Why did we start the Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy club at UC Irvine?
The Department of Commerce’s Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation (August 2011) revealed that women represent a mere 24 percent of the STEM workforce. This gender gap situation is unfortunately present also in our Department of Physics & Astronomy, where women make up a little bit less than 20% of the graduate students. A similar percentage is found also among the faculty staff. Post-docs seem to have a better percentage, with a 38% presence of women. The Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy Club arranges multiple social events each quarter in order to create a supportive environment for women and non-binary folx within the department. We also assist in outreach activities for younger (K-12) students to educate and encourage the next generation of women scientists.
The UCI Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy club also organizes and runs 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.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, this quarter the UCI Underrepresented Genders in Physics & Astronomy club has begun to host virtual events to facilitate community building in the department. Please see the Events page for more info.
If you’d like to join or have any questions, email us at unity@uci.edu!
Faculty Advisor:
Mu-Chun Chen
Founding Members:
Laura Innes, Giada Carminati, Annika Peter
Current Leadership:
Co-Presidents: Abby Bault, India Bhalla-Ladd, and Patricia Fofie
India Bhalla-Ladd (she/her): I’m a second-year PhD student studying particle physics from Washington, DC. I also care a lot about the philosophy of physics and the intersection of critical theories and the philosophy of science. In my free time, I enjoy roller-blading, playing volleyball, sewing, crocheting, and baking!
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!
Vice President: Mica Bacani
Mica Bacani (she/her): I am currently a second year PhD graduate student conducting research in experimental condensed matter physics, studying the behavior of electrons in two-dimensional materials with Dr. Javier Sanchez-Yamagishi. In my free time, I love to watch/play basketball, listen to music, watching anime and k-drama, and playing games on my PC.
Secretaries: Hana Schiff and Claire Rogers
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.
Claire Rogers (she/her): I am an Astrophysics graduate student studying the stellar activity of M-dwarf stars and looking for exoplanets around such stars. In my free time I enjoy painting, reading, and playing piano.
Mentoring Coordinator: Setayesh Nekarae
Website Coordinators: Claire Rogers, Eric Rumsfeld, Jake Rudolph
Event Coordinator: 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.
