The MPS Scholars team is made up of academic, administrative, and student staff that work in partnership with faculty, staff, and students from the Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) community. The office welcomes all from the campus and broader community to partner with us and support the work we do!
Frances Hellman, Ph.D.
Faculty, Physics Department & Principal Investigator for MPS Scholars
Former Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division
Frances Hellman received her BA in Physics from Dartmouth College in 1978, graduating summa cum laude and phi beta kappa with high honors in physics. She received her PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University in 1985, studying what were then considered the high Tc superconductors (the A15's). After a 2 year post-doc in thin film magnetism at AT&T Bell Labs, she went to UCSD as an assistant professor in 1987, where she received tenure in 1994 and became a full professor in 2000. She joined the Physics Dept at UC Berkeley in Jan 2005, and became Chair of the Department in 2007. Dr. Hellman served as the Dean of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences for seven years from 2015-2021 . Click here to read more about Dr. Hellman (link is external)
Colette Patt, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division
Director, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Scholars
Colette Patt is the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division (MPS), at the University of California, Berkeley. As the MPS Division's chief diversity officer, she generates, facilitates, and leads efforts across the division to increase diversity and achieve equitable outcomes at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty levels. Her scholarly work focuses on academic life, identity, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, disability in higher education, and institutional change. Dr. Patt received her BA in English and Women's Studies in 1985, and her Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Studies in Education at UC Berkeley in 1995.
Claire-Marie Kooi
Associate Director, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Scholars
Claire-Marie Kooi is the Associate Director of MPS Scholars in the Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division (MPS), at UC Berkeley. In this role, she develops, implements, and directs programming that promotes equity and provides pathways to success for underrepresented students. Previously, Claire-Marie worked in the UC Berkeley College of Engineering and oversaw programs such as Engineering Scholars as Engaged Scholars ((ES)2), which engages students at the intersection of environmental justice, social justice, and engineering. In addition to (ES)2, she was also the founding director of the First Generation Mentor Program, Transfer Mentor Program, and Berkeley Mentorship Cohort, which aim to increase the success and retention of underrepresented students in engineering. Claire-Marie has a passion for STEM and has dedicated her professional career to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in higher education. Claire-Marie received her BA in Environmental Earth Science with a minor in Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley, and her MS in Environmental Science from Chico State.
Brit Toven-Lindsey, Ph.D.
Research Associate, Mathematical & Physical Sciences DEIA Office
Brit Toven-Lindsey is a research associate in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Office in the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS). In this role she is involved in multiple grant-funded research projects focused on creating a more equitable and inclusive scholarly community for students, faculty and staff in MPS. Brit’s research is focused on giving voice to the diverse experiences of students and instructors, and the ways that more equitable pedagogical approaches, campus policies and practices, and learning environments can support student success and persistence. She has worked in higher education for more than 20 years with roles in student programs, international education, faculty development, and research and assessment. She earned her Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change at UCLA in 2017.
Cynthia Baker-Smith
Program Manager, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Scholars
Cynthia (Cindi) Baker-Smith came to MPS Scholars with a wealth of experience from her role as Senior Program Manager of the UC Berkeley College Corps Program, where she provided leadership for a wide range of programmatic and administrative functions. The College Corps Program provides debt-free college opportunities for underrepresented students while engaging them in addressing critical community challenges, such as food and climate justice, K-12 education, and behavioral health and wellness.
Prior to this, Cindi worked in the Department of Psychology, where she managed the administrative operations for a smoothly run Clinical Science Student Training Program. With a strong background in program management, data-driven outcomes, and student support, Cindi has a proven track record in managing complex projects and building effective partnerships. Her responsibilities have included everything from liaising with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements to developing strategies to welcome and support students.
Cindi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, East Bay, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Touro University.