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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Kyoto Prize Symposium Explores Many Worlds

Since prehistoric times humans have studied the night sky and pondered the origin of our surroundings, the stars and the Earth and how they came to be. As it was then, and always will be, obtaining such understanding is a matter of the deepest complexity and stretch of the human imagination.

Presentations by three of the world’s most creative and scientific geniuses at this week’s 11th annual Kyoto Prize Symposium will push the boundaries of our imaginations. We will explore the origins of the universe, observe the evolution of an ancient craft into a science, and witness the elegant acting and dance movements of a performing arts icon. Our guides will be the latest laureates of the Kyoto Prize — Japan’s highest private award for global achievement.

Follow That Universe

Astrophysicist Dr. Rashid Sunyaev, Ph.D., the laureate in “Basic Sciences,” has played a significant role in expanding our understanding of how the universe was created and how its evolution has interacted with the matter surrounding us on the largest of distance scales. He is world-renowned for his role in developing the theory known as the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect. Through observation, Sunyaev has demonstrated that minute changes or fluctuations in the so-called cosmic microwave background radiation, or residual heat from the creation of the universe, provide highly detailed data regarding the birth and growth of the expanding universe.

Sunyaev is a citizen of both Russia and Germany, director of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, and chief scientist at the Space Research Institute of the prestigious Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also the Maureen and John Hendricks Visiting Professor in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J.

As part of this week’s symposium, Sunyaev and his fellow recipients of the 27th annual Kyoto Prize will give free public presentations to audiences, beginning with media interviews at Point Loma Nazarene University. Sunyaev will speak at UC San Diego, Price Center Ballrooms A and B, 3:30-5:00 p.m., March 21.

Advances in the science of materials have been shaping human civilization since the Stone Age. Materials scientist Dr. John W. Cahn, the latest Kyoto Prize laureate in Advanced Technology, established the theory of three-dimensional spinodal decomposition, enabling scientists worldwide to solve the toughest engineering challenges by using “designer” alloy materials. He will speak at San Diego State University, 10:00-11:30 a.m., March 21.

Kabuki remains a somewhat mysterious art to many Americans. University of San Diego will host Kabuki legend Tamasaburo Bando V, the laureate in Arts and Philosophy, who is renowned for his elegant beauty that crosses the genres of performing arts. Tamasaburo will share insights about his dance and drama experience at USD’s Shiley Theatre, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., March 22.

Register today for these complimentary, once-in-a-lifetime presentations, and experience for yourself how the Kyoto Prize laureates have expanded our universe and advanced human thought and creativity (www.kyotoprize-us.org).

Mark Thiemens, Ph.D., is dean of UC San Diego’s Division of Physical Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Chancellor’s Associates Chair.

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