BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Caltech Alumni - ECPv6.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Caltech Alumni X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Caltech Alumni REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20270314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20271107T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20280312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20281105T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260709T114500 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260709T131500 DTSTAMP:20260609T224137Z CREATED:20260609T224059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T224137Z UID:41155-1783597500-1783602900@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:LA South Bay Techers Monthly Lunch (July) DESCRIPTION:Meet fellow alumni for lunch\, connect with others in your field\, talk science\, and share Caltech memories. Whether you want to discuss research\, revisit campus stories\, or meet new Techers in the area\, it’s a great way to stay engaged. \nThis month’s meetup: Thursday\, July 9\, 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.Location: Brewport Tap House & Kitchen\, 204 Main Street\, El Segundo\, CA 90245Menu: Available on Brewport’s website. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register here URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/la-south-bay-techers-monthly-lunch-july-2/ LOCATION:Brewport Tap House & Kitchen\, 204 Main Street\, El Segundo\, CA\, 90245\, United States CATEGORIES:Caltech Together ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Caltech-Together-South-Bay-Monthly-Lunch-1500x500-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Rhonda MacDonald (BS '74)":MAILTO:RLMSLL@roadrunner.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260716T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260716T190000 DTSTAMP:20260623T212032Z CREATED:20260623T211854Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260623T212032Z UID:41204-1784223000-1784228400@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Caltech Together: Silicon Valley DESCRIPTION:“What Makes a Person in This AI Age? Modeling Traits and States from Psychological and Neuroscience Data”by Ralph Adolphs\, Professor of Psychology\, Neuroscience\, and Biology\nPersonhood matters deeply to us personally (no pun intended)\, serving as the very foundation for our ethical and legal rights. Yet\, we do not understand what constitutes a person\, or where its boundaries lie. \nAre severely disabled people persons? Are animals? What about AI twins\, CEOs making AI-powered doubles attend meetings? I will argue that answering these questions requires a synthesis of two scientific disciplines: psychology and neuroscience. \nIn my lab at Caltech\, we leverage both disciplines to chart the taxonomy of our minds. We explore “states\,” like emotions\, that can vary day by day\, as well as “traits\,” like personality\, that define who we are over time. States and traits can be studied by neuroscience—directly within the physical brain rather than in the mind. \nIntegrating these approaches reveals three critical insights. First\, states like emotions can be isolated. They have neural mechanisms that we can dissect and manipulate. For example\, specific brain regions like the amygdala are necessary for fear. Second\, traits are complex. Enduring traits like personality can be predicted to some extent through patterns of brain activity but they defy easy mechanistic dissection. One reason for this difficulty—the third point—is that the states and traits in our current psychological inventory need a rigorous data-driven overhaul. \nWe routinely talk about states like fear\, happiness\, sadness and anger; and traits like stubbornness or shyness. But all these terms predated modern science and are unlikely to fit neatly into a future science of the mind. Truly understanding personhood\, whether in humans\, animals\, or AI\, will require us to fundamentally revise our very picture of what a mind actually is. \nAbout the Speaker\nRalph is the Bren Professor of Psychology\, Neuroscience and Biology at Caltech\, where he also chairs the Institutional Review Board (ethics and regulatory oversight of all studies in human participants). \nHe studied chemistry and biology as an undergraduate at Stanford\, and obtained his PhD at Caltech investigating how owls can hunt prey by sound alone (advisor: Mark Konishi). \nHe switched to human neuropsychology as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Iowa (advisor: Antonio Damasio) where he first became interested in emotions. \nSince 2004 his lab at Caltech studies human emotion and social behavior\, work that encompasses recordings from the brains of neurosurgical patients\, brain imaging studies of autistic people\, and collaborations with colleagues who work in animal models or engineer artificial agents. \nHis forthcoming book presents a new theory of emotions (“The new science of emotion: how brains represent what matters in the world”\, Princeton University Press\, 