Ion Caltech Today
Construction and Parking
Photos of construction progress at South Gate Plaza as of January 2026.
Pedestrian Access
- From Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, April 11, a section of the sidewalk along California Boulevard near the entrance to the Downs-Lauritsen Building will be removed and replaced. Pedestrian access to this area will be temporarily restricted. Building access will remain available via an alternate route. Work will take place daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Construction Impacts
- Ginsburg Center: Construction of the main building is ongoing and progressing as scheduled.
- South Gate Plaza: Construction activity in the area has increased and will continue into February.
- Downs-Lauritsen Lab: The installation of glass on the bridge connecting Downs-Lauritsen with the Ginsburg Center has been completed.
- Frank J. Malina Laboratory for High-Speed Flight Dynamics: Construction on the south side of the Guggenheim Laboratory is ongoing.
Parking and Traffic
- There are no new parking and traffic updates at this time.
Community Member Milestones
- In memoriam:
Alfredo "Freddie" De La Torre
Freddie, a member of Caltech Dining Services, passed away on March 3 at age 49. He served the Caltech community for 26 years. The flag at Caltech Hall will be lowered from Wednesday, March 18, to Friday, March 20, in honor of his life and service.
- Celebrating a recognition:
David Delgadillo
David, a postdoctoral scholar research associate in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, is one of two winners of the Nemko Mentorship Prize. Awarded through the Beckman Institute and established in 2025, the prize celebrates the work of graduate students and postdocs as advocates, mentors, and supporters of those at earlier stages of study and is made possible by Dr. Marty Nemko, an author, career coach, and longtime Caltech supporter.
- Celebrating a recognition:
Jacob Rothbaum
Jacob, a postdoctoral scholar research associate in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, is one of two winners of the Nemko Mentorship Prize. Awarded through the Beckman Institute and established in 2025, the prize celebrates the work of graduate students and postdocs as advocates, mentors, and supporters of those at earlier stages of study and is made possible by Dr. Marty Nemko, an author, career coach, and longtime Caltech supporter.
- In memoriam:
Carl Grillmair
Carl Grillmair, an astronomer at Caltech's IPAC science and data center for astronomy and planetary science, passed away on February 16 at the age of 67. A pioneer in exoplanets and stellar streams, he led a landmark 2007 study capturing light from distant worlds to identify atmospheric molecules. Over nearly 30 years, Carl shaped NASA missions, earned prestigious honors, and inspired colleagues with his creativity and passion for discovery.
- Celebrating a remarkable career:
Joseph "Joe" Drew
In March, Joe, the Facilities and Stockroom Operations Manager in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (CCE), will conclude more than 30 years of dedicated service at Caltech. During his tenure, Joe established laboratories for new faculty, guided CCE through rapidly changing procedures during the pandemic, and resolved issues with his deep knowledge of the division’s operations.
- Welcome to Caltech:
William Phillips
On January 5, William joined Caltech as operations staff in Athletics, Recreation, and Instruction (ARI). At ARI, he will assist with the membership program, provide customer service to guests and members of the facility, and work collaboratively with the operations team and department staff. Prior to Caltech, he worked in operations and athletics at Providence Christian College.
Resources
The SFCC’s experienced mental health professionals offer staff and faculty up to five confidential consultation sessions to assess needs and discuss next steps.
Students, postdocs, faculty, and staff can borrow eBikes, helmets, and U-locks from the Caltech Library’s Bikeshare webpage.
Didn’t bring lunch today? Check out what you can get on campus through the dining menus for Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Cafe, and Avery Kitchen.