George Blumenthal
Encyclopedia
George R. Blumenthal is an American astrophysicist
, astronomer
, professor, and academic administrator. He is the tenth chancellor
of the University of California, Santa Cruz
.
in physics
from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a Ph.D.
in physics from the University of California, San Diego
.
Blumenthal is known particularly for his work with Santa Cruz colleagues Sandra M. Faber
and Joel Primack
and with Martin Rees of Cambridge University on dark matter
. Their theory of cold dark matter
, developed in the 1980s, remains the standard explanation of the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Blumenthal has also worked in many other areas of astrophysics, including the study of gamma-ray bursts, accretion disks, active galaxies, and the microwave background radiation left by the big bang
.
Blumenthal was the chair of the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate
from 2001 to 2003 and served one year each as Vice Chair and Chair of the University of California
Academic Senate. He succeeded Denice Denton
as UCSC chancellor in 2006 after her suicide.
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
, astronomer
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, professor, and academic administrator. He is the tenth chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of the University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
.
Biography
Blumenthal was born to Lillian and Marcel Blumenthal, the owners of a small Venetian blinds operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was interested in science at a very early age and recalls the launch of the Soviet Sputnik I satellite in 1957. Blumenthal holds a B.S.Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in physics from the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
.
Blumenthal is known particularly for his work with Santa Cruz colleagues Sandra M. Faber
Sandra M. Faber
Sandra Moore Faber is a University Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and works at the Lick Observatory.In 1966, she obtained a B.A., with high honors, in physics from Swarthmore College....
and Joel Primack
Joel Primack
Joel R. Primack is a professor of physics and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz and is a member of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics. Dr. Primack received his A.B. from Princeton University in 1966 and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1970. According to...
and with Martin Rees of Cambridge University on dark matter
Dark matter
In astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
. Their theory of cold dark matter
Cold dark matter
Cold dark matter is the improvement of the big bang theory that contains the additional assumption that most of the matter in the Universe consists of material that cannot be observed by its electromagnetic radiation and whose constituent particles move slowly...
, developed in the 1980s, remains the standard explanation of the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Blumenthal has also worked in many other areas of astrophysics, including the study of gamma-ray bursts, accretion disks, active galaxies, and the microwave background radiation left by the big bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
.
Blumenthal was the chair of the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate
Academic Senate
An Academic Senate is a governing body in some universities and colleges, and is typically the supreme academic authority for the institution.-Scotland:...
from 2001 to 2003 and served one year each as Vice Chair and Chair of the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
Academic Senate. He succeeded Denice Denton
Denice Denton
Denice Dee Denton was an American professor of electrical engineering and academic administrator. She was the ninth chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz until her suicide in June 2006.-Early years :...
as UCSC chancellor in 2006 after her suicide.