June 16, 2025

In a new Nature paper, astronomers describe interesting features of two young exoplanets (several times larger than Jupiter) orbiting the sun-like star YSES-1. Studying this solar system gives researchers an opportunity to watch a planet similar to Jupiter form in real time and may provide hints to how our own planets have changed. The program was led by Kielan Hoch at Space Telescope Science Institute and included researchers from 23 different institutions, including Assistant Professor Eileen Gonzales. 

Using spectroscopic instruments on board the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists detected a disk around exoplanet YSES-1b. Although the YSES planetary system is young (16.7 million years), the researchers note it is too old for signs of planet-forming disks around the host star. The only other two comparable disks were previously identified around objects younger than YSES-1b so the latest observation is a unique view of early state planet formation. Around the second smaller and farther out planet (YSES 1-c), the telescope data revealed silicate clouds that differ from silicate clouds observed in other exoplanets and brown dwarfs.  

“The YSES-1 planetary system is exciting,” said Gonzales, who helped developed the original research proposal and contributed significantly to the design of the research program. “With such exquisite data on these two planets, I’m looking forward to digging into understanding their atmospheres further with additional modeling.”

Photo by Ellis Bogat

Alright, SF State faculty and staff: It’s time to get healthy and play. Throughout the summer, the Kinesiology Department’s Fit Plus program continues to offer you an opportunity to get strong, alleviate stiffness and feel better overall.

After a national search, Craig Relyea will join SFSU as its associate vice president for Strategic Marketing and Communications. He will begin his new role Monday, June 30.

Relyea brings nearly 30 years of senior marketing and communications leadership across a wide array of sectors, including technology, media, education and entertainment. Most recently, he served as chief growth officer at BeatStars, a global music creator platform. He also held key marketing leadership roles at LeapFrog Enterprises as well as The Walt Disney Co., where he spent eight years overseeing global marketing initiatives for Disney’s Interactive Media Group.

Throughout his career, Relyea has built a reputation for developing integrated marketing, communications and growth strategies that drive measurable results while engaging diverse audiences. He holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Literature from UCLA.

The annual Years of Service Recognition event was held Tuesday, June 10, in Jack Adams Hall to honor those who have served SFSU for five through 40 years (in five-year benchmarks, as of December 2024). The ceremony was emceed by President Lynn Mahoney and Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources Ingrid Williams, joined by campus leaders in support of their teams. This annual celebration began in 2017, was paused during the pandemic and has continued since then. On behalf of the University, Human Resources thanks all employees for their years of dedicated service to our campus. For any questions about this event, please contact Nancy Ganner at ganner@sfsu.edu.

College Corps at SF State is accepting applications for its 2025 – 2026 cohort. This statewide program supports full-time undergraduates to earn up to $10,500 through 450 hours of community service during the academic year. 

Fellows serve in one of four focus areas: food security, climate action, K – 12 education and youth wellness, or economic opportunity (e.g., job readiness, housing and financial literacy support). They receive a $7,000 living allowance, $3,000 education award and $500 transportation stipend.

College Corps is open to undergraduates from all majors, including AB 540/California Dream Act students. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 1.

The SFSU AI Literacy Education Program will facilitate artificial intelligence (AI) workshops over the summer period. Engage in guided inquiry of this emerging technology, catch up on your digital badging progress or level up your understanding of generative AI during June, July and August.

July courses: 

• “AI Literacy Essentials: Critical Analysis of Generative AI”: Wednesday, July 2, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
• “Working with AI” (staff elective): Wednesday, July 16, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
• “Working with AI” (staff elective): Thursday, July 17, 2 – 3:30 p.m. 
• “AI Literacy Essentials: Introduction to Generative AI”: Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
• “AI Literacy Essentials: Prompting for Practical Applications”: Thursday, July 24, 2 – 3:30 p.m. 
• “AI Literacy Essentials: Critical Analysis of Generative AI”: Wednesday, July 30, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
• “Collaboration with Zoom AI Companion”: Thursday, July 31, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Please visit the AI Literacy Education page for full course listings and to register.

Join the Sutro Library for a free live webinar exploring the ins and outs of Palestinian American genealogy on Thursday, July 10, at 5 p.m.

Palestinians in the United States and the diaspora often maintain strong ties to their family’s town or village of origin. Yet over generations, many families have lost touch with parts of their story. Even those who know some of their history may want to explore lesser-known branches or confirm long-held oral traditions. In this session, Reem Awad-Rashmawi will explain how to research Palestinian ancestry using records available in the U.S. and abroad, tracing lineages from today back through the British Mandate and Ottoman periods. She will also briefly discuss how DNA/genetic genealogy can help uncover connections when documentation is limited.

Awad-Rashmawi is a professional genealogist and community historian who has been researching her own family for over 30 years. She is also an immigration attorney with over 27 years of experience representing clients in U.S. immigration matters. She specializes in Arab and Arab American genealogical and historical research, as well as U.S. records research, oral history, DNA analysis, adoptee and unknown parentage cases and dual citizenship documentation. She is the founder of Photographs and Memories by Reem, through which she provides professional genealogical services, and the National Society for Arab and Arab American Genealogy, where she serves as president. She also serves on the board of the National Genealogical Society.

Please register for “Palestinian American Genealogy” via the California State Library website. 

Welcome 300 new Gators to SFSU! Join the First-Year Experience Program to help staff a field trip exploring our beautiful city of San Francisco on Friday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The program’s course, All University 110: “Living in San Francisco” is being offered for a second year. From Aug. 19 to Aug. 22, about 300 freshmen and transfer students will participate in this one-unit course. The course is designed to equip them with tools for academic and personal success, teach them how to use the Gator Pass and navigate public transportation, and introduce them to the iconic sights, sounds and culture of San Francisco. 

For Aug. 22, the program seeks volunteers to lead small groups on public transit to pre-planned destinations around the city. A brief 30-minute Zoom training will be held between Monday, Aug. 11, and Friday, Aug. 15. 

To sign up, please email Susanna Jones at susjones@sfsu.edu.