Dr. Kuniharu Kubodera has been a faculty member in the USC Department of Physics and Astronomy since 1989. Dr. Kubodera received his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in 1970. His research interests are Theoretical Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Astrophysics. In 2003 he was awarded the Russell Research Award for his work in neutrino physics.

Dr. Kubodera is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. In honor of his 60th birthday in 2004, many world experts on nuclear and hadronic physics gathered at the KEK Workshop on Nuclear Chiral Dynamics to pay tribute to him. This international conference was held at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in Tsukuba, Japan. Nuclear chiral dynamics is one of several fields in which Kuniharu's contributions are particularly famous. On a personal note, Dr. Kubodera and his wife are dedicated ballroom dancers, participating in competitions and performing exhibitions. Kuniharu is also an avid butterfly collector.

Mrs. Barbara Kubodera joined the USC Faculty in the English Programs for Internationals (EPI) in 1990. EPI Faculty are qualified teachers of English as a Second Language with considerable training and experience. Mrs. Kubodera, a Testing Coordinator with EPI, has the following degrees and certifications: Juris Doctorate, Master of Arts, Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. She is a specialist in oral communication, grammar instruction, and testing.

The Kuboderas selflessly give not only money, but their time as well. Over the years, they have adopted foreign exchange students who have needed a helping hand while in America. They know the difficulties people face for the first time when coming to America. For their generosity and contributions to the College of Arts and Sciences, USC and the overall community, we are happy to announce Dr. and Mrs. Kuniharu Kubodera as November Friends of the Month.

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