The Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences is thrilled to welcome the outstanding new faculty who have joined us over the past year. Their expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, from the complexities of volcanic gases to the frontiers of sustainability chemistry and advancements in science education. We invite the campus community to meet the scholars and educators who are shaping the future of research and teaching at UC Santa Barbara.
Daniel Dauhajre
Department of Geography
I am a physical oceanographer specializing in ocean modeling. I completed my M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UCLA. My research focuses on the fundamental dynamics of turbulent ocean flows and waves across multiple scales, as well as their interactions with marine ecosystems, such as kelp forests.
On Living in Santa Barbara: The open space and access to the ocean. The small town feel (compared to LA) is also growing on me.
Cristine (Cristie) Donham
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
I hold a doctorate in immunology and hematopoietic stem cell development. My current work in biology education focuses on helping students thrive in college, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. My lab explores how sense of belonging impacts student persistence and success, as well as quantifying cognitive engagement linked to academic outcomes.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Being able to go to the beach.
Tobias Fischer
Department of Earth Science & Earth Research Institute
I am a native of Germany and studied Geology at the Universität Freiburg. In the 1990's I had the fortunate opportunity to come to the US and pursue a Ph.D. at Arizona State University, working with an outstanding group of faculty in the field of volcano science. Since that time my interest has been in active volcanism and hydrothermal systems. Before coming to UCSB as professor and ERI director, I was at the University of New Mexico where my students and built the Volatiles Laboratory to investigate volcanic gases and how they drive and indicate processes occurring deep inside the Earth's crust and mantle. I am excited to collaboratively continue and expand this line of research here.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I really like how easy it is to get around by bicycle and by walking.
Fun Fact: Although, I have never played an instrument before, I am now a student of the djembe (a West African hand-drum) and have organized retreats to bring masters and students together to teach, learn, play and build community.
Grace Han
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
I'm an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UC Santa Barbara. My research focuses on developing light-driven molecular systems for solar energy storage, recyclable materials, and optically controlled functions. Inspired by nature’s strategies for converting and storing photon energy, my group designs organic materials that harness light to achieve energy-efficient and sustainable applications.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I love the combination of beautiful ocean views and mountains so close to campus. It makes every day feel inspiring.
Fun Fact: I recently made the cross-country move from Boston to Santa Barbara with my research group and my dog, Mango—a journey that felt like a shared adventure for all of us, and we’re already enjoying our new coastal home.
Laura Simone Lewis
Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Anthropology
I am fascinated by the evolution and development of social cognition in humans and our great ape cousins. I earned my B.S. from Duke University, my M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University, and was then a UC President's Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley before joining the faculty at UCSB with a joint appointment in the departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Anthropology. My lab uses cutting-edge non-invasive technology like eye tracking, thermal imaging, motion tracking, and behavioral methods to uncover how social cognition evolves across time and develops across ontogeny in humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos. We study chimpanzees and bonobos living at zoos and sanctuaries around the world to explore their abilities to form, build, and repair social relationships. I am also committed to compassionate mentorship and am driven to create a scientific world that is more diverse, equitable, just, and kind.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I love the diversity of both the natural ecosystems and the amazing food scenes in Santa Barbara!
Fun Fact: I am always excited to try new outdoor sports and activities! I'm currently very into rock climbing, backpacking, and surfing.
Jesús Martínez-Gómez
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
Jesús Martínez-Gómez is an evolutionary botanist from Ferndale, Washington. He attended the University of Washington for his undergraduate and obtained a Ph.D from Cornell University. His lab studies evolutionary and developmental origin of plant reproductive structures: Why do new species of plant arise? What is the genetic basis of plant structures? His lab will investigate these fundamental question primarily in Monkeyflower but including other California native plants.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I have not moved there yet, but I look forward to paddle boarding in the ocean.
Fun Fact: I once bested a Groundhog in my garden.
Carolina A. Martinez-Gutierrez
Department of Earth Science
Carolina is an evolutionary biologist who is passionate about investigating the processes that have driven and continue driving the evolution of the enormous microbial diversity we see on our planet. She is particularly interested in investigating how microbial life and Earth have co-evolved across billions of years. Her group approaches this question through the computational analysis of DNA sequences of microbes coming from a wide diversity of environments.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Nature.
