A $3 million donation from physicist and philanthropist Mani L. Bhaumik will enable UCLA to establish a program for recruiting postdoctoral fellows in the departments of physics and astronomy, as well as chemistry and biochemistry. The gift aims to enhance UCLA’s ability to contribute to fundamental research in these areas.
The UCLA Division of Physical Sciences is matching Bhaumik’s contribution with an additional $1.5 million for the new fellowship program. Bhaumik, who once worked as a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA, has been supporting the division for over ten years.
“I almost grew up along with UCLA — when I came here at 28, I wasn’t that much younger than the university,” said Bhaumik. “It’s really amazing to have seen the growth of UCLA and where it is going.”
Bhaumik’s career began after arriving in the United States on a Sloan Foundation postdoctoral fellowship. He played a significant role in developing laser technology that led to Lasik eye surgery during his time at Northrop Grumman.
“Few people are as driven as Mani Bhaumik to further scientific discovery by investing in the next generation of talented researchers,” said Miguel García-Garibay, dean of physical sciences and senior dean of the UCLA College.
Launching within the division of physical sciences, this pilot initiative will support scholars conducting research and engaging in service activities across various disciplines. Each year, four postdoctoral fellows will be recruited for up to three-year terms over four consecutive years, supporting approximately 16 fellows in total over six years.
“The importance of a postdoctoral fellowship program cannot be overstated,” said Stuart Brown, chair of the UCLA Department of Physics and Astronomy. “We will be reaching out to departments throughout the U.S. and abroad.”
The program will also offer career development opportunities and training in intellectual property and entrepreneurship. Participants will be prepared for independent careers as principal investigators or entrepreneurs at top institutions.
“The best thing about all of this is that we don’t yet know what new discoveries will be made,” said Alexander Spokoyny, chair of the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
