Renowned Cosmologist to Champion Origins Initiative at Arizona State University

TEMPE, Ariz., May. 20 /PRNewswire/ --

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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