To study and conduct research on the cutting edge of sub-atomic string theory, it takes a very smart person. To make string theory understandable to audiences that have only a basic understanding of physics - now that may very well take genius.
Brian Greene, world-renowned string theorist and author, wraps up the Distinguished Speakers Series for the semester Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at Alumni Arena.
Greene has lectured in more than 25 countries and is widely regarded for many groundbreaking discoveries in string theory, but he is perhaps better known for being able to make physics concepts easier to comprehend, often using analogies and characters from popular television programs such as "The X-Files" or "The Simpsons."
If it is accurate, string theory suggests that the electrons, neutrinos and quarks that were thought to be the smallest components of an atom, are actually made up of strands of energy, or strings.
String theory also fills in the gaps between Einstein's theories of relativity to quantum physics-thus broadening currently held theories about the universe.
In his first book, "The Elegant Universe," Greene popularized the superstring theory, as well as the M-theory. It also won the Aventis Prize for Science Books, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in non-fiction. Greene narrated a three-part "Nova" special for PBS based on the book.
In his second book, "Fabric of the Cosmos," Greene focused on space, time and the texture of reality. Although Greene's vocation may be extremely difficult to understand, the book was a New York Times bestseller.
Greene has appeared on TV many times himself. He has been on "Charlie Rose," "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," "The Century with Peter Jennings," CNN, "Nightline in Primetime," the "Late Show with David Letterman," and has also visited fellow Distinguished Speaker Conan O'Brien on his "NBC Late Night" program.
SA President Dela Yador said Greene should prove to be a very interesting lecturer, regardless of whether audience members are familiar with his work.
"Students that are interested in the history of his work will definitely get a kick out of the lecture," Yador said. "This is one of the nation's best research schools so I think it's fitting that he's coming. We do have a knack for bringing people from all fields so I think he fits right it."
"This is a great way to touch all spectrums of what people are interested in," he added. "I don't personally know too much about him, but I think that students who are familiar with his work will enjoy it and the UB community will enjoy it as well."
Greene has been a professor at Columbia University since 2003. Born in New York City, he was a mathematical prodigy. At the age of 5, he could multiply 30-digit numbers. When he turned 12 years old, Greene was tutored by a Columbia University professor because his knowledge in mathematics had reached the collegiate level.
Greene graduated Harvard with a degree in physics and then attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar. He joined the physics faculty of Cornell University in 1990, and in 1996 he joined Columbia University where he is professor of physics and mathematics.
In research, Greene has concentrated on the extra dimensions that must exist in order for string theory to work. Currently, he is the co-director of Columbia's Institute for Strings, Cosmology, and Astroparticle Physics.
Greene is also the head of a research program applying the superstring theory to cosmological issues.
Tickets to the lecture are available for purchase at the Alumni Arena box office, Tops markets, as well as through www.tickets.com.
Discount vouchers for tickets to UB faculty and staff are also available.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
