ALAN LIGHTMAN

Recognized for his dual achievements as both a scientist and as a writer, Alan Lightman is one of a select group of scholars whose professional work has successfully bridged the gap between the worlds of art and science. As one of America's foremost interpreters of science, Lightman, a Professor in the Writing and Humanistic Studies Program at MIT, focuses on the intersection of the arts and sciences by exploring the many ways good writing informs and strengthens both worlds. Prof. Lightman has been highly recognized for his academic writings by the American Physical Society and the American Association for the advancement of Science and in turn was elected a fellow of both organizations in 1989. What makes Alan Lightman most remarkable is that these accomplishments in the scientific realm have been matched by equal success in the world of arts and literature. He is the author of a dozen books, some of which have been translated into thirty languages, including The Diagnosis, Good Benito, Einstein's Dreams, and Dance for Two. Einstein's Dreams, an international best seller, was runner up for the 1994 PEN New England/Winship Award and was the March 1998 selection for National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" book club. Einstein's Dreams is one of the most widely used books on college campuses today and has been selected for "Common Book" programs at a dozen major universities. The Diagnosis has received wide critical acclaim, was voted one of the 10 best novels of the year by Booksense (independent booksellers), has been a Barnes and Noble national college bestseller, and was a finalist for the 2000 National Book Award in fiction. Lightman received his undergraduate degree from Princeton and his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the California Institute of Technology. From 1976 to 1989, he taught astronomy and physics at Harvard University where he received international recognition for his research in astrophysics and had a number of articles published in the leading journals of physics.