Twenty-five thousand pounds of thrust roared overhead, jolting me out of my stupor. The pungent smell of jet fuel filled the air. A fireball from a pool of napalm rose from the ground. No, I wasn’t... Read More

A stark reality check about the true cost of pursuing a PhD slapped me across the face this week. A study on the psychological toll of doctoral programs painted a picture less “Good Will Hunting” a... Read More

​Something about my birthday last week hit differently this year. Read More

It’s my birthday, yay! I’m now 6% closer to 100 than 0. Read More

Astronomers and physicists have always been called upon for their adept abilities to convert basic scientific facts into deadly weaponry. Archimedes and Aristotle made advanced war engines. Catapul... Read More

You’ve heard the cliche, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This adage emphasizes the influence of our social circle on our lives. But what if we extended this co... Read More

Richard Dawkins has significantly influenced my understanding of evolution and culture. He’s one of the few people who have not only created neologisms — new words — but actually culturally relevan... Read More

As summer’s warmth envelops us, it’s time for the annual celestial delight: the Perseid meteor shower. This year promises a particularly stunning display, with peak activity occurring late TONIGHT ... Read More

As a Professor for many years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching science to some of the world’s most brilliant students. My 20 years at UCSD have been filled with experiences that I’m eager to sha... Read More

The Olympics have started, hooray! Paris is a madhouse, and there’s been much ado about the opening ceremony, but I’m thrilled to be back in San Diego watching that ancient sport from the days of t... Read More