CSUSB College of Natural Sciences

As a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Kimberley Cousins can be counted on to share her knowledge and provide her expert opinion for science-based issues. She recently discussed the importance testing for water safety, in the context of poor water quality concerns in Colton.

Colton residents concerned over poor water quality For more than a decade, residents in Colton have been experiencing a decline in water quality and many people who live there say they are feeling ignored by officials at the local water district. &…

Amazing asteroids! Department of Physics and Astronomy assistant professor Matteo Crismani was recently recognized for his contributions to the study of celestial small bodies (asteroids, comets, meteors, etc.) by having one named after him! A space rock formerly known as "2001 OR8" has now been designated "30537 Matteocrismani." Talk about out of this world!
Read: https://bit.ly/3JAKE1o
Murillo Family Observatory

Our Department of Geological Sciences 'Yotes are rockin' out! Department chair and professor Claire Todd and assistant professor Tandis Bidgoli have been mentoring these students as part of the Office of Student Research's Summer Research Program. Dr. Todd's students will be heading to Mt. Rainier to conduct research on glaciers, and Dr. Bidgoli's students will be working on mapping and slip rate characterization for the southern San Andreas and Garlock faults. Fun Fact: Our geological sciences students represent nearly a quarter of those participating in the Summer Research Program! Geology truly rocks! (📷: Tandis Bidgoli)
GeologyClub Csusb

Department of Physics and Astronomy assistant professor (and Murillo Family Observatory director) Matteo Crismani took these great photos at a Lowell Observatory reception in Arizona during the recent Asteroids, Comets, Meteors conference. Fun fact: This observatory is where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

It's never too late. After two-plus decades traveling the roads as a truck driver, first-generation 'Yote Jeremy Saavedra is heading toward a new destination: Graduating in fall 2023 with a biology degree with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. Way to go, Jeremy!

Never too late: Jeremy Saavedra pursues his dreams of helping others Never too late: Jeremy Saavedra pursues his dreams of helping others

Congratulations big time to our School of Computer Science and Engineering’s Yunfei Hou, Qingquan Sun, and Ronald Salloum and our CSUSB Department of Mathematics’ Jeremy Aikin and Hani Aldirawi. They are serving on the CSUSB team for the Greater LA Data Science Pathways project, a partnership between our university, UC Riverside , Cal Poly Pomona , the Riverside Community College District, Chaffey College, and Pasadena City College that was recently selected to receive a state California Education Learning Lab award totaling around $1.2 million (CSUSB’s portion is about $165,000). This grant supports projects designed to develop 2-to-4-year pathways from community college to California State University and the University of California systems in data science that result in relevant degrees and certificates that respond to industry needs and opportunities.

Let's give a shout-out out to alumnus Marc Edward Lussier (BS, Physics, '15), who is currently a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for FlightWave Aerospace Systems, a manufacturer of dual-use VTOL drones, sensors and software for both the commercial and the defense, security, and intelligence markets. His advice for students: "It is an easy campus to make connections and make a difference." Way to go, Marc! CSUSB Alumni Relations

Science—literally—saves lives! In recognition of his work developing an effective HIV therapy, Department of Biology alumnus Dr. Tae-Wook Chun (BA, Biology, ’92) was recently named a recipient of a 2023 Top 2023 Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum. Awardees are selected based on the degree of innovation and novelty involved in the advancement of science; contribution to the understanding of human disease and/or physiology; and potential impact upon the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of disease. Dr. Chun currently serves as the chief of the HIV Immunovirology Section Research Group at the Laboratory of Immunoregulation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and he previously worked under Dr. Anthony Fauci. He was also CSUSB’s 1991-1992 Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year. Congratulations to Dr. Chun!

2023 CR Forum Top Ten| Combination Therapy With 3BNC117 and 10-1074 in HIV-Infected Individuals Antiretroviral therapy is highly effective in suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, eradication of the virus in individuals with HIV has n...

Get the science behind the world of anabolic steroids and catch Department of Kinesiology professor and Assistant Dean Guillermo Escalante on this episode from Mike Matthews "Muscle for Life" podcast. Dr. Escalante is also an athletic trainer and bodybuilder who has studied the health risks of bodybuilding.

Dr. Guillermo Escalante on Using Anabolic Steroids Intelligently The world of anabolic steroids often seems shrouded in mystery and controversy. In this episode, seasoned sports medicine and exercise scientist Dr. Guillermo Escalante aims to dispel some of those myths and clarify the complex topic of steroid use in bodybuilding and the health and fitnes...

Just learned that two amazing Cal-Bridge Program scholars with connections with our college have accepted teaching positions! Physics alumnus Manuel Paul (BS, Physics, '17) has accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Cosumnes River College, a community college in Sacramento, where he will be teaching physics and astronomy courses starting in August. Also this fall, Katy Wimberly will commence her role as a tenure-track assistant professor, which includes conducting original astrophysics research, teaching, and service at our Department of Physics and Astronomy. Great work, everyone! Cal-Bridge is National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded scholarship program targeted at California State University undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD in physics or astronomy or related field.

Read: https://bit.ly/3qFLUKj

We are doing our part to make your summer star-struck with a series of Visitor Nights at our beloved Murillo Family Observatory, starting today (30 minutes after sunset). A wonderful way to appreciate the heavens and showcase our astronomy program and research. More dates: June 17; July 13, 25; August 10, 23.

The Department of Geological Sciences was well represented at the Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Meeting in Reno last month. Attendees included (group photo L-R) students Ashley Stroup, Jovanna Moya, Jennifer Kirk, and Syunsuke Hasuka; chair and professor Claire Todd, lecturers Bryan Castillo and Sadie Kingsbury; and students Gideon Schyler El-Rahi, and Juan Rodelo. Rock stars, each one! GeologyClub Csusb

Department of Health Science and Human Ecology assistant professor Mahmood Nikbakhtzadeh was interviewed for The Atlantic for an article on how bath soap may function as a possible mosquito repellent for some individuals. Always glad to see our amazing faculty cited as experts by the media. Dr. Nikbakhtzadeh is a chemical ecologist and medical entomologist.

