ARIZONA SCIENCE ALUMNI
Scientists better the
world around us.
The College of Science unites a community of globally prominent scientists, researchers, and professionals. As a graduate of the University of Arizona, you are a valued member of our community and a Wildcat for Life!
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Connect With Us
We understand and appreciate that our Alumni are a valuable resource for our current students. Explore how you can stay in touch, share opportunities, and volunteer to mentor our students by partnering with the College of Science Career Center.
College of Science alumni around the world are doing incredible things. Explore the Alumni Spotlight series to learn more about the impact fellow alums are making in their field of study.
Reunite with fellow alumni on Homecoming weekend! Swing by the free College of Science tailgate party on the lawn outside of Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium for food, fun, and more. Homecoming is set for November 8, 2025!
Arizona Alumni serves more than 300,000 former Arizona students, creating a community for Wildcats to remain connected to their alma mater and to each other.
It’s no secret that our alumni are a highly interesting and talented bunch. We are doing amazing things all over the world. Plugging into our varied community can only lead to exciting new horizons.
The College of Science offers a wide range of programs designed to inform and engage our alumni in scientific research. Come visit one of our many outreach sites and soak up the science!
Alumni of the Year Award
The 2024 College of Science Alumni of the Year awardee is Dr. Duncan Buell, class of 1971. Among his many notable accomplishments, his research has been used in applications of computing: number theory, cryptography, information retrieval, digital humanities and election data analysis.
Alumni of the Year Recipients
Dr. Duncan Buell graduated from the University of Arizona in 1971 with a bachelor’s in mathematics, continuing a family legacy of U of A alumni that began in the early 1900s.
Dr. Buell finished his doctorate in mathematics at the University of Illinois Chicago in 1976 and taught at Carleton University in Ontario and Bowling Green State University, eventually earning tenure at Louisiana State University in 1982. In 1986, he moved to the new National Security Agency-sponsored Supercomputing Research Center in Maryland. Among other things, he managed the build of a novel computer now standard in high-end computers. He was part of a team receiving a Meritorious Unit Citation from DCI George Tenet for “the largest single computation in the history of the U. S. intelligence community.”
In 2000, Dr. Buell moved to the University of South Carolina, serving nine years as department chair in computer science and a year as interim dean. In 2013, he was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Buell’s research has been in applications of computing: number theory, cryptography, information retrieval, digital humanities and election data analysis. In 2016, Dr. Buell founded the Duncan Buell Everything is Mathematics Public Lecture Series Endowment to promote public engagement with mathematics. The series is designed to captivate non-expert audiences, highlighting the relevance and beauty of mathematics in everyday lives.
Dr. Brinton is one of the university’s most distinguished research leaders as she is a Regents Professor of pharmacology, neurology, psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology and toxicology. She also is the director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science and holds appointments in the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, the Neuroscience Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, the BIO5 Institute and Clinical Translational Sciences.
Her research on Alzheimer’s disease has led to critical insights into the causes of the disease as well as cutting-edge therapeutics to treat it. At the Center for Innovation in Brain Science, she leads an innovative hybrid academic/biotech research ecosystem that supports multiple levels of research.
Although her extensive research achievements alone make her an internationally recognized leader in the field, Dr, Brinton also is a leader in training the next generation of scientists — both at the university, as an educator, trainer and mentor, and beyond, through her professional leadership in national organizations.
In a career at the University of Arizona spanning over 30 years, Edgar J. McCullough Jr. made fundamental changes to the university’s approach to science education, transformed the geology program into a top-ranked program in geosciences and served as dean of the newly formed College of Science. Read more about Dr. McCullough and meet all the awardees here.
Scientist with an impressive career as an educator and in research with a commitment to investigating environmental health factors and servicing underrepresented populations.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/MaNmTXHk6Ok
Globally recognized and top planetary scientist with leadership roles in the planetary science community.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/YowkNa_Hp90
Accomplished physicist with a remarkable career influencing space and aviation. A pioneer in mapping the moon.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/lu30sEdxVMI
Internationally recognized researcher making significant strides in parasite biology and working to improve health on a global scale.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/NwrnSjEs2F4
Recognized leader in astronomy who currently is the executive officer of the American Astronomical Society.
Alumni Association Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Q7SoWIThiXo
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/7son-eba6VU
Prominent experimentalist in nuclear physics.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/wWhAbyuIPdM
UA News Article: https://news.arizona.edu/blog/science-alumnus-year-kenneth-krane
Organic chemist who spent 35 years at 3M Company in a variety of chemistry, engineering and management positions.
Alumni Association video: https://youtu.be/s-a4ZCOUxaA
Known world-wide for his work on lightning and thunderstorm electricity.
NASA Astronaut has logged a total of 306 days in space on three missions.
UA News Article: https://news.arizona.edu/story/space-bound-astronaut-is-a-ua-alum
Geophysicist.
Specializes in industrial development and was instrumental in the development of the UA Science and Technology Park.
Had a 36 year career with worldwide responsibility for all Geoscience in ExxonMobil Development Company.