Oppenheimer’s Berkeley Years: Pioneering Research & Personal Legacy

Oppenheimer’s Berkeley Years: Pioneering Research & Personal Legacy

In this thought-provoking community event, UC Berkeley faculty experts will revisit and shed light on the influence and impact of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s research and teaching at UC Berkeley. With the upcoming release of director Christopher Nolan’s anticipated film, Oppenheimer, which was partly filmed at UC Berkeley, this is a unique opportunity for a closer look at his persona, life, and legacy. The panel discussion will conclude with a Q&A.

Featured Panelists

Cathryn Carson | Chair and Professor, Department of History

Carson’s research fields include nuclear history and the history of 20th-century physics: conceptual, cultural, social and political.

Jon Else | Emeritus Professor, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

Former director of the documentary program from 1997-2014; Else created the documentary, “The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb.”

Yasunori Nomura | Professor, Director, Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics

Nomura’s research interests focus on theoretical physics, in particular theoretical particle physics, quantum gravity and quantum information.

Karl van Bibber | Former Shankar Sastry Chair for Leadership and Innovation, Professor and Executive Associate Dean for the College of Engineering

Van Bibber’s research studies include basic and applied nuclear science, particle astrophysics, and accelerator science and technology.