SF State Magazine issue highlights CoSE programs, faculty and alum

Three articles in the most recent issue of SF State magazine highlight the College of Science and Engineering, from new grants that will bring cutting-edge equipment to the college to a prominent astronomer alum turning her telescope on planet Earth.

This issue’s “Changemakers” section highlights CoSE faculty members who have gone above and beyond to obtain grants for new equipment for student research. This year has been exceptionally challenging for university budgets nationwide, but Professor of Biology Diana Chu and Professor of Computer Engineering Hamid Mahmoodi haven’t let that stop them from finding ways to give students cutting-edge research experiences in areas like cellular engineering, artificial intelligence and robotics.

In a feature article about how COVID-19 has changed how faculty members see their field of expertise, Professor of Geography and Environment Jason Henderson discusses the future of transportation — and how the virus presents an opportunity to re-envision public transit in a way that’s both more equitable and more sustainable.

Finally, Yale astronomer and SF State alumna Debra Fischer makes an appearance in this year’s Class Notes section, where she discusses an advocacy group she leads along with SF State Professor of Astronomy Adrienne Cool. Their organization, Astronomers for Planet Earth, aims to enlist the expertise of astronomers worldwide to show the world that even as we study far-flung planets, there’s no Planet B for humanity. “There’s no place like home,” Fischer said. “Everything I’ve worked for for 20 years means nothing if we don’t save this planet.”