The College of Science and Technology is a community defined by curiosity and a shared commitment to scientific discovery. Our strength comes from working together—faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.

Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with colleagues throughout Temple’s schools and colleges is central to our continued growth. CST partnerships also extend around the world, such as a new Alzheimer’s research project with the University of Heidelberg funded by the National Institute on Aging.

CST is home to research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing our world—from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to environmental sustainability, quantum information science and the life and health sciences. In this issue of Outlook, you can learn more about our work in:

COLD-WATER CORAL REEFS

Department of Biology researchers are part of a $1.5 million international project to locate, characterize and restore cold-water coral reefs off Argentina.

ADVANCED MICROSCOPY

A $3.3 million NSF award has brought Temple and CST a state-of-the-art SEM-based microscopy platform that will be one of only a few of its kind in the country.

REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY

Department of Computer and Information Sciences faculty are developing more intuitive, personalized and accessible alternative communication technologies for people with autism and cerebral palsy.

CLIMATE MODELING

Assistant Professor Rebecca Beadling helped develop an open-access tool that allows scientists to rapidly evaluate climate models against real-world observations.

GRADUATE EDUCATION

Mathematics Professor David Futer received Temple’s inaugural Excellence in Graduate Stewardship Award for his contributions to graduate education and student success.

NUCLEAR PHYSICS

The Department of Physics has played a central role in developing the $3 billion Electron-Ion Collider, the world’s only planned collider of its kind. I am also thrilled to share that Owl’s Nest, our high performance computing cluster, has earned a much needed operational and financial lifeline for the academic year. I am so grateful for the university’s support, which makes it possible to continue hosting a welcoming space for advanced research, learning, collaboration and community.

Just as important is the experience we provide our students. We want every CST student to have opportunities to engage in meaningful research, experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. These experiences prepare students not only to succeed in their careers, but to become the scientists, innovators and problem-solvers our world needs.

CST graduates play an important role as we continue to build on CST’s strengths while pursuing new possibilities. They serve as mentors to our students through our Owl to Owl Mentor Program. Our alumni set an example of excellence and dedication to science, as the 30 Under 30 honorees profiled in Outlook demonstrate. The financial contributions of alumni and friends support our six departments and fund scholarships for talented students.

Thank you for your dedication to our students, our research and our shared mission. Together, we can build on CST’s momentum and strengthen its role as a leader in science, technology, education and discovery.

Shohreh Amini, PhD
Professor of Biology
Interim Dean, College of Science and Technology

Even in challenging times, the mission of Temple University remains the same: educating a talented student body, creating new knowledge through innovative teaching, research and other creative endeavors, and positively impacting communities close to campus and around the world.

That mission continues to guide the College of Science and Technology. While the landscape of higher education and science is changing, CST continues to invest in advanced research, innovative approaches to teaching, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and new academic programs that prepare our students for the ever-changing fields in science and technology.

Our methods may change, but our fundamental needs remain the same. Scholarship resources help us attract and retain talented top students. Philanthropic support for student initiatives, such as our Research Scholars Program, provide students with opportunities to discover, create and learn beyond the classroom. We need to invest in faculty, first to attract and retain outstanding scholars, and then to provide the resources necessary for them to pursue tomorrow’s scientific discoveries.

An engaged alumni community is critical to CST’s success. Your time, talent and financial support make a meaningful difference. When you mentor a student, share your expertise, support a scholarship or make a gift to advance research, your involvement strengthens CST and expands what is possible for our students.

This will be my final letter in Outlook magazine. After more than 45 years in the workplace, I am retiring. My years at the College of Science and Technology have been among the best of my career. The alumni I have met, the students I have had the opportunity to help and the colleagues with whom I have worked have given me a lifetime of memories.

As I leave, I have one final request: Find a way to give back. Be a mentor. Fund a scholarship. Support undergraduate research. Consider documenting an estate gift. Whatever form your generosity takes, your support will have a lasting impact on the students, faculty and programs that make CST special.

Thank you for standing with CST, believing in our mission and helping shape our future.

Sincerely,

Kathy McGady
Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Affairs

As an undergraduate, I did not realize how impactful the work of our alumni community was in helping me and my fellow math and science majors. I was focused on studying for exams, juggling class and work study shifts at the library and experiencing a new city that I now call home for the past 18 years. But behind the scenes, CST alumni were partnering with staff to host job fairs, raising money for scholarships and even stepping up to teach courses and give guest lectures.

There are many ways CST alumni can give back, such as through financial contributions or donating their time and expertise. A gift to the CST Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund honors outstanding students in each department. The Steven W. Szczepanski Memorial Student Support Fund provides resources to those experiencing a financial hardship. The Owl to Owl Mentor Program offers alumni the opportunity to share with students real-world advice about careers or life after Temple. I encourage you to explore the full list of giving opportunities on our website.

Personally, I know it may be challenging to give back to the university right after you graduate. But once you start, it makes it so fulfilling. I am proud of my fellow CST alums, a nerdy bunch that is important to the success of our university, the Philadelphia region and beyond.

Stay connected to CST by following the college on social media and reading our monthly email newsletters.

Sincerely,

Anne Beeman, CST ‘12 
CST Alumni Board President

Access the complete 2026 issue of Outlook magazine here.