Fun Fact: The microbes I study are like Earth’s original superheroes—they sparked the Great Oxidation Event over 2 billion years ago, turning our planet’s atmosphere into breathable air and making human life as we know it possible!
Stephanie Pazos
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Stephanie Pazos received her PhD from UCLA under the guidance of Prof. Richard Kaner. Her doctoral thesis titled “Perfluorophenylazide Photochemistry for the Modification of Materials” received the UCLA Chemists Association Dissertation Award in Inorganic Chemistry. She is a first generation Latina with an interest in helping other underrepresented minorities strive in STEM. Current research interests include investigating how to create more inclusive learning environment in chemistry classrooms and to investigate inequity in chemistry laboratory classes. Outside of academia, she has worked in several industries conducting polymer, surface science, and nanofluidic research.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I love going to the beach.
Fun Fact: I just had my second son Rory in November 2024.
Prateek
Department of Physics
I work in the field of theoretical particle physics. My research aims to combine physical insight, technical mathematics, and creative ideas to solve fundamental questions in physics, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy. I did my undergrad at IIT Bombay, and a PhD at University of Maryland. I was a postdoc at Fermilab and Harvard, and held a junior faculty position at Oxford before moving to UCSB.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I find that all the trees in Santa Barbara are interesting.
Annie Qu
Department of Statistics and Applied Probability
Annie Qu is Professor at Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California, Santa Barbara starting July 2025. She received her Ph.D. in Statistics from the Pennsylvania State University in 1998. Qu’s research focuses on solving fundamental issues regarding structured and unstructured large-scale data and developing cutting-edge statistical methods and theory in machine learning and algorithms for personalized medicine, text mining, recommender systems, medical imaging data, and network data analyses for complex heterogeneous data. Dr. Qu was a Data Science Founder Professor of Statistics and the Director of the Illinois Statistics Office at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during her tenure in 2008-2019, and Chancellor's Professor at UC Irvine in 2020-2025. She was a recipient of the NSF Career award from 2004 to 2009. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), the American Statistical Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is also a recipient of IMS Medallion Award and Lecturer in 2024. She serves as Journal of the American Statistical Association Theory and Methods Co-Editor from 2023 to 2025, IMS Program Secretary from 2021 to 2027 and ASA Council of Sections of Governing Board Chair in 2025. She is the recipient of the 2025 Carver Medal of IMS.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Research environment of UCSB, and campus is right on the ocean. My house is walking distance to beach in Goleta.
Fun Fact: I grow a lot of passion fruit in my yard. This year I have more than 500 passion fruits!
Bhavna Shamasunder
Environmental Studies Program
I am a community engaged scholar with a focus on environmental justice. I work in partnership with communities who live on the frontlines of industrial pollution, and most of my work is informed by community questions. My current projects focus on neighborhood oil drilling, which is longstanding and continuous in Los Angeles; and better understanding exposures from consumer products chemicals (such as beauty products) for women of color, who often are marketed some of the most toxic products in what is an unregulated landscape.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I still primarily live in Los Angeles but I do like Santa Barbara! I like the marine layer, and the way the sunlight filters in when it starts to clear.
Fun Fact: Early in my career, I wanted to be a tropical forest ecologist, so I spent months living in the Brazilian Amazon and training with a scientist. Obviously, I ended up on a different path, but I still love forests.
Jackie Shay
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
Dr. Jackie Shay is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, specializing in inclusive teaching practices in biology education. With a background in fungal evolution and microbial ecology coupled with a mission to implement culturally responsive teaching practices, Dr. Shay’s research focuses on joy-centered pedagogy, equity-minded faculty development, and the integration of accessible course-based research experiences. Her academic work explores the intersection of STEM education, biodiversity, and social justice, aiming to foster authentic and engaging and interdisciplinary learning experiences for diverse student populations.
On Living in Santa Barbara: The chilly marine mornings.
Fun Fact: I was an actress and creative writer before I was a teacher or scientist.
