Golden State Today

The nature of dark energy, the origins of the universe, and the afterglow of the Big Bang are among the phenomena Professor Lloyd Knox will continue to explore as the first Michael and Ester Vaida Endowed Chair in Cosmology and Astrophysics.

The Vaida Chair, established with a $1.5 million estate gift from Michael L. Vaida, Ph.D. ’73, and his wife, Ester Vaida, is the first endowed faculty position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UC Davis. The Vaidas also pledged $200,000 to support a graduate fellowship and undergraduate scholarships.

“I am incredibly grateful to Michael and Ester for this remarkable gift,” Knox said. “It will support our missions of research, teaching, and service for as long as there is a UC Davis.”

Endowed chairs are prestigious academic positions established through significant philanthropic gifts. Funds are invested in perpetuity, with a portion of generated returns used each year to allow the faculty holder to pursue ambitious research projects, mentor students, and contribute to advancing knowledge in their field.

At a ceremony held last month to thank the donors and celebrate Knox’s appointment, he described it as “the highest honor” he has ever received.

“I feel very deeply the responsibility to honor this gift and the trust of my colleagues by putting these resources and this title to good use,” he said. “Like the Starship Enterprise, I am now on a five-year mission. I promise I’ll do my best.”

Although initially included in their estate plan in 2014, the Vaidas chose to activate their gift early so they could see its benefits within their lifetime.

“I am very happy we did it that way,” said Michael Vaida. “This field studies fundamental questions about our universe – these are things I’ve been curious about for most of my life.”

Knox’s immersion in science began early. From regular trips to the library for astronomy books to attending summer science programs as a young boy, he found many ways to fuel his curiosity. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Virginia and a doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago. Knox joined UC Davis faculty in 2001 with a research focus on fundamental laws of nature and origins of the universe.

“The universe is a great, huge mystery,” Knox said. “We’re all part of this natural system that includes simple rules that seem to apply everywhere, and we have no idea why it’s like that. I feel privileged to be part of the conversation.”

His work has been supported by organizations such as NASA and NSF. In 2004, Knox was named a UC Davis Chancellor’s Fellow; in 2012, he was elected as a Fellow of APS for his work; he is also involved with international teams like Planck and South Pole Telescope collaborations.

Knox's research has been highly cited; notable discoveries include detecting signals from cosmic neutrino background particles released over 13 billion years ago.

Estella Atekwana, dean of College Letters & Science stated: "With this endowment...guaranteed our students continued transformative personal connection...supporting key research."

While discovering knowledge about the universe remains Knox's priority as Vaida Chair; he aims also at strengthening departmental culture mentoring more students supporting diversity efforts across campus:

"I want this place where people feel support I've felt over years respect care free take risks support learning discovery," Knox remarked.

As graduate student early '70s department collaborative inquisitive environment made lasting impression on Michael Vaida:

“I saw firsthand fruitful results multidisciplinary approach,” said Michael Vaida who earned doctorate computer science computational physics '73 using expertise solve physics problems thesis journey Soviet-era Romania raised maternal grandparents graduated top public university migrated NY via Yugoslavia France Italy ultimately landing Central California fall '68 earning master’s degree CSU Fresno meeting beloved wife pioneer data analytics founded Health Data consultants '86 worked hospitals nationwide.

Ester built career healthcare surgery coordinator Sutter Women’s Health Sacramento native Guatemala often served Spanish translator migrant workers seeking services:

Though not pursuing career physics keen interest particularly astrophysics shared fascination stars legacy cosmos:

“When suggested bequest estate charity supportive idea if leads new discoveries delighted,” Michael concluded.