Which UCLA professor served as the show's science consultant?

UCLA professor David Saltzberg served as The Big Bang Theory’s science consultant.

Saltzberg is an experimental particle physicist and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. For the sitcom, he reviewed scripts, corrected scientific errors, and supplied realistic equations, diagrams, and technical dialogue. He also helped make the whiteboards in Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment contain genuine-looking scientific work rather than random symbols.

His involvement extended beyond proofreading. Saltzberg attended tapings when scenes required substantial scientific material and helped the writers maintain a credible scientific setting while preserving the comedy. He also arranged visits from prominent scientists through the show’s “Geek of the Week” program.

The role is sometimes confused with guest appearances by famous science communicators such as Brian Greene or other scientists who appeared as themselves. Those visitors were performers or guests; Saltzberg was the behind-the-scenes consultant responsible for the show’s scientific accuracy. He holds a PhD in physics and has researched high-energy collider physics and cosmic neutrinos.