Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and astrobiologist, and the director of the BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University. He is also the bestselling author of many books with shocking and provocative titles, including The Mind of God, How to Build a Time Machine and The Eerie Silence, which explores the scientific quest to find intelligent life in the universe.
Paul’s research interests range from the origin of the universe to the origin of life, and include the nature of time, the search for life in the universe and foundational questions in quantum mechanics. He helped create the theory of quantum fields in curved spacetime, with which he provided explanations for how black holes can radiate energy, and what caused the ripples in the cosmic afterglow of the big bang. In astrobiology, he was a forerunner of the theory that life on Earth may have come from Mars. He is currently championing the theory that Earth may host a shadow biosphere of alternative life forms. Paul also runs a National Cancer Institute-funded research program the Center for the Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology, and has published a new theory of cancer based on tracing its deep evolutionary roots.
Paul is chair of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Post-Detection Taskgroup, so if SETI succeeds in finding intelligent life, he will be among the first to know. He is the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize for his work on science and religion, and has twice debated scientific topics with none other than the Dalai Lama. Last but not least, Paul has an asteroid flying through the universe with his name on it.
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