Message from Dean Carmie Garzione | August 2025 Newsletter
Dear College of Science community,
Welcome to a new academic year at the University of Arizona!
The College of Science is home to a dynamic community of scientists whose expertise spans Earth sciences; life and molecular sciences; mathematics and computational sciences; neural, cognitive, and behavioral sciences; and physics and space sciences. The convergence of these disciplines enables curiosity to flourish and groundbreaking discoveries to take shape—many of which we’re proud to share in this newsletter.
Welcome back, students
Students, we invite you to dive into the spirit of exploration and innovation by engaging with faculty, staff, and your classmates in meaningful ways. Step outside your comfort zone — join a student club, explore new interests, and embrace new challenges. Visit the College of Science Career Center to prepare for internships, research opportunities, and your future career. You are surrounded by a vibrant community ready to support you. We’re here to help you thrive and make the most of your U of A experience.
Two new majors
This academic year, we’re excited to introduce two new undergraduate majors: Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience. These programs reflect the rapid growth and interdisciplinary nature of science today. The Artificial Intelligence major prepares students to develop and apply machine learning and intelligent systems across industries, while the Neuroscience major explores the nervous system, from the level of individual genes and proteins to mechanisms that govern complex behaviors. Both programs are designed to equip students with cutting-edge tools and hands-on experience in fields shaping the future.
Research excellence
In a time of financial uncertainty, and research remains a core pillar of the College of Science and University of Arizona mission. This past fiscal year, our college’s research expenditures were $148 million. To highlight just a few of the upcoming research events within our community, I’d like to bring attention to the Aspera mission and Pandora mission.
The U of A-led NASA Aspera mission, featuring a space telescope developed at Steward Observatory that will study galaxy evolution through observation of ultraviolet light. Led by Dr. Carlos Vargas, an assistant astronomer at Steward Observatory, Aspera will study the so-called circumgalactic medium, the diffuse matter surrounding galaxies that may contribute to the birth of stars and planets. Aspera is scheduled to launch into orbit in early 2026.
The Pandora mission, led by Dr. Daniel Apai, a professor and astronomer at the U of A, utilizes a small satellite poised to provide in-depth study of at least 20 known planets orbiting distant stars to determine the composition of their atmospheres – especially the presence of hazes, clouds and water. The data will establish a firm foundation for interpreting measurements by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and future missions aimed at searching for habitable worlds.
We look forward to sharing updates about these missions and many of the other ongoing research efforts in the College of Science – in future editions of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Carmie Garzione
Dean, College of Science