Audrey Thellman
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
I am a freshwater ecosystem ecologist interested in understanding how our freshwaters are responding to global change. Using tools ranging from installed sensors to earth-observing satellites, I primarily work at the base of aquatic food webs, evaluating how the timing and magnitude of nutrients, light, and temperature impact primary producers. My current research is focused on how changing ice and snow conditions may impact the carbon cycle of freshwater ecosystems.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I am originally from Southern California and have enjoyed reconnecting to ocean swimming.
Justin Wilson
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Justin started his independent career at Cornell in 2015, and just moved to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry this summer. His research spans the field of bioinorganic and sustainability chemistry. He works on molecules that can alter metal ion trafficking in cells. For example, he has developed an inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium uptake that elicits protective effects in in vivo stroke models. In another area of research, he is working on metal chelators for their use in nuclear medicine. Specifically, his lab has designed a suite of chelators that can deliver radioactive metal ions selectivity to tumor cells. Lastly, his team is interested in the separation and recovery of critical minerals from the environment as well as waste products. His group recently disclosed a facile approach to separate rare earth elements.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara is a beautiful place to do world-class science!
Fun Fact: I have a cat that is named after a character from the show The Office.
Matthias Wink
Department of Mathematics
Matthias obtained his DPhil from Oxford and after positions at UCLA and in Münster, Germany, has joint the UCSB Math Department in 2024. His research is in Riemannian geometry with an emphasis on the interaction of curvature and topology, as well as special geometric structures.
On Living in Santa Barbara: The farmers market in downtown Santa Barbara is a lively place with a fantastic selection of local produce.
Brandon Woo
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
My research program asks how humans come to understand others' actions and minds, particularly in social contexts. Through studies of infants and toddlers, my lab aims to reveal our early-emerging knowledge of other people and to characterize the developmental foundations of human learning, cooperation, and social life more broadly.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I like that I live within walking distance of a Costco.
Fun Fact: Growing up, I'd considered becoming a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, mostly to ride horses in parades.
Zijian Yao
Department of Mathematics
I work in arithmetic geometry and number theory.
On Living in Santa Barbara: I haven't moved there yet (due to some visa problems). But I heard the Channel islands/Catalina island has great scuba diving, so very looking forward to that.
Tianyu Zhang
Department of Statistics & Applied Probability
I did my undergraduate studies in biology and mathematics at Peking University, China. Afterwards, I continued my training as a statistician at the University of Washington and Carnegie Mellon University. I enjoy studying statistical problems relevant to data science practice, and I have worked with many academic and industrial collaborators who have access to exceptional first-hand data sets. I find that a wide research spectrum---from theoretical statistics to real-world applications---suits me well, and the diversity of problems I have explored has greatly enriched my research life.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara definitely excels as a lovely town to live in. We love the Saturday farmers’ market and the easy access to fresh local uni. I appreciate the harmonious relationship between humans, animals, and nature here.
Fun Fact: We have two guinea pigs, and they love relaxing in their little hidey while enjoying the breeze here.
Yong Zhou
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
I grew up in Southeastern China (Sichuan Province) and earned my B.A. from Northeast Normal University (2010) and M.S. from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2013) before moving to the U.S. for my Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M University (2018). I then completed a four-year postdoc at Yale University, supported in part by the G. Evelyn Hutchinson Fellowship. From 2022 to 2025, I was an Assistant Professor at Utah State University before joining UC Santa Barbara in July 2025. Our research group investigates how ecosystem processes respond to global change, with a focus on carbon and nutrient dynamics in fire-prone ecosystems. Current projects explore (1) plant–soil–microbe feedbacks to fire and (2) the biogeochemistry of ecosystem engineers such as termites. Much of our work is based in African savannas, where we combine field experiments, observational studies, and biogeochemical analyses to understand how disturbances shape ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services.
On Living in Santa Barbara: Having the ocean and mountains so close is amazing.
We also look forward to welcoming additional faculty joining us later in the year. We will update this page with their profiles as they come on board.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new colleagues. We are excited for the innovation and energy they bring to our division and the broader UCSB community.