mysterious force that makes up approximately 85% of our Universe, to neutrinos, an abundant subatomic particle with a mass close to zero, to the protein machinery that facilitates the biochemistry of our cells, our researchers will shed light on the invisible particles and cells that are the building blocks of matter. 

What was the "Snowball Earth?" What caused the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period? An expert panel discusses the disasters of the distant past, and what the geological and fossil records tell us about the future.

Quantum materials, such as superconductors, graphene and topological insulators, are materials with "exotic properties" and great promise. A panel of experimentalists describes how these materials will enable many important technologies of the future, from energy to quantum computing.

Berkeley's brightest neuroscientists shed light on the mysterious functions of the brain across the life span - what causes neurological developmental disorders, how perception and thought are coded, and how disease and injury may affect the mind.

From studying the origins of the universe in a low-oxygen desert in Chile, to large-scale volcanic eruptions in remote parts of the world, to highly infectious coronaviruses in biosafety level-3 labs, Berkeley researchers discuss what it's like to conduct science in extreme environments.

Californians and other residents of the West face recurring threats from annual wildfires, persistent drought, and more ecological responses to climate change. An expert panel assesses our future environment.

A leading research university atop a seismic fault, Berkeley excels at studying earthquakes and creating early warning tools. What you should know to be informed and prepared.

Many faculty choose Berkeley in order to work with brilliant, inspiring graduate students. Tonight, a trio of them has the floor to discuss their research.

From developing new therapeutics and lab-grown organs to designing dexterous robots, Berkeley scientists have their imaginations sparked by natural systems

The Golden State is a hotspot of biodiversity. Berkeley biologists investigate this remarkable fauna and flora.

The human body and brain change with age. What have we learned about the underlying genetics and physiology of aging, as well as why it can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases?

Big data and data science are much more than trendy buzzwords. Learn how diverse datasets combined with computational and algorithmic approaches are transforming research in many fields, such as astronomy, astrophysics, and human evolutionary genetics.

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics rewarded decades of research — some done at Berkeley — into the theory and detection of black holes. Learn what we know and still don’t know about these mysterious supermassive objects, including the one in the middle of our galaxy.

Implicit bias and institutionalized racism hinder diverse perspectives from pursuing or participating in the sciences. Two esteemed biologists and an emerging quantum physicist consider the changes required to redress this problem and create equitable academic communities.

Solving the global challenge of environmental sustainability requires ideas from experts across STEM fields and beyond. Our panel’s expertise spans from biodiversity in Amazonia to batteries and new planet-friendly materials.

The unknown pandemic, evolving microbial resistance to antibiotics and other drugs presents a global challenge to combating infectious diseases. What strategies are emerging from chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, and public health to discover or design new therapies?

From the search for Earth-like planets to seeking knowledge of past climates on Earth, Berkeley’s early-career faculty in the physical sciences push the boundaries of basic research and teaching in their fields. Hear from professors in four MPS departments about how their work lights the way.

What do a neurobiologist, particle physicist, evolutionary biologist, and cosmologist have in common? They follow their curiosity and pursue discovery-driven research for fundamental knowledge and understanding. Learn the latest findings from their efforts.

Many Berkeley faculty have refocused research priorities in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A panel of biologists explores diverse approaches to learning about this novel virus — including its ecology and evolution, molecular mechanisms of infection, and the hunt for therapeutic targets.

Experts on the atmospheric, oceanographic, microbial, and ecological connections to Earth’s climate share their big-picture perspectives on this urgent topic. How will climate change alter the cycling of carbon and methane in sea and sky? What is the outlook for the weather or biodiversity?

Recent breakthroughs in biological imaging using adaptive optics and novel types of ultra-high-resolution microscopes have enabled watching live cells in action in the brain and other tissues. Pioneers of these approaches describe how Berkeley’s new Advanced Bioimaging Center will be a visualization and data-processing powerhouse for the biological sciences.

Plate tectonics drives our dynamic planet, from earthquakes and volcanoes at surface subduction zones to convection deep in the mantle. A dynamic group of geologists and geophysicists discusses ways to study how the Earth operates, how it has changed over 4.5 billion years, and some unsolved mysteries.

Berkeley’s renowned biological research carries forward in these early-career scholars, who are decoding cues of brain activity behind behavior; studying mitochondrial DNA’s links to metabolic diseases; and examining molecular bases of chemical coevolution in plants and insects.

Ushering in the era of quantum computing, UC Berkeley serves as headquarters for the new Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Present and Future Quantum Computation. A panel that includes three of its scientific directors explores the institute’s research priorities and the campus vision for an integrated initiative across quantum science and technology.