Speaker: David James
Affiliation: UCLA, EPSS
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Mentor:
Dr. Lars Stixrude
Location:
Slichter 3853
Category: PhD Defense – Spring 2026
PhD Defense: Jacob Widmer – Surface Change on Modern Mars as a Record of Atmospheric Drivers
Speaker: Jacob Widmer
Affiliation: UCLA, EPSS
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Mentor:
Dr. Mackenzie Day
Location:
Slichter 3853
PhD Defense: Matthew Bogumil – The Mantle Crux: Solid-Earth Controls on The Long-Term Carbon Cycle
Speaker: Matthew Bogumil
Affiliation: UCLA, EPSS
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 2:15 PM
Mentor
Dr. Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni
PhD Defense: Catherine Psarakis – Probing the Interior Structure of Europa and Ganymede with Magnetic Induction: From Molecular-Scale Ocean Conductivity to Spacecraft Observations
Speaker: Catherine Psarakis
Affiliation: UCLA, EPSS
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM
Abstract
Mentor
Dr. Abby Kavner
PhD Defense: Kyle Webster – Ultra-low Frequency Waves at Mars: Exploring the Connection Between Surface and Space Through InSight and MAVEN Observation
Speaker: Kyle Webster
Affiliation: UCLA, EPSS
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Mentors
Dr. Hao Cao, Yingjuan Ma
PhD Defense: Francis Dragulet – Magnetic Field Generation in Earth and Super-Earths: The Role of Iron
Speaker: Francis Dragulet
Affiliation: UCLA EPSS
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Mentor
Dr. Lars Stixrude
PhD Defense: Saeed Mohanna – Advancing Tsunami Source Imaging and Illuminating Drivers of Seismicity Before and After Large Earthquakes
Speaker: Saeed Mohanna
Affiliation: UCLA EPSS
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM
Mentor
Dr. Lingsen Meng