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Lawrence KraussAmerican physicist
Date of Birth: 27.05.1954
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Lawrence Krauss: A Pioneer in Physics and Science Education
- Early Life and Education
- Academic Career
- Scientific Publications and Books
- Public Engagement
- Awards and Honors
- Gravity Research Foundation First Prize Award (1984)
Lawrence Krauss: A Pioneer in Physics and Science Education
Lawrence Krauss is a renowned American physicist who has made significant contributions to the field of physics, particularly in the areas of cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics. He is the Founding Director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University.
Early Life and Education
Krauss was born into a Jewish family and moved to Toronto, Canada, shortly after his birth. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and physics from Carleton University in 1977. In 1982, he obtained his PhD in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Academic Career
After completing his doctorate, Krauss held research positions at Harvard University and Yale University. In 1993, he was appointed as the Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics, Professor of Astronomy, and Chair of the Department of Physics at Case Western Reserve University. He served as chair until 2005, during which time he led his department to a top-20 ranking in the 2005 National Research Council national rankings of physics research programs. Notable innovations included the establishment of one of the top experimental and theoretical programs in particle astrophysics in the United States and the introduction of pioneering master's programs in physics entrepreneurship. In 2002, he was also named Director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics.
In August 2008, Krauss became the Founding Director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the International Academy of Humanism.
Scientific Publications and Books
Krauss has authored over 300 scientific publications and nine books. His first book, "The Fifth Essence: The Search for Dark Matter in the Universe," was published in 1989 and won the Pacific Astronomy Society's Astronomy Book of the Year Award. Notably, his 1995 book, "The Physics of Star Trek," became a national bestseller in the United States with over 250,000 copies sold. Another significant work, "Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth... and Beyond," won the prestigious American Institute of Physics' Science Writing Award in 2002.
Public Engagement
Krauss has actively engaged in public discourse on the interplay between science and society. He has championed the role of science in education, particularly the teaching of evolution in American schools. His essays in The New York Times and his open letter to Pope Benedict XVI sparked a re-evaluation of the Catholic Church's stance on evolution. He also founded an organization in Ohio that identified and supported science-friendly candidates for the State Board of Education.
Krauss has advocated for public debates on science-related issues. His 2007 Wall Street Journal op-ed proposing presidential debates on science gained support from Nobel laureates, members of Congress, and thousands of scientists. He has participated in high-profile public discussions on science and science education, such as the 2008 event at Stanford University featuring Richard Dawkins.
Awards and Honors
Krauss has received numerous awards for his contributions to physics and science education, including:
Gravity Research Foundation First Prize Award (1984)
Presidential Young Investigator Award (1986)Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize (2001)
Andrew Gemant Award (2001)
Science Writing Award (2002)
Humanism Award (2003)
Oersted Medal (2004)
Joseph A. Burton Forum Award (2005)
Physicist of the Year by Physics World (2011)
National Science Board Public Service Award (2012)
Humanist of the Year (2015)
Richard Dawkins Award (2016)
