New Chen Professorship Supports Caltech Research in Sustainability and Energy

Caltech trustee John S. Chen (MS ’79) and his wife, Sherry, have pledged $1.5 million to support Institute scholars who are searching for solutions to the major environmental challenges facing our planet.

The endowed John S. and Sherry Chen Professorship will generate funds to support a faculty member pursuing energy science and sustainability research. The selected professor also could draw upon resources and collaborations through the Resnick Sustainability Institute at Caltech, which brings together multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists to address a wide range of problems related to sustainability.

“For generations to come, some of the most important and difficult questions facing humanity are likely to relate to understanding the science behind climate change and how our civilization can mitigate the effects of potentially rapid environmental change,” says Caltech Provost Edward M. Stolper, the Carl and Shirley Larson Provostial Chair and William E. Leonhard Professor of Geology. “The Chens’ gift will help Caltech to continue to play the role that all institutions of higher learning must play in addressing such questions.”