Ion Caltech Today
Construction and Parking
Photos of construction progress at South Gate Plaza as of April 2026.
Parking and Traffic
- In mid- to late-May, Wilson Avenue will undergo re-striping. Exact dates are to be determined and will be shared when available. During this time, traffic in the area will be redirected and parking along Wilson Avenue will be limited. Please plan accordingly.
Construction Impacts
- Ginsburg Center: Construction of the main building is ongoing and progressing as scheduled.
- South Gate Plaza: Construction activity in the area has increased and will continue into May.
- Downs-Lauritsen Lab: The installation of glass on the bridge connecting Downs-Lauritsen with the Ginsburg Center has been completed.
- Frank J. Malina Laboratory for High-Speed Flight Dynamics: Construction on the south side of the Guggenheim Laboratory is ongoing.
Pedestrian Access
- There are no new pedestrian access updates at this time.
Community Member Milestones
- Celebrating a remarkable career:
Divina Bautista
Divina is a nurse practitioner at the Student Wellness Services office. On May 8, she will be retiring after 31 years of dedicated service to the Caltech community. Community members across campus thank her for her steady presence, warmth, and kindness during her time here.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Heather Small
On April 27, Heather joined Caltech as the director of maintenance and operations within Facilities. She will manage the shop and trades and play a key role in customer service, working on initiatives to set and meet expectations with clients and partners. Prior to Caltech, Heather worked at Millennium Space Systems and Terran Orbital Corporation.
- Celebrating a recognition:
Maria Manzanares
Maria, associate director of Student-Faculty Programs, has earned her Ed.D. from Azusa Pacific University. Her research examines how historically underrepresented students construct meaning and belonging within STEM environments. Since joining the SFP office in 2016, Maria has spent nearly a decade supporting undergraduate and graduate research opportunities — including WAVE Fellows, SURF, Amgen Scholars, and JPL programs and advancing equity-focused initiatives for historically excluded students.
- Celebrating a promotion:
Colin Cumming
In March, Colin joined the Division of Engineering and Applied Science as director of development, where he'll focus on securing major gifts and deepening relationships with alumni and friends of the Division. He has been part of the Caltech Advancement team since 2023 and brings more than 10 years of development experience, including roles at Georgia Tech and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Gregory Copeland
On April 10, Greg joined Caltech as executive director of the Caltech Associates. He will lead the Caltech Associates program—growing membership, strengthening engagement, and driving fundraising—while overseeing events and partnerships to support the Institute’s mission. Prior to joining Caltech, Greg worked in donor relations at Cedars-Sinai and the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors for the past decade.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Doug Burleson
In March, Doug joined Caltech as the assistant dean of graduate studies. In this role, he will work to support all Caltech graduate students on their academic journeys, from admission to graduation. Prior to joining Caltech, Doug spent 10 years working as the graduate programs manager for the Department of Biological Sciences at USC.
Resources
Didn’t bring lunch today? Check out what you can get on campus through the dining menus for Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Cafe, and Avery Kitchen.
Update your contact information and download the emergency communications app, Everbridge, to receive necessary information in the event of an emergency on campus.
The SFCC’s experienced mental health professionals offer staff and faculty up to five confidential consultation sessions to assess needs and discuss next steps.
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