UC Santa Barbara's science faculty includes four Nobel laureates (in chemistry and physics) and numerous elected members or fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
This culture of excellence is reflected in our faculty's exceptional success in securing competitive federal funding. Between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, their research proposals achieved a 34% funding rate from the National Science Foundation, a figure significantly above the national average.
Open Endowed Chairs
Bedrosian Coyne Presidential Chair in Neuroscience
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Donors: Karen Bedrosian Coyne ‘91 and Ted Coyne, John and Judith Bedrosian
Status: Currently vacant
John Carbon Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Donors: Amgen Foundation, William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation, Franklin and Catherine Johnson Foundation, and the Rathmann Family Foundation
Status: Currently vacant
Chang Family Endowed Chair in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Donors: Dr. Shing Chang ‘75 and Sheng-Yung P. Chang ‘71
Status: Currently vacant
Roy and Janet Hardiman Interdisciplinary Chair in Molecular Biology
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Donors: Roy ‘81, ’83 and Janet Hardiman
Status: Currently vacant
E. Khashoggi Industries, LLC Chair in Letters and Science
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Donors: Essam and Layla Khashoggi
Status: Currently vacant
Charles A. Storke II Chair in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Donor: Charles A. Storke, II
Status: Currently vacant
Wenger Family Chair in Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Studies Program
Donors: Howard '82 and Lisa '82 Wenger
Status: Currently vacant
Richard Whited Chair in Interdisciplinary Science
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Donors: Dr. Richard ‘63, ’69 and Paula Whited
Status: Currently vacant
Wilcox Family Presidential Chair in Molecular Biology
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Donors: Drs. Gary ’69, ’72 and Susan ’70, ’72, ’75 Wilcox
Status: Currently vacant
Ruth Garland Chair for the Director of the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Donor: William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation
Status: Currently vacant
Endowed Chairs
Susan and Bruce Worster Chair in Experimental Physics | Donors: Susan Worster ’70 and Bruce Worster, PhD ’71
Worster Professor of Experimental Physics
Charles A. Storke II Chair in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology | Donor: Charles A. Storke, II
Storke Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
Harriman Chair in Neuroscience | Donors: Thomas J. Harriman H ’17, Eleanor L. Harriman
Harriman Professor of Neuroscience
Güenter and June Ahlers Chair in Experimental Physics | Donors: Professor Güenter and June Ahlers
Ahlers Professor of Experimental Physics
Jack and Laura Dangermond Chair of Geography | Donors: Jack and Laura Dangermond
Associate Dean for Advancement & External Relations and Dangermond Professor of Geography
Dehlsen Chair in Environmental Studies | Donors: James G.P. and Deanna C. Dehlsen
Dehlsen Professor of Environmental Studies
Robert and Patricia Duggan Chair in MLPS | Donors: Robert Duggan ’66, Trish Duggan ‘66
Duggan Professor of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences and Distinguished Professor
Robert and Patricia Duggan Chair in MLPS | Donors: Robert Duggan ’66, Trish Duggan ‘66
Duggan Professor of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences and Distinguished Professor
Robert M. Norris Presidential Chair in Earth Science | Donors: Alec ’76 and Claudia ’75 Webster, Dr. Douglas and Rachel Burbank, Susan L. Dougherty ’94
Distinguished Professor
Arent and Jean Schuyler Chair in Environmental Studies | Professor Arent H. Schuyler, Jr. ’61 and Jean K. Schuyler H’13
Schuyler Professor of Environmental Studies
Wilcox Family Chair in BioMedicine | Donors: Drs. Gary ’69, ’72 and Susan ’70, ’72, ’75 Wilcox
Wilcox Professor of BioMedicine and Distinguished Professor
Wilcox Family Chair in Biotechnology | Donors: Drs. Gary ’69, ’72 and Susan ’70, ’72, ’75 Wilcox
Wilcox Professor of Biotechnology and Distinguished Professor
Pat and Joe Yzurdiaga Chair in Experimental Science | Donors: Pat and Joe Yzurdiaga
Yzurdiaga Professor of Experimental Science
Alan and Ruth Heeger Chair in Interdisciplinary Science | Donors: Professor Alan J. and Ruth Heeger
Peter J. Clarke Chair for the Director of the California NanoSystems Institute | Donor: Sputtered Films Corporation
Bruker Endowed Chair in Engineering and the Sciences | Donor: Bruker Corporation
Virgil Elings Endowed Chair in Quantum Science | Donor: Betty Elings Wells H’10
Janet and Ian Duncan Chair in Actuarial Science | Donors: Janet and Ian Duncan
Duncan Professor of Actuarial Science
