The image above shows the start of construction for KITP House! Since I last wrote, we have achieved many milestones. In early February 2026, we received our Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission, enabling the start of site development. We are spending the first few months bringing utilities to the site as we prepare to lay the building’s foundation. Meanwhile, we completed all of the design documents, received our final building permit from UC Santa Barbara, and awarded the construction contract to Edwards Construction Group. So, from now on, you should only hear from me about construction progress as we approach our July 2028 opening!
In a strong collaboration with UCSB and the UC Office of the President (UCOP) we are undertaking this project as a donor-developed endeavor to allow for the consortium of generous donors to not only fund the whole project, but also participate in the process of design and construction. Many staff here at UCSB and UCOP were key to getting the agreements in place, and I thank them all. Just as with the Munger Physics Residence, KITP will operate the facility in collaboration with UCSB’s Housing operation.
We have many accolades to share about KITP’s scientists. Permanent Member Boris Shraiman received the Max Delbruck Prize in Biological Physics this year with the citation: “For contributions to morphogenesis, evolution, and biological information processing, combining mastery of biological knowledge, innovative analysis of biological data, and rigorous theoretical reasoning to uncover deep insights into the underlying principles of biological processes.” Congratulations Boris!
Page 2 tells the story of the awarding of the 2026 Special Breakthrough Prize in Physics to KITP Permanent Member David Gross. I simply cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this award. Not only is David a remarkable scientist, but he also places importance and his own personal time and energy in assuring that physics is thriving around the world. As part of the Breakthrough Prize, a wonderful video was made (tinyurl.com/reubb62s) that captures David’s enthusiasm for science as well as his passion for alerting the world of the perils of nuclear weapons.
Our largest activities here at KITP are the programs we run, bringing more than 1200 physicists to the institute every year. On page 4, we have a story from writer Claire L. Evans who participated in a program that just ended this July. Her perspective on witnessing and participating in a program that brings together biologists and theoretical physicists is wonderful to read and so nicely captures an important element of what we strive to achieve here at KITP: bringing scientific communities together for true dialog and learning.
On page 6 is the story of two intellectual threads we have pursued for more than two decades, emission of gravitational waves by in-spiraling black holes and the interactions of particles in high energy accelerators. Ira Rothstein (Carnegie Mellon University) tells the story of how these two distinct activities have now come together to enable calculations of gravitational waveforms that would otherwise be nearly impossible. As one of the key coordinators of the recent program and innovator in the field, Ira provides an excellent perspective.
We close on page 7 with the story of the awarding of the Richard DiPrima Prize to KITP Postdoctoral Scholar Fatih Dinç. Fatih came to KITP in fall 2024 and has been very impactful both here at the institute and in his science. The story (written by Harrison Tasoff, of UCSB’s Public Affairs and Communications Office, and a long-time contributor to this Newsletter) explains Fatih’s science and impact quite well, so I will not elaborate here. Rather, I want to highlight Fatih’s inexhaustible enthusiasm for ensuring a rich intellectual life for all of us here at KITP. Not only in his energies to ensure that our Monday Local’s Lunches are exciting and well attended, but also in his continual exploration of what more KITP can do!
We have just announced KITP programs for the 2027-2028 academic year, and we look forward to the exciting science that continues to happen here at the institute. Thanks to all of you for your support and interest in all we do!
~ Lars Bildsten, KITP Director