2027). \nUltimately\, Ralph aims to build a new science not only of emotions\, but of the mind—one that could explain how consciousness arises in humans and animals\, and how we could engineer minds into AI. \nTo attend\, please click this link to register for the event. \n \n \n \n \n \n Our Alumni Volunteers‍\nThe following alumni work together to serve you: Avni Gandhi\, Dave Adler\, Eilleen Zhang\, Jane Frommer\, Ralph Pursifull\, Reeya Chenanda\, Susan Huynh\, and Peter Tong. \n \n Register for the Event URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/caltech-together-silicon-valley-july-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Caltech Together ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Caltech-Together-Silicon-Valley-1500x500-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260725T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260726T235959 DTSTAMP:20260330T162857Z CREATED:20260330T162145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T162857Z UID:40329-1784937600-1785110399@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Tables for Techers DESCRIPTION:Tables for Techers: One Weekend\, Tables Worldwide\nTables for Techers is a global event that brings the Caltech community together through intimate\, local gatherings where curiosity meets conversation over great food. Last year\, over 800 Techers gathered at events across the U.S. and the world. Whether you’re an undergrad\, grad student\, postdoc\, alumnus\, or faculty member\, there’s a table you can host or a seat you can take during this special weekend in July. \n– Host Registration: Monday\, March 30 to Tuesday\, May 19\, 2026.– Guest Registration Friday\, June 5 to Tuesday\, July 7\, 2026. \nSaturday\, July 25 – Sunday\, July 26\, 2026\nVarious times and locations worldwide \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/tables-for-techers-2026/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tables-for-Techers-WordPress-Desktop-Landing-Page-Banner.png ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260808T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260808T153000 DTSTAMP:20260605T181409Z CREATED:20260529T183702Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T181409Z UID:40946-1786188600-1786203000@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:CAMP West LA DESCRIPTION:Mentorship\, Career Conversations\, and Life After Caltech\nHosted in West LA\, the Career Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP) gives alumni across Los Angeles a chance to meet Caltech students in a focused setting and share the kind of perspective they cannot get from a job posting\, class\, or online search. Whether your path has been traditional\, unexpected\, technical\, creative\, entrepreneurial\, academic\, or hard to explain in one sentence\, your experience can be valuable. \nThe program includes brunch and refreshments\, opening remarks from Joseph Greenwell\, associate vice president for Student Life and chief student affairs officer\, mentor orientation with Phil Naecker (BS ’76) and Claire Ralph\, director of Career Achievement\, Leadership\, and Exploration (CALE)\, and structured mentoring rotations with students. \nValet parking is included for registered mentors. \nPreliminary Schedule \n11:30 a.m. – Alumni mentor arrival and check-in; brunch and refreshments served11:50 a.m. – Speaking program begins12:30 p.m. – Student arrival and check-in12:45 p.m. – Mentoring sessions and rotations begin3:30 p.m. – Event concludes \nRegistration \n– CAMP West LA is free for registered mentors and includes brunch\, refreshments\, mentor orientation\, and valet parking.– To support a strong mentor-student experience\, alumni mentor registrations will be reviewed and confirmed in advance of the event.– Alumni who register to mentor will be notified of their confirmation status beginning Monday\, July 13. Mentor support is highly needed\, and all interested alumni are encouraged to register. \nRegister by Friday\, July 24. \nFor questions\, contact Xochiltl Bravo at info@alumni.caltech.edu or 626-395-6592. \n \n Register URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/camp-west-la/ LOCATION:Griffin Club Los Angeles\, 3084 Motor Ave.\, Los Angeles\, CA\, 90064\, United States CATEGORIES:Caltech In ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Caltech-in-WP-Event-Header-32.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260810T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260813T235959 DTSTAMP:20251217T194107Z CREATED:20250410T225500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T194107Z UID:33314-1786320000-1786665599@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Total Solar Eclipse with a Taste of Spain DESCRIPTION:Experience the 2026 Total Eclipse in SpainThis program is sold out.