Class Notes Category: Career

Jacqueline Jean Barrios, Ph.D. ’21 A new book by Jacqueline Jean Barrios, Ph.D. ’21, who earned her doctorate in English literature, is set to be published this month. “Dear Charles Dickens, Love, South LA: Literature, Place, and Belonging” tells the story of how students at Foshay Learning Center, a public school in South Los Angeles,…

Ilona Stricof ’11, Ph.D. The first TEDx Talk by Ilona (Gerbakher) Stricof ’11, Ph.D., was just published on YouTube. “The talk, ‘Bodies and Souls on the Road: An Abbasidist in Guangzhou,’ tells the story of how my family moved to Guangzhou, China — based on a coin flip — and how that journey led me…

Philip Halpern, MBA ’78 Philip Halpern, MBA ’78, has published a coming-of-age story about King Hammurabi of Babylon, “Divine Enlightenment: The Making of a Mesopotamian King and His Legacy.” The Code of Hammurabi — best known for the phrase “an eye for an eye” — stands as one of the most influential legal monuments of…

Kavita Patel, M.S. ’05, M.D. Kavita Patel, M.S. ’05, M.D., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Community Catalyst, a national health justice organization dedicated to making high-quality, affordable healthcare a reality for all communities. Patel is an internist and professor of medicine. She advises healthcare companies as a venture partner at New…

Julie Taylor, M.A ’97, Ph.D. ’04 Julie Taylor, M.A ’97, Ph.D. ’04, is the new executive director of the International Law Institute in Washington, D.C. Taylor earned her graduate degrees in political science and brings extensive leadership experience in international education, research, institutional advancement and international relations to her new role, positioning her to lead…

Dale Atkins, Ph.D. ’82 The second children’s book by Dale Atkins, Ph.D. ’82, former “Today Show” expert and psychologist best known for sharing guidance on how to navigate life’s complicated questions and uncomfortable feelings, was released this month. “Dear Deer” focuses on the importance of spending time off our screens and more time in green/in…

Jeremy Evans ’05 Jeremy M. Evans ’05 was appointed to the Civil Service Board by the Newport Beach City Council for the City of Newport Beach, California. The Board supports the city’s merit-based civil service system and advises the City Council on matters involving public employees, including police officers, firefighters and other municipal personnel. “Public…

Carrie Besnette Hauser, M.A. ’93, Ph.D. ’95 Following more than a decade as president of Colorado Mountain College, Carrie Besnette Hauser, M.A. ’93, Ph.D. ’95, was appointed president and CEO of Trust for Public Land, a national non-profit conservation organization focused on connecting everyone to the outdoors and shared public spaces. TPL protects large landscapes,…

Emmanuel Masongsong ’04 Emmanuel Masongsong ’04 is the subject of a UCLA Newsroom spotlight comprising a video and a self-penned story on his nearly 27-year Bruin journey. A pillar of the physical sciences division staff in the Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (EPSS) since 2011, he earned his degree in microbiology, immunology, and molecular…

Angelica Chéri ’09 Angelica Chéri (née Nutt) ’09, who earned her B.A. in theater, with a playwriting concentration, announced that her musical “Wanted” (formerly “Gun & Powder”) is officially going to Broadway. It will begin previews Oct. 15 and officially open Nov. 8 at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Inspired by the true story of…