Why did we start the Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy club at UC Irvine?
The American Institute of Physics reports that, as of 2021, only 25% of bachelor’s degrees in physics and only 20% of doctoral degrees in physics in the U.S. were awarded to women1. This gender gap situation is unfortunately present also in our Department of Physics & Astronomy, where women and non-binary people made up 29% of the graduate students in the 2023-2024 school year2. The Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy Club (UNITY at UCI) arranges multiple social events each quarter in order to create a supportive environment for all students within the department. We also provide a scholarship awarded on a quarterly basis for need-based financial support for to graduate programs in physics and astronomy.
UNITY collaborates with the UCI Physics Graduate Caucus in running NOVA, a mentoring program pairing up undergraduate student mentees with grad student/postdoc mentors. We aim to decrease the attrition rate of physics majors of diverse gender identities while providing a supportive community. While our organization focuses on gender inequity we are welcome to students of all identities and backgrounds.
If you’d like to join or have any questions, email us at unity@uci.edu!
Faculty Advisor:
Mu-Chun Chen (she/her)
Founding Members:
Laura Innes, Giada Carminati, Annika Peter
Current Leadership:
President: Izzie Catanzaro
Izzie Catanzaro (they/them):
I am a graduate student in experimental condensed matter working on periodic strained 2-D materials at high frequency. I enjoy cooking, baking, and watching murder mysteries. I love fashion and writing little think pieces on media and fashion.
Treasurer: Hana Schiff
Hana Schiff (she/her):
Hana is a condensed matter theorist working with Judit Romhanyi at the intersection of magnetism, symmetries and topology. She grew up in Portland, OR but was born in Belgrade, Serbia where she received a bachelor’s degrees and her master’s in physics. However, her first undergraduate degree is from Harvey Mudd College in physical biochemistry. Hana loves music and art — she plays piano, loves to doodle, and dabbles in photography. UNITY is one of Hana’s favorite ways to be involved with our department.
Undergraduate President: Natalie Batra
Natalie Batra (she/her):I’m a 3rd year undergraduate majoring in physics. Currently, I am working with Professor Siwy in soft-condensed matter and nanofluidics on ionic circuits and material and chemical properties. I also enjoy practicing scientific communication with the UCI Physics and Astronomy Blog. I love video games like Frostpunk and have been listening to a lot of house music lately. Feel free to say hi if you see me on the paths or reach out if you need anything!
Success Scholarship Officer & UNITY Multipurpose Space Liaison: Patricia Fofie
Patricia Fofie (she/they):
I am an astrophysics graduate student studying the affects of Supermassive Black Hole Feedback on Galaxy Morphology using FIRE simulations. In my free time I enjoy crafts, niche video essays, reading, and picnics!
Mentoring Coordinator: Samah Alawfi
Samah Alawfi (She/her):
Transfer Coordinator & Secretary: Lauren Vukovich
Lauren Vukovich (she/her)
Allyship Liaison: Jake Rudolph
Jake Rudolph (he/him): I’m a graduate student studying applications of machine learning to theoretical particle physics. I like dogs, trees, and am quite fond of food.
Aanchal Rakesh Haswani
Aanchal Rakesh Haswani (she/her):
Open Leadership Positions:
Events Coordinator:
THIS COULD BE YOU!
Take the lead on planning events, including booking spaces, managing event budgets, and coordinating with other student organizations for collaborative events.
DEI Coordinator:
THIS COULD BE YOU!
Take the lead on DEI events such as allyship workshops, contacting the climate committees in the physics department and School of Physical Sciences.
Leadership Alumni:
Abby Bault, India Bhalla-Ladd, Claire Rogers, Setayesh Nekarae
Funded in part by APS
- https://www.aps.org/learning-center/statistics/diversity ↩︎
- https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/about-us/information-center/doctoral-program – based on combined Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, and Chemical & Materials Physics enrollment data. ↩︎