UCLA Connects: Bruin Talks
The day before Julio Frenk’s inauguration as chancellor, UCLA Connects: Bruin Talks will bring together leading scholars and artists from across disciplines to showcase UCLA’s mission of education, research and service. Join us for an afternoon of dynamic presentations and conversations that reflect the breadth and impact of the Bruin community.
Join us for the livestream June 4, 2025 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Speakers
Abbas Ardehali
- Professor of Surgery and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
- William E. Connor Chair in Cardiothoracic Transplantation
- Director, UCLA Heart and Lung Transplant Program
A pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Ardehali specializes in heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. His work involves the development of cutting-edge approaches to organ preservation and transplantation, improving outcomes for patients with advanced heart and lung disease.
Kimberlé W. Crenshaw
- Distinguished Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
- Promise Institute Chair in Human Rights
A leading scholar of critical race theory and civil rights, Professor Crenshaw is known for her groundbreaking research on intersectionality and social justice. Through her scholarship and her work as co-founder and director of the African American Policy Forum, she has helped to shape legal thought and public discourse on race, gender and inequality worldwide.
Andrea M. Ghez
- Professor of Physics and Astronomy, UCLA College
- Lauren B . Leichtman and Arthur E . Levine Endowed Astrophysics Chair
- Director, UCLA Galactic Center Group
A world-renowned astrophysicist, Professor Ghez is known for her role in the discovery of the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. In 2020, she became the fourth woman ever awarded the Nobel Prize in physics — one of many honors recognizing her trailblazing contributions to science. Her work, which combines research on stellar dynamics with advances in high-resolution imaging, has helped deepen our understanding of physics and the universe.
Peter Sellars
- Distinguished Professor, Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
An internationally celebrated director and scholar, Professor Sellars is known for his innovative work in theater and opera. He has reimagined productions of classical works, including operas by Mozart, and brought revamped, socially relevant interpretations of other dramas to the stage. For his transformative contributions to the performing arts, he has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Medal of Arts.
Terence Tao
- Professor of Mathematics, UCLA College
- James and Carol Collins Chair in the College of Letters and Science
Regarded as one of the world’s foremost mathematicians, Professor Tao works across diverse fields, including number theory, harmonic analysis and partial differential equations, and his contributions have greatly advanced both pure and applied mathematics. He has received many prestigious honors, including the 2006 Fields Medal, widely considered the Nobel Prize in mathematics, as well as the Royal Medal for physical sciences, the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship.
Lynn Vavreck
- Professor of Political Science and Communication, UCLA College
- Marvin Hoffenberg Chair in American Politics and Public Policy
An acclaimed expert on political behavior and public opinion, Professor Vavreck specializes in the dynamics of electoral campaigns, political communication and voting trends. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of the intersection of politics and media, particularly in the context of U.S. elections. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she is also the recipient of the Andrew F. Carnegie Prize in the Humanities and Social Sciences.