NSS Past News

2025

Senator Perez wearing Red Blazer

The University celebrated its historic first participation in the East Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day Parade alongside distinguished alumna Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and President Berenecea Johnson Eanes.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-alumna-joins-university-president-historic-east-la-parade

Man posing on chair wearing blue button up

Cal State LA chemistry professor Olaseni “Seni” Sode has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant to teach and conduct research in Grenoble, France, during the 2025-26 academic year.

Read Full Story: https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/09/12/cal-state-las-chemistry-faculty-receives-fulbright-u-s-scholar-award-to-france/

Dr. Fisher wearing a white blouse

Man wearing a white shirt

Sociology instructor Dr. Dinur Blum is recognized for his impactful research, innovative teaching, and commitment to mentoring students at Cal State LA.

Read Full Story: https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/08/18/cal-state-la-honors-outstanding-faculty-at-university-convocation-and-investiture/

Dr. Antonio Tinoco Valencia at his Cal State LA graduation (left) and in a UCLA lab wearing a blue UCLA shirt (right).

Alumnus Dr. Antonio Tinoco Valencia is committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists and hopes his journey from ELAC to Cal State LA to UCLA will inspire students to dream big and persevere.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/finding-his-element-journey-dr-antonio-tinoco-valencia

Dr. Eric Wood smiling outdoors. Text reads: "Dr. Eric Wood – Recipient of the 2025 Harry R. Painton Award."

The American Ornithological Society has recognized Cal State LA professor Dr. Eric Wood with the 2025 Harry R. Painton Award for his outstanding research on birds, habitat, and environmental justice in Los Angeles.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-professor-eric-wood-receives-national-award-ornithological-research

Girl wearing blue button up

Strangers come up to Maria Velasco and tell her how proud they are of her and her work in promoting their indigenous Zapotec language. 

Read Full Story: https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/03/24/cal-state-la-graduate-student-maria-velasco-keeps-indigenous-mexican-language-zapotec-alive/

Girl looking at board

Cal State LA proudly hosted the annual Student Symposium on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities on Friday, February 28, 2025, showcasing the remarkable academic and creative endeavors of its students.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-celebrates-student-innovation-2025-student-symposium-research-scholarship-and

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez wearing a blue blazer standing in front of a United States and California Flag

Sasha Renée Pérez becomes the youngest California State Senator, bringing a history of leadership and advocacy for education access and affordability.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-alumna-sasha-renee-perez-sworn-california-state-senator-district-25

Cal State LA students observing the different plants in a greenhouse

Dr. Christine Scoffoni bridges scientific research and creative expression in new exhibit exploring the hidden beauty of plants

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/art-and-science-observing

Man with black shirt

Sponsored by the Latin American Studies Program, currently celebrating its 65th anniversary, the evening highlighted the program’s legacy of critical inquiry and community connection.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/event-recap-presentation-mexico-between-feast-and-famine

Various professors standing next to each other at Ocean Research Symposium event

The Ocean Research Symposium, a cross-disciplinary event designed to showcase the breadth of ocean- and coastal-related research taking place across campus took place on February 18, 2025

Read the full story

A masked archaeologist kneels in the rubble of a burned home, carefully holding a small, recovered object while colleagues look on.

Students and Faculty assist in Wildfire Recovery Efforts to Bring Closure to Families

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-students-and-faculty-assist-recovery-cremated-remains-lost-california-wildfires

Dr. Stephen Trzaskoma smiles in front of a gray background.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Stephen M. Trzaskoma has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences, effective June 9, 2025. He will serve in this role while continuing as Dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/dr-stephen-trzaskoma-named-interim-dean-college-natural-and-social-sciences

In Memoriam graphic for Stephen Mulherin 1962-2025

The Cal State LA community mourns the passing of Dr. Stephen Mulherin, who passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 63. A dedicated scholar, passionate educator, and valued colleague, Dr. Mulherin served the university with distinction for more than two decades.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/memoriam-dr-stephen-mulherin-1962-2025

Dr. Edith Porter, recipient of the 2025 AAI Distinguished Service Award, posing for a professional portrait with a branded Cal State LA College of Natural and Social Sciences banner overlay

Dr. Edith Porter, professor of microbiology and immunology at Cal State LA, has been recognized with the 2025 American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Distinguished Service Award for her significant contributions to the field of immunology. The award acknowledges her leadership in jointly developing the AAI undergraduate curriculum recommendations (2019-2021) alongside Dr. Julie M. Jameson from California State University, San Marcos.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/dr-edith-porter-honored-2025-aai-distinguished-service-award

Gregorio Pacheco wearing a white cream colored dress shirt in front of a yellow wall

We are pleased to announce that Gregorio Pacheco has joined our team as the new Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)/CalNAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-welcomes-gregorio-pacheco-nagpra/calnagpra-repatriation-coordinator

2024

A busy event with people standing and reviewing poster presentations in an open indoor space

On October 15, 2024, Cal State LA’s La Kretz Hall was filled with excitement as students, faculty, and staff gathered for the Reimagine Your Campus with the Urban Ecology Center poster symposium. Over 100 attendees viewed 20 student posters, each showcasing innovative ideas for transforming the campus into a model of sustainability, biodiversity, and inclusivity.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-students-showcase-creative-sustainability-ideas-urban-ecology-center-symposium

10 students from the Anthropological Film class standing together holding cameras in their hands

Student filmmakers who participated in the 2024 annual Anthropology Ethnographic Film Festival.  The public film festival showcases the work of the students from the Anthropology Department's Anthropological Film class, where students conduct their original ethnographic research, learn professional digital video editing skills while applying those skills to producing a research-based film, and as a team, organize a public film festival.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/k-pop-quinceaneras-student-filmmakers-spotlight-diverse-communities-annual-anthropology

Dean Réne Vellanoweth delivers opening remarks at Pérez-Silverman Symposium

Los Angeles, CA – The Pérez-Silverman Symposium on Water and Food Security, presented by the Urban Ecology Center at Cal State LA, took place on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Golden Eagle Ballroom, California State University, Los Angeles.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-hosts-successful-perez-silverman-symposium-water-and-food-security

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units along side the Cal State LA College of Natural and Social Sciences lockup and NXT Power logo

Los Angeles, CA – The College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles, is pleased to announce a significant donation from NXT Power, a leader in manufacturing advanced power quality solutions.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-receives-vital-technological-support-nxt-power

Graphic with the words 2024 Honors Convocation

The College of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS) hosted its annual Honors Convocation at the Golden Eagle Ballroom on Friday, March 15, 2024, in a ceremony that spotlighted the academic achievements of its students.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/college-natural-and-social-sciences-celebrates-student-achievements-2024-honors-convocation

Cal State LA students presents during workshop

This January, Cal State LA became a hub for scientists and researchers as it hosted the 15th Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop. From January 10 to 12, 2024, the event brought together leading experts and those new to the field of multidimensional chromatography, focusing on the latest techniques and developments.

Read Full Story: https://www.calstatela.edu/nss/cal-state-la-hosts-15th-multidimensional-chromatography-workshop