UC Irvine Giving Day 2025

UC Irvine EarthRise Physical Sciences is a special fundraising initiative designed to educate the community about the teaching and research activities at the School of Physical Sciences. It empowers the School to create awareness, build relationships, and generate critical current-use and endowed support for student success and cutting-edge research. EarthRise focuses on six areas of excellence including: Lift-Off, Climate, Health, Energy, Quantum, and Beyond.

EarthRise officially launched in November 2024 with Professors Charlie Zender, Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, and Jenny Yang leading an open discussion on climate challenges and the impacts on our community and society. Professor Finlayson-Pitts shared that while electric vehicles (EVs) are Zero Exhaust Emission Vehicles (ZEEV), their brakes still emit gases similar to those from wildfires. But the good news is: AirUCI is working towards solutions!

Soon thereafter, EarthRise Physical Sciences hosted its inaugural, endowed Ruth Ann Evans and John Evans Family Beyond Lecture, featuring Paul Robertson, Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy, with a captivating presentation on the Search for Exoplanets Around the Nearest Stars. 

In January 2025, with the generous sponsorship of SoCalGas, the EarthRise Energy Lecture featured Sarah Finkeldei, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Jack Brouwer, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. As leading experts in developing clean and abundant energy, both Professor Finkeldei (nuclear) and Professor Brouwer(hydrogen) highlighted their contributions to a more sustainable world.

Many experts believe that next technological revolution will be driven by a deeper understanding of the quantum world. Inspired by this idea, the Eddleman Quantum Institute (EQI) hosted the EarthRise Quantum lecture in April. EQI Director Bill Evans introduced two Eddleman Fellows - graduate students Mashnoon Sakib and Steven Allison - along with EQI faculty member Professor Clare Yu, Professor, Physics & Astronomy. They each presented groundbreaking developments in quantum communications, computing, and sensing.

Later in June, community champions and philanthropists, James and Kelly Mazzo, will be hosting the EarthRise Health lecture, as one of our world-renowned chemists and faculty members, Professor Elizabeth Bess, shares her developments in the fields of Parkinson’s research. 

Join us in continuing our efforts in educating the community about research and teaching excellence taking place at UC Irvine Physical Sciences. Your gift today to the Physical Sciences’ EarthRise fund will drive student discovery and amplify and enhance the classroom experience. Students of all majors taking classes in any of our departments – chemistry, Earth system science, mathematics, and physics & astronomy – will benefit from the new opportunities made possible by you, through your Giving Day gift to the EarthRise Fund, Dean’s Excellence Fund, or one of our department funds (Chemistry, Earth System Science, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy).

Together, we can make the world a brighter and healthier place by focusing on our six areas of excellence for EarthRise: Lift-Off, Climate, Health, Energy, Quantum, and Beyond.