When James Faller *63 pitched the idea of a “lunar laser retroreflector” (at astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s right side, above) to accurately measure the distance from Earth to the moon, the experiment struck a chord with NASA scientists — in part because it was lightweight and easy to set up. Today, it’s the only piece of equipment still operating at the Apollo 11 landing site, according Scientific American. Read more about how the experiment worked.
In an interview for the “Corner Office” series, Mellody Hobson ’91, co-chief executive of Ariel Investments, says her interest in understanding money — “a subject that is extraordinarily uncomfortable for a lot of people” — pushed her toward a career in finance. — The New York Times
Alexis McGill Johnson ’93, co-founder of the Perception Institute, has been named acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood following the departure of Leana Wen. — The Washington Post
Investor Carl Icahn ’57 launched a proxy fight against Occidental Petroleum over disagreements about a proposed acquisition. — Reuters
Hospice and palliative-medicine physician BJ Miller ’93 has co-authored a new book that offers practical, compassionate advice for those faced with end-of-life options. — CNN
“He showed the same kind of respect for every person whom he met, whether it was a young lawyer, whether it was a tourist on the street, whether it was a litigant in front of him.”
— Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber ’83, recalling the late Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens, for whom he clerked in 1989. Watch more in a video from News 12 New Jersey.
Princeton professor of sociology and public policy Douglas Massey *78 has seen renewed interest in his research on segregation after revived scrutiny of school busing. — The New York Times
Craig Mazin ’92’s HBO period drama Chernobyl has received 19 Emmy nominations. — Deadline
Nutrition author Daphne Oz ’08 will join the judging panel on MasterChef Junior for its upcoming season. — People
Brendan Wallace ’04 describes the changing nature of retail in an interview about his firm Fifth Wall Ventures, a venture-capital fund bridging the gap between real estate and technology. — The Real Deal
Jim Adams ’61 competed in the 80-and-over division of the USA Fencing National Championships — and won gold in three disciplines — decades after taking up the sport at Princeton. — Columbus Dispatch
Frances Arnold ’79, Anne Case *88, Sarah Churchwell *98, Juan Maldacena *66, Maria Ressa ’86, and Dani Rodrik *81 *85 have been named to Prospect’s list of the world’s top 50 thinkers of 2019. — Prospect Magazine