Community Member Milestones
- Welcome (back) to Caltech:
Vivian U
Vivian U (BS ’06) joined Caltech as an associate scientist at IPAC in February 2025, where she has taken up the role of the proposal team lead for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Previously, Vivian was an assistant astronomer at UC Irvine, where she led a research group that studied black hole–galaxy co-evolution with the James Webb Space Telescope and the Keck Observatory telescopes.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Ken Lee
Ken joined Caltech as the Institute’s new chief investment officer (CIO) on April 15. As a member of the senior administrative leadership group, Ken will oversee Caltech’s investment strategies and manage its approximately $4.5 billion investment portfolio. Ken has more than 25 years of experience in the financial sector, most recently at Children’s Health System of Texas.
- Celebrating a promotion:
Shayna Chabner McKinney
Shayna has been promoted to associate vice president, strategy implementation and chief communications and external relations officer in the Office of Communications and External Relations (formerly Office of Strategic Communications). In addition to her innovative leadership of the Institute's communications efforts, Shayna will liaise with Caltech's colleagues and federal officials in Washington, D.C., assume responsibility for Caltech's partnership with JPL's office of legislative and government affairs, and integrate the Institute's posture across all communications and external relations work.
- In memoriam:
Dimitri Papanastassiou
Dimitri Papanastassiou (BS '65, PhD ’70), a staff scientist in the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS), passed away on March 9 at the age of 82. Dimitri made significant contributions to research in cosmochemistry and planetary science. His graduate thesis included the construction and first uses of the world’s first digital mass spectrometer, the Lunatic I. He is remembered by colleagues for his sharp mind, wit, and life story that was interwoven with Caltech and JPL over six decades.
- Celebrating a promotion:
Jennifer Torres
Jennifer has been promoted to assistant vice president for communications and government relations in the Office of Communications and External Relations (formerly Office of Strategic Communications). In this expanded role, she will develop and implement strategies to enhance the Institute's relationships with the state legislature, state agencies, the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, Orange County, the City of Pasadena, and the communities surrounding Caltech's campus and JPL locations, while continuing to advance communications.
- Celebrating a remarkable career:
Ken Hargreaves
After 17 years at Caltech, Ken is retiring from his role as associate vice president for civic engagement and external affairs. Ken joined Caltech as part of Facilities, overseeing capital construction and campus master planning. He later transitioned to the Strategy Implementation Group, where he has fostered Caltech's relationships with federal officials in Washington, D.C., the California state legislature and agencies, and the City of Pasadena.