Renowned Cosmologist to Champion Origins Initiative at Arizona State University

'Physics of Star Trek' author brings ability to address fundamental questions

TEMPE, Ariz., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical
physicist and cosmologist whose research is so broad that it covers science
from the beginning of the universe to the end of the universe, will join
Arizona State University in August to assume a leadership role in an emerging
research and educational initiative on "origins."
"Lawrence Krauss has been at the forefront of trying to unify particle
physics and cosmology; of trying to use the universe itself as a laboratory to
understand fundamental interactions, fundamental science and fundamental
physics," says ASU President Michael Crow. "His ability to address fundamental
questions of life, of origins - Where did we come from? Why are we here? --
and to seek an understanding of the long-term sustainability of life on Earth,
will facilitate this new research and educational initiative at Arizona State
University."
Krauss will join ASU's faculty as professor in the School of Earth and
Space Exploration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He will come to
ASU after 15 years at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, 12 as
chair of the physics department. Previously, Krauss was a member of the
physics and astronomy departments at Yale University.
"What attracted me to ASU was not only the entrepreneurial spirit and
wonderful new colleagues, but also the opportunity to build on existing novel
interdisciplinary programs to create a broad new structure that looks at
exciting open issues of origins, ranging from the origins of the universe to
the galaxy and solar system and onward to human origins, to origins of
consciousness and culture. We will look for new symbiotic relationships, build
excitement across disciplines, and help convey the wonder of discovery to the
public," says Krauss.
"Arizona State University has a long tradition of studying the origins of
human beings; we have great strengths in applied, use-inspired research, in
the Biodesign Institute and across our colleges and schools," says Crow. "We
also have tremendous interest in fundamental research, and Dr. Krauss will
help define for ASU a major, comprehensive initiative, to answer the complex
questions of our time.
"It's foolish for us to believe that all origins have already happened. On
the eve of a set of very rapid changes in our world, the only kind of origins
we can observe, can truly document, are the origins of the future," says Crow.
"ASU aims to be a global leader in this area. This new, far-reaching
initiative will help us build strong links with many of our existing research
centers, including the Institute of Human Origins and the Beyond Center for
Fundamental Concepts in Science."
More at: http://asunews.asu.edu/20080520_krauss

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SOURCE Arizona State University

Carol Hughes of Arizona State University, +1-480-965-6375,
carol.hughes@asu.edu