A $340,000 National Science Foundation grant will support research led by Cal Poly physics Professor Thomas Gutierrez on neutrinos through the international CUPID (CUORE Upgrade with Particle Identification) program. Gutierrez and his Cal Poly student team are exploring unproven theories related to nuclear decay, also known as radioactive decay, the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy through radiation. Their work strives to help better explain why the universe is full of matter, and to address other mysteries that have befuddled scientists for generations. 

Nationally, men in colleges and universities currently outpace women in earning degrees in physics, engineering, and computer science (PECS) by an approximate ratio of 4 to 1. To better understand the factors driving these gaps, NYU researchers analyzed bachelor’s degrees awarded in the US from 2002-2022, and found that the most selective universities by math SAT scores have nearly closed the PECS gender gap while less selective universities have seen it widen dramatically.

With the help of a nearly $500,000 grant, Arkansas food safety expert Kristen Gibson is working to increase job opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.

An article co-written by Christopher J. Cagna, PhD, of Kessler Foundation, reveals how low confidence drives feedback-seeking, enhancing learning with insights for education and rehabilitation strategies.