College of Letters and Science Content

The Rise of Pseudocannabinoids

Andy Fell — April 02, 2025 - 11:07am

Developing pseudocannabinoids, synthetic molecules that mimic the activity of molecules found in cannabis plants, is the goal of research by Professor Mark Mascal in the ��о�� Department of Chemistry. Mascal recently received a $30,000, one-year seed grant, the Dr. Mohsen Najafi Research Award in Medicinal Chemistry, to advance his work.

Play Dives into the Life of Famed Mathematician Emmy Noether

Andy Fell — March 27, 2025 - 9:33am

Mathematics and theatrics combine this April in Diving into Math with Emmy Noether, a play about the pioneering and influential mathematician who is often referred to as the “mother of modern algebra.”

Adele Zhang Brings ��о�� Textile Collection to London

Jamie Sara Gelfond — March 27, 2025 - 9:25am

Adele Zhang, senior continuing lecturer in the Department of Design at ��о��, has been the Jo Ann C. Stabb Design Collection curator and manager since 2006. After spending the last year researching the collection's archive, Zhang spent the first few weeks of 2025 packing up and shipping 134 objects to London, where they will be on display at the Fashion and Textile Museum from March 28 through September 7.

The Conversation: How are Humans Different From Other Animals?

Karen Michele Nikos — March 19, 2025 - 1:35pm

Of the 8.7 million species on Earth, why are human beings the only one that paints self-portraits, walks on the Moon and worships gods?

For decades, many scholars have argued that the difference stems from our ability to learn from each other. Through techniques such as teaching and imitation, we can create and transmit complicated information over many generations.

How Do ��о�� Scholars Tackle Antisemitism and Islamophobia?

Jamie Sara Gelfond — March 12, 2025 - 3:29pm

It was still early days of the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza when, seeing strong emotions and division erupting on their campus, two scholars at ��о�� decided to come together and take action.

��о�� Media Sources on Trade, Supply Chain

Karen Michele Nikos — March 05, 2025 - 10:52am

��о�� sources for media on tariffs and trade policies

Weekender: The Sun is Out, New Art is In

Jamie Sara Gelfond — February 27, 2025 - 10:43am

Le Jazz Hot Quartet plays in the style and spirit of Django Reinhardt for noon concert

Thursday, Feb. 27, 12:05 p.m., Recital Hall at Ann E. Pitzer Center

How Does Investment in Black Communities Help Everyone?

Karen Michele Nikos — February 21, 2025 - 9:50am

This story is part of California Voices, a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight Californians directly impacted by policy or its absence. Learn more here.

What is Birthright Citizenship?

Jamie Sara Gelfond — February 21, 2025 - 9:21am

Gregory Downs, a constitutional scholar and professor of history in the College of Lette

Diving in Antarctica

Andy Fell — February 11, 2025 - 2:06pm

The McMurdo Dry Valleys don’t look like they belong in Antarctica. Largely devoid of snow, the landscape is mostly dirt and rock. When explorer Robert Falcon Scott trekked the area in 1903, he referred to it as “the valley of the dead.”

But that name is a misnomer. While life may not be evident to the naked eye, beneath the icy surface of Lake Fryxell, microscopic communities teem with life. Microbes, nematode worms and tardigrades thrive in this environment.