Welcome Message from the Chair, Sarah Reisman

First, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026. Whether pursuing careers in academia, industry, or beyond, our graduates leave Caltech prepared to make meaningful contributions to science and society. We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead.

This year also brought a profound loss with the passing of Professor Rudy Marcus. Rudy was not only an extraordinary scientist, but also a cherished colleague, mentor, and friend. His intellectual curiosity, generosity, and lasting influence on chemistry will continue to inspire generations of researchers. He will be missed dearly by so many.

Our faculty have continued to earn well-deserved recognition for their exceptional contributions to science. Just a handful of these recognitions include Shu-ou Shan on her election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Jonas Peters on his induction into the American Philosophical Society, Garnet Chan on being elected to the Royal Society, and Brian Stoltz on receiving the 2025 Richard C. Tolman Award.

I am equally pleased to recognize the newest cohort of graduate students, current and incoming, who have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships – along with a full list of other students accolades that exemplify the well-rounded spirit of CCE.

Our division is strengthened not only by groundbreaking research but also by the extraordinary commitment of our staff. This year, we celebrated colleagues marking milestones from 10 to 40 years of service to CCE. Their dedication and support are essential to everything we accomplish, and we are deeply grateful for their many years of service.

Throughout this issue, you'll find stories highlighting the innovative research taking place across our division and the breakthroughs on the horizon. Read on to learn how CCE research groups are using major new funding to advance scientific discovery through AI with projects such as the U.S. Department of Energy's Genesis Mission and ELECTRA (Electron Diffraction Cloud Laboratory for Research and Autonomy) – funded by the National Science Foundation.

We continue to remain committed on cultivating a welcoming and supportive community. Through a variety of Community Programs initiatives such as Rising Tide, Spring into Stem, the Preer Fellowship and more, our community continues to create opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and belonging. These efforts strengthen our division and help ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to thrive.

As we look ahead, I'm pleased to welcome new students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff as we begin another academic year in a few weeks. I hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter and the many stories it contains. Thank you for being part of our vibrant community, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Let me know your thoughts on this newsletter at cce@caltech.edu.