Exploring Your Universe: Science and Education Pioneer Award

Supporting Our Students

Mani Bhaumik

2022: Dr. Mani L. Bhaumik

Founder of the Mani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics at UCLA and the Mani L. Bhaumik Presidential Chair in Theoretical Physics.

Andrea Ghez

2020: Andrea Ghez

Winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics and UCLA’s Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Professor of Astrophysics.

Students wearing Exploring Your Universe t-shirts

2019: Mayim Bialik

UCLA alumna (B.S. Neuroscience ’00, PhD ’07), bestselling author, star of “The Big Bang Theory,” and advocate for STEM education and women in science.

Danica McKellar

2018: Danica McKellar

UCLA alumna (B.S. Mathematics ’98 with highest honors), actress and New York Times best-selling author.

Anna Lee Fisher wearing Nasa uniform

2017: Anna Fisher

UCLA alumna (B.S. Chemistry ’71, M.D. ’76, M.S. Chemistry ’87), retired astronaut and UCLA Education Pioneer awardee.