UCSB Physics Alumni
Promoting the professional accomplishments and creative endeavors of our department's alumni.
Alumni Focus: Alex Filippenko
“[My professor's research] had a profound effect on me. It showed me not only the thrill of discovery, but also the power of physics and logical reasoning.”
From playing with magnets in sandboxes as a child to exploring the general field of science to conducting research in astronomy and cosmology, UCSB alumnus Alex Filippenko is a world-renowned astronomer and prize-winning professor of astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley. Filippenko comes from a UC family; his parents were attending Berkeley when he was born, and moved to the Santa Barbara/Goleta area when Alex was six ... continue reading 
Alumni Focus: Richard Sonnenfeld
"The breadth and depth of my UCSB graduate education allowed me to change sub-fields of physics multiple times without ever feeling lost."
Richard Sonnenfeld chose an unusual field to research -- literally. A trail of unexpected academic and career choices brought him to lightning fields in central New Mexico. After obtaining his BSE in physics and mechanical engineering at Princeton University, Sonnenfeld was uncertain what path to take for graduate school. “My choice was originally motivated solely by academic and career interests,” Sonnenfeld recalls. He accepted a spot in the applied physics program at Cornell when a friend (and UCSB Physics PhD) told Sonnenfeld he “owed it to himself” to check out Santa Barbara... continue reading
Alumni Focus: Holmes Moore
"My life, I wouldn’t trade any of it – including my time at UCSB – for anything."
Upon discovering the photograph of UCSB Physics’ first graduating class of 1949, the challenge called: to successfully track down and locate one of the department’s premier alumni. A combination of detective work and good luck led us to discovering Holmes S. Moore. Holmes expressed his delight in “having a second childhood” with his three grandchildren: Erin, a UCSB alum who graduated four years ago as a communications major and moved on to work in Washington D.C.; Colleen, who is nearing the end of her high school career; and toddler Delaney who, Holmes chuckles, “dressed up as a giraffe her first Halloween.” Graciously, Holmes took a moment from playing with his “giraffe” to reflect upon his journey pre and post UCSB. ... continue reading
Alumni Focus: Dale Pfost
"Working in the high-energy physics group changed my life. The department has earned its top ranking, and I am proud to be an alumnus."
In the early eighties, when Dale Pfost (pronounced "post") was wrestling with the requirements to obtain a PhD in physics at Brown University, his advisor discovered on his desk a copy of A Guide to Venture Capital Sources. The professor noted the price—a few months' rent for grad student housing—and said, "You'll be lucky to ever get your money back." ... continue reading
Alumni Directory
For a listing of UCSB Physics alumni, their awards, honors and other information, access the UCSB Alumni Directory
Note: you must be a registered user to access certain sections of the Directory.
UCSB Physics Alumni Email Addresses
Graduates of UCSB Physics Department programs qualify for free email forwarding accounts (for example: yourname@alumni.physics.ucsb.edu). Email sent to you at that address will automatically be forwarded to your preferred email address. This forwarding service is not an internet service or email box providers; you must have an independent email account.
We respect the privacy and time of our alumni. We will not disclose your email address to any outside vendor, nor will we pester you with daily news messages.
To request an alumni address or to update your email information, contact us.
UCSB Alumni Association
Keep your connection to UCSB by becoming a member of the UCSB Alumni Association. New Life Members, in addition to becoming part of a useful community, receive a free fine art print from award-winning Santa Barbara artist Kate Yarbrough.
Join online at www.ucsbalum.com or call (805) 893-4206.
Alumni Newsletter: Inside Physics
We will be featuring more news and information about UCSB Physics alumni in future issues of our yearly newsletter, Inside Physics. Drop us a line and tell us what you have been doing since attending UCSB. Please include your graduation date and degree. more about Inside Physics
Please contact us if you would like to be added to the mailing list or have any questions or comments about the publication.
Publications Coordinator: (805) 893-5228 or email.
back to top