\n\n\nOn August 12\, 2026\, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain. Join fellow Techers in Zaragoza\, a historic city along the path of totality\, for an immersive experience that combines science\, exploration\, and community. \nThis program offers a rare opportunity to witness one of nature’s most striking phenomena while engaging with experts and alumni. In addition to the eclipse\,participants will explore Zaragoza’s rich cultural and scientific heritage \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n  \nStay Connected\nAccurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \nFeatured Guests\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Douglas Duncan (BS ’73)\n Emeritus faculty member in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences of the University of Colorado \n \nDr. Douglas Duncan is an astronomer at the University of Colorado and former director of the Fiske Planetarium. He was part of the team that first identified sunspot cycles on other stars and later worked on the Hubble Space Telescope. \nA member of The Explorer’s Club\, he has traveled to the North Pole and provided science commentary for outlets such as Chicago Public Radio\, the History Channel\, and BBC Horizon. An award-winning educator\, he has led eclipse-viewing trips worldwide. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/total-solar-eclipse-with-a-taste-of-spain/ CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taste-of-Spain.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261103T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261118T235959 DTSTAMP:20260203T180048Z CREATED:20260203T175008Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T180048Z UID:39344-1793664000-1795046399@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Bali\, Singapore\, Thailand & Angkor Wat DESCRIPTION:A Four-Country Journey Through Southeast Asia\n\n\nBegin in Bali\, where village life\, sacred temples\, and centuries-old irrigation systems offer insight into daily traditions shaped by spirituality and landscape. Continue to Singapore to experience a dynamic blend of historic neighborhoods and modern architecture\, from cultural enclaves to iconic civic landmarks and gardens. In Thailand\, discover Bangkok from the water and on foot as you trace royal history at the Grand Palace\, observe daily life along the Chao Phraya River\, and explore the ruins of Ayutthaya\, the former capital of Siam. Conclude in Cambodia with an in-depth exploration of the Angkor Archeological Park\, including Angkor Wat\, Angkor Thom\, and Ta Prohm\, where monumental stone temples and intricate carvings reveal the scale and ambition of the Khmer Empire. This small-group experience features deluxe accommodations\, expert guides\, immersive cultural encounters\, and a comprehensive meal plan with wine at dinner. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Stay Connected\nAccurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \nFeatured Guests\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dehn Gilmore\, PhD\n Professor of English\, Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences \n Dehn Gilmore is professor of English in Caltech’s Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. She is the author of The Victorian Novel and the Space of Art: Fictional Form on Display (Cambridge University Press\, 2014) and is currently completing a group biography and cultural history of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Britain titled The Improvers: The Schuster Siblings and the Remaking of Modern Britain. \nHer scholarship focuses on the Victorian novel and visual culture\, with work appearing in Victorian Studies\, Victorian Literature and Culture\, Nineteenth-Century Literature\, LA Review of Books\, and History of Photography\, among other publications. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/bali-singapore-thailand-angkor-wat/ CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SHS_708487252_AngkorWat.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270305T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270321T235959 DTSTAMP:20260514T203135Z CREATED:20260219T174327Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T203135Z UID:39391-1804204800-1805673599@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:New Zealand: Land of the Long White Cloud DESCRIPTION:From Harbors to Fiords\nBegin in Auckland\, set between two natural harbors shaped by volcanic geology and maritime trade\, where a guided introduction and curator-led visit to the Auckland Museum provide context on Maori taonga and cultural history. Continue to Wellington for panoramic views from Mount Victoria and an evening exploration of Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary\, an ambitious urban conservation project focused on restoring endemic species. \nCross Cook Strait to the South Island and arrive in the Marlborough wine region\, where climate and terrain converge to produce world-class vintages. Travel along the Kaikoura coast for a whale-watching excursion in nutrient-rich waters influenced by deep ocean currents before continuing to Christchurch\, a city balancing heritage and post-earthquake innovation. \nBoard the TranzAlpine Train across the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps\, then walk through temperate rain forest to view Franz Josef Glacier\, where geology and climate