Exploring Physics & Engineering 2026

Designed for high school, community college, physics and engineering majors, other STEM majors, and anyone from science enthusiasts to skeptics to explore modern research across physical biology, quantum materials, experimental neutrino physics, energy & propulsion, and electronic materials. Our speakers hold appointments spanning physics, biology, biophysics, mechanical, aerospace, chemical, electrical, and computer engineering, and materials science. Moving past dense academic lectures, this interdisciplinary summit features research talks and open audience Q&As with Caltech and USC faculty, including Rob Phillips, Nai-Chang Yeh, and Ryan Patterson of Caltech, former USC Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering chair Paul Ronney, and Jayakanth Ravichandran of USC. Short abstracts and bios of speakers will be posted soon below and on our Instagram. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with the opportunity to network with faculty and community college and university students from all over Southern California. Registration is free; seating is limited and registration will close once it’s full, or on Tuesday, November 17, whichever comes first.

Event Overview

Agenda

Friday, November 20, 2026

Glendale Community College, BV-101

8:30 – 9:10 AM

Check-In & Breakfast

9:10 – 9:15 AM

Opening Remarks & Overview

9:15 – 10:05 AM

Rob Phillips — Professor of Biophysics and Biology, Caltech

Biophysics/Physical Biology

10:10 – 11:00 AM

Nai-Chang Yeh — Professor of Physics, Caltech

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

11:00 – 11:15 AM

Break

11:15 AM – 12:05 PM

Ryan Patterson — Professor of Physics, Caltech

Experimental Particle Physics

12:05 – 1:05 PM

Lunch/Networking Reception

1:05 – 1:55 PM

Paul Ronney — Professor and Previous Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, USC

Aeronautical, Astronautical, and Mechanical Engineering

2:00 – 2:50 PM

Jayakanth Ravichandran — Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering, USC

Electronic Materials

2:50 – 3:00 PM

Closing

Agenda (PDF)

Logistics

What’s included

Dynamic sessions: Research talks paired with Q&A and conversation
Networking: Built-in time to meet faculty and fellow physics, engineering, and other STEM students from all over Southern California
Food: Coffee/pastries and lunch will be provided (details to registered attendees; vegetarian options available)
Free parking: Details will be provided to registered attendees

Parking & check-in

Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:30 AM in BV-101
Parking guidance for Glendale Community College will be sent to registered attendees

Accessibility & travel support

We aim to make this event accessible to everyone who wants to attend. If transportation is a financial barrier — especially if it would decide whether you can come in person — email us. Limited Southern California travel support may be available.

Contact

For questions or accessibility needs, please email Sherry: sherryp1@ucla.edu

All registered attendees will receive a reminder email before the event with check-in details and the latest agenda. If you don’t receive it, email Sherry ASAP — your address may have bounced.

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot early. Registration will close once capacity is reached.

This event is completely free to registered attendees and is funded by the UCLA Community Activities Committee (CAC).

Registration Now Open: Exploring Physics & Engineering (Nov 20 @ Glendale Community College) — [Register Now →]