Harvey Mudd College

Harvey Mudd has announced the launch of a new joint major in mathematics and climate. Developed by the Department of Mathematics in collaboration with the College's Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment, the interdisciplinary program aims to equip the next generation of STEM leaders with the mathematical fluency required to model, analyze and address the complexities of a changing planet. By blending rigorous mathematical theory with comprehensive climate science, the joint major will train students to translate complex data into actionable environmental solutions. Read more about the program's design on our news page. https://uqr.to/jm-cm.

Harvey Mudd College engineering professor Leah Mendelson has been named director of the makerspace. Mendelson has been a longtime friend and fan of the makerspace, believing it helps students be holistic, creative people, which both enriches life on campus and fosters this mindset in their long-term futures. Read about Mendelson's goals for the 8,000-square-foot hub of student creativity as well as what she's looking forward to during her tenure. https://uqr.to/lm-mkr.

Harvey Mudd College physics professor Eduardo Ibarra García Padilla and physics colleagues have developed a new theory that helps explain how trions—tiny quantum structures made up of three interacting particles—form and arrange themselves into distinctive checkerboard patterns. For Ibarra García Padilla, the work reflects the kind of collaborative, theory-driven physics research that connects Harvey Mudd faculty to questions at the frontiers of modern science. Learn how the team worked to discover this new theory on our news page at https://uqr.to/eigp-nt.

Harvey Mudd College students Angela Milo ’28 (chemistry) and Joshua Ikehara ’27 (engineering) have been selected by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation as 2026–2027 Astronaut scholars. They join an elite cohort of undergraduates recognized for exceptional academic performance, research excellence and commitment to STEM fields.

Milo’s research has contributed to identifying safer, greener alternatives to dichloromethane, which led to a 2025 “Journal of Chemical Education” article that addresses how to eliminate the toxic, regulated solvent in undergraduate laboratory settings. Ikehara, who investigates copper-imidazolate coordination polymers, has synthesized new metal-based polymers and optimized monomer purification methods, with the goal of controlling thermal and electrical properties while developing more recyclable materials with plastic-like qualities.

Read more about Milo and Ikehara on our news page at https://uqr.to/amji-astro.

Mathematics professor Art Benjamin created and stars in "That Math Show," an off-Broadway production presented by The Science Theater Company in association with MoMath: the National Museum of Mathematics. The show, which runs through Aug. 16, takes audiences on a journey through the wonder and joyous fun of mathematics.

The Office of Alumni and Family Engagement invites alumni to the July 26 performance, followed by a Q-and-A with Benjamin. Reconnect with the HMC community, celebrate the spirit of intellectual curiosity and experience the magic of math. Register now: https://uqr.to/tms-ab.

Biology professor Danae Schulz has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to advance research on the biology of “Trypanosoma brucei,” the parasite responsible for African sleeping sickness. Students will have the opportunity to perform primary experiments, draft methods sections, design scientific figures and travel to regional and national conferences to present their data to professionals in the field. Schulz's project embodies HMC's mission to cultivate technical excellence alongside a commitment to global impact. Read more on our news page https://uqr.to/nsf-schulz.

Harvey Mudd College welcomes two teachers/scholars to campus this academic year. Hae-Seo Kim will join the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts as assistant professor of science, technology and society, and Sara Murphy POM ʼ18 will join the Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Kim, Murphy and their 103 tenure-track faculty colleagues are charged with educating future scientists, engineers and mathematicians and inspiring them to become passionate problem solvers who understand the impact of their work on society. Read more on our news page at https://uqr.to/new-faculty.