intersect in dramatic fashion. Conclude in Queenstown with visits to Arrowtown\, panoramic views from Bob’s Peak\, and a cruise through Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. This small-group journey features first-class accommodations\, expert guides and lecturers\, immersive cultural experiences\, and a comprehensive meal plan with wine at dinner. \nA Caltech faculty leader will be announced and will accompany the group to provide additional academic insight throughout the journey. \n \n \n \n \n \n Stay Connected\nAccurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/new-zealand-land-of-the-long-white-cloud/ CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-500-px-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270731T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270803T235959 DTSTAMP:20260203T202226Z CREATED:20260203T202223Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T202226Z UID:39393-1816992000-1817337599@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Total Solar Eclipse by the Sea: Gibraltar DESCRIPTION:A Front-Row View of a Rare Astronomical Event\n\n\nJoin fellow Techers in Gibraltar to observe the August 2\, 2027 total solar eclipse\, the longest to cross land in decades. From this carefully selected location along the path of totality\, experience over four minutes of darkness with favorable weather conditions\, coastal cooling\, and unobstructed horizons optimized for scientific observation. \nLed by veteran eclipse expert Dr. Douglas Duncan\, this small-group program combines structured talks\, guided eclipse viewing\, and discussion of solar physics\, celestial mechanics\, and observational techniques. Participants will observe the eclipse from the Sunborn Gibraltar\, a permanently docked super-yacht hotel offering a stable viewing platform\, along with curated cultural excursions in southern Spain and Gibraltar. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Stay Connected\nAccurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \nFeatured Guests\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Douglas Duncan (BS ’73)\n Emeritus faculty member in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences of the University of Colorado \n \nDr. Douglas Duncan is an astronomer at the University of Colorado and former director of the Fiske Planetarium. He was part of the team that first identified sunspot cycles on other stars and later worked on the Hubble Space Telescope. \nA member of The Explorer’s Club\, he has traveled to the North Pole and provided science commentary for outlets such as Chicago Public Radio\, the History Channel\, and BBC Horizon. An award-winning educator\, he has led eclipse-viewing trips worldwide. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/total-solar-eclipse-by-the-sea-gibraltar/ CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-500-px-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270917T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270926T235959 DTSTAMP:20260219T175944Z CREATED:20260219T175941Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T175944Z UID:39707-1821139200-1822003199@www.alumni.caltech.edu SUMMARY:Greece: Athens & Kalamata DESCRIPTION:From City-States to Coastlines\nBegin in Athens\, where classical ideals of governance\, philosophy\, and architecture shaped the foundations of Western civic life. Ascend the Acropolis to stand before the Parthenon and explore the Acropolis Museum\, where artifacts and architectural fragments illuminate daily life in ancient Greece. Stroll through vibrant neighborhoods where contemporary culture unfolds alongside millennia-old ruins. \nTravel south to the Peloponnese to explore Mycenae\, the Bronze Age citadel associated with Agamemnon and Homeric legend\, before continuing to Kalamata along the Messenian Gulf. Walk through the remarkably preserved ruins of ancient Messene\, then consider the discipline and legacy of Sparta. In the hilltop city of Mystras\, trace the layers of Byzantine history through monasteries\, churches\, and palaces set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. \nStand at the starting line of the first Olympic Games at ancient Olympia and reflect on the enduring power of ritual and athletic competition. Along the way\, examine the agricultural and culinary traditions that define the region\, from olive cultivation and oil production to local wines and coastal cuisine. Evenings invite leisurely walks beneath bougainvillea-draped balconies and shared meals that celebrate the rhythms of Greek life. This small-group journey features deluxe accommodations\, expert guides and lecturers\, immersive archaeological and cultural experiences\, and a comprehensive meal plan with wine at dinner. \nA Caltech faculty leader will be announced and will accompany the group to provide additional academic insight throughout the journey. \n \n \n \n \n \n Accurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/greece-athens-kalamata/ CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-500-px-3.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR