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Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics

Headshots of Alice Alldredge, Lars Bildsten and Henry Yang overlaid on a photo an academic building
Left to right: Alice Alldredge, Lars Bildsten and Henry Yang have been elected as members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Three UCSB professors elected as members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

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Lily Collins presents David Gross with his Breakthrough Award
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Lester Cohen/Getty Images Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize
Lily Collins and David J. Gross, 2026 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics winner speak onstage during the 12th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar on April 18, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.

UCSB’s David Gross wins Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
Phoito-illustration of Boris Shraiman in front of a blackboard.
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Matt Perko
Boris Shraiman

Boris Shraiman points a physicist’s eye on biological quandaries
Aerial view of the ocean, beach and mountains surrounding a university campus
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Jeff Liang
An aerial view of the UC Santa Barbara campus.

UCSB praised for excellence, access and value in national rankings
white man in front of blackboard
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Matt Perko
Joseph Polchinski at UCSB’s Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, where he advanced pivotal ideas in string theory and quantum gravity.

Polchinski archive opens digital window into renowned physicist’s work
Six adults sitting across from one another near a chalkboard filled with equations
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Jeff Liang
A group of KITP postdoctoral scholars interact at Kohn Hall on the UC Santa Barbara campus

Continuing to enhance the physics community
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UC Santa Barbara again named ‘Best Place to Work’
Two students ascend the modern stairway of an academic building with bright sun overhead
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Matt Perko

UC Santa Barbara ranks among top universities nationally and globally in recent assessments

Physicists work toward theory to describe pattern formation in conserved fields
Kohn Hall

KITP on Campus

Researchers with GRIT

Another Major Breakthrough
Joseph Polchinski

UCSB Physicist Receives International Acclaim for His Work in Theoretical Physics
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