THE HIGHLANDER NEWSPAPER - Professor Barish began his role at Riverside in 2018, after winning the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his observations of gravitational waves which contributed to Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In an exclusive interview with the Highlander News, he states that the LIGO Lab’s research, which he received the Nobel for, “was much too consuming to teach;” therefore, he became full time research faculty. He did “miss teaching and being part of the academic faculty.” So, when UCR offered him a part time teaching position for the Department of Physics, he mentioned “it was kind of perfect because I could teach there. It’s a very different kind of school and a very different kind of study body … and I am a big believer in public education and how important it is.”
Professor Barish is not only a Nobel Prize winner, but also the recipient of the 2023 National Medal of Science which was bestowed upon him by President Joe Biden at the White House during a formal ceremony. He shares his experience of entering the White House, saying that “everywhere you turn there is a statue, or painting, or even, furniture that represents the history of the U.S.” He then goes on to mention that President Biden was “very generous with his time” to fully recognize him, and the other laureates, on their accomplishment and dedication to American science.