Elizabeth H. Simmons

Elizabeth H. Simmons is an American theoretical physicist, and Executive Vice Chancellor at University of California San Diego. Formerly, she was a distinguished professor of physics at Michigan State University, the dean of Lyman Briggs College, and the associate provost for faculty and academic staff development. She has also held positions at Harvard University and Boston University. Simmons is married to fellow physicist R. Sekhar Chivukula.

Education A graduate of Harvard University, Simmons earned her master's degree in physics from the University of Cambridge. It was at the University of Cambridge where she wrote her thesis on the origins and symmetry of some incommensurate phases, under the direction of Volker Heine, PhD. In 2016, Michigan State appointed Simmons the associate provost for faculty and academic staff development.

From 2004 to 2007, Simmons served as Corporate Secretary of the Aspen Center for Physics. She later became an Honorary General Member of the institution. One way that Simmons advocates for this advancement is through public speaking. Simmons argues that there are several contributing factors adding to the issue of gender inequity in STEM field—such as implicit bias, gender schema, and stereotype threat. Simmons proposes several solutions to some of these factors, which include increasing aware of implicit bias, promoting diversity for the betterment of STEM, and promoting gender-neutral parental leave. List of Local Outreach Activities The purpose of this committee is to look into issues relevant to LGBT, and other sexual- and gender-minority physicists. The committee is responsible for investigating their (LGBT persons) “representation in physics, assess the educational and professional climate in physics, recommend changes in policies and practices that impact LGBT physicists, and address other issues that affect inclusion.” The report covered several issues faced by the LGBT community, and touched on several possible recommendations. In 2002, Simmons was awarded the United Methodist Church Scholar/Teacher of the Year. This award acknowledges outstanding scholars for their dedication to learning and to the institution. More recently, in February 2012, the American Physical Society named Simmons the Women Physicist of the Month. The following year (2013) Simmons was awarded the Robert F. Banks Award for Institutional Leadership—an award reserved for any faculty member in recognition of extraordinary and sustained leadership that advances Michigan State University's commitment to connectivity, quality, and inclusion.,