Your Next Mosquito Repellent Might Already Be in Your Shower A small study has found that certain soaps can make people less attractive to mosquitoes, but it probably won’t work for everyone.

American College of Sports Medicine

Amazing faculty are critical to our students' success. Case in point: Department of Physics and Astronomy professor Carol Hood was named to the Physics and Astronomy Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research, which focuses on supporting and promoting high-quality, mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. You go, Dr. Hood!

We are proud that Department of Kinesiology professor, bodybuilder, and Assistant Dean Guillermo Escalante is keen on bringing the gap between competitive bodybuilding and the scientific literature with his ongoing research and recent series of published studies. You can follow him at on Instagram to keep up with his scholarly and leadership flexes!

Guillermo Escalante (@doctorgfit) • Instagram photos and videos 15K Followers, 2,242 Following, 1,605 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Guillermo Escalante ()

Attention, math educators! Get your learn on! Our CSUSB Department of Mathematics' Center for Enhancement of Mathematics Education will host a three-day interactive and engaging workshop for educators with an emphasis on developing diverse strategies for counting amongst other important mathematical skills for math learners. Click below for registration info!

Summer Institute focusing on math for TK-3 Educators!

Dean Sastry Pantula was named the recipient of the inaugural Learning Champion Award during CSUSB's LEARN Conference. The award recognizes an administrator who promotes, enhances, and sustains a positive learning environment, and demonstrates CSUSB Core Values such as inclusivity, respect, and social justice and equity. Congratulations, Dean Pantula for this very well-deserved award. (📷: Leann Bactad Pulido)

Great news in nursing education! San Bernardino Valley College and Chaffey College have joined a partnership with our CSUSB Department of Nursing that allows community college nursing students to take bachelor’s degree-level classes, transfer to CSUSB, and graduate more quickly with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. This Concurrent Enrollment Pathway was launched by CSUSB, Riverside City College, and California State University, Fullerton three years ago, and was recognized by the of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) in 2022 as the recipient of the ACNL Friend of Nursing award for excellence in nursing leadership and advancement of clinical practice.

CSUSB Tri-County Nursing Program expands enrollment pathway | CSUSB News | CSUSB Alan Llavore | Office of Strategic Communication | (909) 537-5007 |[email protected] CSUSB Tri-County Nursing Program expands enrollment pathway The nursing department’s Concurrent Enrollment Pathway (CEP) program has expanded to now include two additional community colleges. Published May 25, 20...

You can't keep us from bragging about our alumni! Meet Brandon Bachman (Computer Science, ’18), who leveraged his STEM education to make huge contributions to the space tech industry, and currently serves as the principal software engineer for the Northrop Grumman Corporation! Excellent work, Brandon! CSUSB Alumni Relations Northrop Grumman Careers

Huge congrats to Department of Kinesiology lecturer Shirley Jean, who was recognized by San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. of the 5th District for her outstanding achievement in community service and for touching the lives of so many individuals in the community following her fight for access to early-childhood education. Read more: https://bit.ly/3qqm1hb

Happy to announced Dr. Tae-Wook Chun (BA, Biology, ’92) as the recipient of our 2022-2023 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award!. Dr. Chun currently serves as as the chief of the HIV Immunovirology Section Research Group at the Laboratory of Immunoregulation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award recognizes his substantial science-based work and significant accomplishments since he graduated from CSUSB. Dr. Chun’s research and discoveries in the biopharmaceutical and immunovirology fields relevant to HIV treatment have contributed to scientific knowledge and discovery to improve the quality of life for many. Congratulations, Dr. Chun!

Fun Fact: Department of Biology alumnus Eduardo Luis Cruz's photo of a house finch was used in a recent Los Angeles Times article about the City Nature Challenge, an annual competition that mobilizes communities to document as many species of plant, animal, and other forms of urban life and gather data that will be used to inform research and conservation work around biodiversity. Keep taking pix, Eddie!

California started this community science project to document urban nature — now it’s taking over the world The City Nature Challenge is an annual competition that mobilizes communities to document as many species of plant, animal and other types of critters in a four-day period using the iNaturalist app.

CSUSB Palm Desert Outstanding Grad exemplifies tough path many locals face to higher ed For Coachella Valley students following a similar path, Ramirez recommends always taking opportunities “no matter how scary they are.”

Check out Department of Kinesiology professor Hyunkyoung Oh in this "Faculty Diversity Series" video!

CSUSB professor shares her appreciation of campus diversity HyunKyoung Oh, CSUSB kinesiology professor, says faculty diversity promotes creativity in students. For Oh, exposure to diversity alters the way individuals ...

Our Master of Public Health (MPH) program is simply amazing—but don't take our word for it. U.S. News and World Report listed our MPH program in its 2023-24 graduate school rankings, and we simply had to share the news!

CSUSB ranked among best graduate schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report | CSUSB News | CSUSB Joe Gutierrez | Office of Strategic Communication | (909) 537-3007 | [email protected] CSUSB ranked among best graduate schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report CSUSB has been named among the nation’s top universities in 2023-24 as nine of its programs have been listed among the best in the ...

In case you missed this past Saturday's Commencement—or simply want to re-live the occasion—check out this video of the ceremony!

CSUSB Spring Commencement 2023 - College of Natural Sciences Sunday December 11, 2022 5:00 PM

So many wonderful memories in the making!

Tonight's the night! We can't wait to see our graduates walk across the stage at Commencement!