For more than a century, scientists have explored the secrets of nuclear fusion, the process by which the sun and other stars power themselves. By offering a potentially limitless energy source without the risk of meltdowns or the production of greenhouse gases and long-lived radioactive waste, the field of fusion science may have the power to reshape the world for the better.
A $5 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, will empower UCLA to launch new research and initiatives at the intersection of fusion science and engineering. This could help unlock avenues of work and discovery that will further position UCLA as a leader in the clean energy revolution.
“Ken Griffin’s support advances fusion science at a moment when interdisciplinary research is essential to addressing global challenges,” said UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, who was president of the University of Miami when Griffin made a $50 million gift to its Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2024. “At UCLA, our research community works at the boundaries of knowledge to translate discovery into impact for society. This investment accelerates that progress.”
UCLA will use the gift to establish the Kenneth C. Griffin Fusion Science and Engineering Endowed Chair. The university intends to create a new fusion science and engineering master’s degree program — the first accelerated master’s program of its kind — to be housed in the UCLA College Division of Physical Sciences in partnership with the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. The chairholder would be executive director.
