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A renowned theoretical and applied physicist, Dr. Mani Bhaumik has spent his career asking the deepest questions, the ones that help us understand the intangible laws and structures governing our physical world. His discoveries in laser science improved how we treat psoriasis and build computer chips, and he is credited as a co-developer of the technology that makes laser eye surgery possible.
Just as theory translates into practice in his work, Dr. Bhaumik has taken steps to support new ideas from the next generations of scholars. One of his life goals is to ensure that tomorrow’s scholars and researchers have the financial support they need to pursue their educations today.
Championing the physical sciences
In 2016, Dr. Bhaumik’s commitment to the growth of knowledge led him to make an $11 million gift – at that time the largest in the history of the UCLA College’s Division of Physical Sciences. This support enabled the division to establish the UCLA Mani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics, a world-leading center for research and inquiry.
While planning his landmark gift, Dr. Bhaumik took great care to ensure that his philanthropy went beyond the creation of the Institute itself. He also made certain to fund fellowships to benefit the graduate and postdoctoral students who would study there.
Through his continued giving — which includes a 2018 donation of $2 million towards fellowship support and study resources, and a 2025 commitment of a further $3 million to establish a program for the recruitment of postdoctoral fellows — Dr. Bhaumik remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of theoretical physicists.
Dean of Physical Sciences Miguel García-Garibay says, “Mani Bhaumik has long been one of the greatest champions of the physical sciences at UCLA. He knows that fellowships help unlock the full potential of our amazing student researchers. His vision should serve as a model for the entire university.”
The power of generosity
Dr. Bhaumik knows firsthand the impact this kind of support can have. Born in a remote village in West Bengal, India, he grew up in extreme poverty. Nevertheless, his determination and relentless curiosity spurred him to pursue an academic path. He earned a master’s degree in physics from the University of Calcutta, followed by a doctorate in 1958 from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
The next year, he came to UCLA at the age of 28 with just $3 in his pocket — his plane ticket had been paid for by a collection taken up in his village. Fortunately, an advance on his postdoctoral fellowship, provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, let him focus on the scholarship and research that would one day improve quality of life for people around the world.
Supporting research through fellowships
Drawing on his own experience, Dr. Bhaumik looks for ways to support new scholars. This spirit of “paying it forward” echoes the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be transformed from one form to another. In the same way, the generosity that originally helped Dr. Bhaumik flourish at UCLA now flows from him to new Bruins, enabling the university to attract the best emerging talent.
To those who receive them, fellowships such as the ones Dr. Bhaumik is funding are an essential part of their development as scientists.
Jani Penttala, a postdoctoral scholar in physics and astronomy, says: “Without the generous support from Dr. Bhaumik, it is unlikely that I could pursue the research I am doing now, which is important for the upcoming Electron Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Lab. Financial support like this is crucial for high-energy physics as there is little funding from industry, and I have great appreciation for individuals who help in keeping cutting-edge science alive.”
To learn how you can make a gift that matters to the physical sciences, contact
Drawing on his personal history as a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA, Dr. Mani Bhaumik seeks to make graduate education affordable for the students of today.
