Caltech Together: Silicon Valley
“What Guides Science Funding?” By Gary Greenburg, Dušan Pejaković, and Janet Coffey of the Moore Foundation, moderated by Jane Frommer (PhD ’81)
As the funding landscape evolves, private foundations are playing an increasingly important role in supporting highly innovative research.
Join us for a discussion of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s funded programs and learn about the foundation’s approach to science philanthropy and the strategies behind its funding. A deep dive into Moore-funded research in the physical, life, Earth, and space sciences, led by foundation program staff Dušan Pejaković, Gary Greenburg, and Janet Coffey, rounds out the virtual tour of the foundation’s support for science.
About the Speakers
Gary Greenburg, PhD, is a program officer in the Science Program at the Moore Foundation, where he supports high-risk, high-impact scientific research and the development of advanced scientific instrumentation. He earned a PhD in cell and developmental biology at Harvard, conducted postdoctoral research at Rockefeller University, and worked in biotechnology and science philanthropy before joining the Foundation.
Dušan Pejaković, PhD, is the program director for the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative at the Moore Foundation. He earned his PhD in physics from The Ohio State University and conducted research at SRI International before transitioning to science philanthropy. At the Foundation, he develops and manages philanthropic investments across physics, astronomy, and Earth science.
Janet Coffey, PhD, is a program director at the Moore Foundation, where she leads the Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative. She earned an undergraduate degree in human biology and a PhD in science education from Stanford, and previously served on the faculty at the University of Maryland. Her career has focused on engaging the public with science through innovative approaches to learning with curiosity, inquiry and authentic scientific experiences.
Jane Frommer, PhD, is a chemist and early practitioner of nanoscience whose research helped establish scanning probe microscopy (SPM) as a tool for chemistry and materials science. Her SPM studies of imaging, manipulation, and measuring material properties of small collections of organic molecules took place at the IBM Almaden Research Laboratories and at the University of Basel. In earlier work in industry she created the solution state of electronically conducting polymers. Her Caltech doctorate was in organometallic chemistry. She is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society. Her honors include the ACS Award in Industrial Chemistry and the Perkin Medal for lifetime achievement in applied chemistry.
Register by Sunday, September 13, 2026
This event will include a catered lunch with an assortment of sandwiches and salads. Drinks provided by the Moore Foundation. Attendance is capped at 80 people.
Our Alumni Volunteers
The following alumni work together to serve you: Avni Gandhi, Dave Adler, Eilleen Zhang, Jane Frommer, Ralph Pursifull, Reeya Chenanda, Susan Huynh, and Peter Tong.