What is dark matter? What allows the recently discovered Higgs boson to have such a low mass? How can we find evidence of supersymmetry? If you're Joe Incandela, UC Santa Barbara professor of physics, these are the kinds of questions you might consider for your talk as the next UCSB Faculty Research Lecturer. Incandela has been chosen to receive the award for 2016; it is the highest honor bestowed by the university on one of its faculty members.

"I am thrilled to congratulate Professor Incandela, recently appointed as our Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, on receiving our campus's highest research recognition," UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang said. "This well-deserved honor is especially meaningful as it is bestowed by our very own colleagues. His world-renowned breakthrough research in the field of particle physics has unveiled a greater understanding of our origins and continues to shed new light on the mysteries of our universe. Our campus eagerly anticipates what I am certain will be a compelling lecture this fall."

Incandela is the 61st recipient of the award since it was established in 1955. His lecture will take place later this year, with a date and time yet to be determined. It will be free and open to the public.