Michio Kaku, renowned physicist and TV science show host, comes to UNR

RENO, Nev. – Popular physicist and professor Michio Kaku is a co-creator of string field theory. He continues Einstein’s search to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into one unified theory and has published doctoral textbooks on quantum field theory. When he’s not working to explain the origin and evolution of the universe, he’s bringing science to the public.

Kaku hosts national television and radio shows, and next month will give a public lecture at the University of Nevada, Reno titled “The Next 20 Years: How Revolutionary Advances in Science Will Alter Human Destiny.” The lecture is at 7 p.m., Feb. 7 and is part of the College of Science’s annual Discover Science Lecture Series.

“Our goal with the Discover Science lectures is to bring science to the community, to take some of the mystery out of it and help people understand the important role science has in our daily lives and our future,” Jeff Thompson, physicist and dean of the College of Science, said. “Michio Kaku fits the bill perfectly. He can communicate complex ideas in simple and entertaining ways.”

Kaku has published over 70 articles and 11 books. His “Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel” book made the New York Times Best Seller List. He is host of the Science Channel’s TV series, “Sci Fi Science,” as well as a national science radio show that airs in 140 cities.

He will lecture about his latest New York Times best-seller “The Physics of the Future,” about how science will revolutionize our world in the next 10, 50 and 100 years.

For more than 25 years, Kaku has taught at The City College of New York where he holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics. He received a bachelor of science (summa cum laude) from Harvard University in 1968. He went on to the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley and received a doctorate in 1972. In 1973, he held a lectureship at Princeton University.

Now in its third year, the Discover Science Lecture Series has featured Bill Nye the Science Guy and Robert Trivers, evolutionary biologist and Doug Smith, director of the Yellowstone Wolf Project. Next in the line-up in the series of lectures is Steven Strogatz, a professor of applied mathematics at Cornell University and a frequent guest on National Public Radio's “RadioLab.” His presentation is scheduled for Thursday, April 4.

The annual Discover Science Lecture Series features several presentations a year and has brought some of the world’s leading scientists to the Reno-Sparks community to share their knowledge, including anthropologist Anna Roosevelt, physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel Laureate and physicist Eric Cornell, chemist and green energy expert Harry Gray and Jeff Lieberman, musician, artist, researcher and host of “Time Warp” on the Discovery Channel.

Admission is free. Lectures are at 7 p.m. in the Redfield Auditorium, Davidson Mathematics and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno. Seating may be limited in the auditorium and will be on a first come-first serve basis for the Michio Kaku presentation. This lecture will also be live streamed to other nearby classrooms on campus.

Parking is reserved for the event on the upper level of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex. For more information, call (775) 784-4591 or visit the College of Science Web pages at www.unr.edu/science.

— Writer Mike Wolterbeek is a Media Relations Officer for the University of Nevada, Reno. He can be reached at mwolterbeek@unr.edu

Top Stories

... or see all stories

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of Nov. 11-17, 2024. Closures and lane restrictions are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

After a relatively mild weekend, another storm system is expected to arrive Monday that will bring gusty winds, mountain snow and some valley rain, according to the National Weather Service.

The Tazmanian Boxing Club from Carson City is heading to the nationals and is actively seeking sponsors to support their journey.

Carson City Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol were called Saturday evening to a crash involving three vehicles near the intersection of Highway 50 East and Fairview.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Douglas County TRIAD will hold a citizen’s law enforcement academy this coming Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 12-15.

Lane and shoulder closures will take place on U.S. 95 at Walker Lake beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12 as NDOT installs speed feedback signs.

On the heels of the recent dusting of snow, ‘Plates for Powder,’ the program that offers free skiing and riding opportunities to those who purchase a Lake Tahoe license plate, returns for the 2024-25 winter season.

Join Carson High Safe Grad for a Fun Run on the Carson River trail behind the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park for Veterans Day, Monday Nov, 11, 2024 beginning at 9 a.m.

Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. is excited to announce the 4th annual Veterans Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. in partnership with the Carson City Elks Lodge No. 2177.

We are proud to announce that the 10u Blue football team from Carson City Pop Warner won the Snow Bowl last weekend!

They now qualify for the regional competition in Santa Clara, Ca. We are asking for help from the community to raise funds for travel expenses and lodging.

Supervisors approved allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Mills Park Pickleball Courts Project.

The board was required to make a final recommendation and approval of funding for the CDBG projects to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) convened on Thursday, November 7, 2024, to hear presentations and approve several significant agenda items.

The Carson Middle School annual Veteran's Day Concert was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm this morning, but there was no fire and all students and community members are safe, according to the district.

"Carson Middle School had a fire alarm sound today during the Veteran’s Day concert. All students, staff and visitors were evacuated safely. There was not a fire. The fire department responded and gave the all-clear to re-enter the building. The school resumed the school day."

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: On November 7, 2024, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies responded to the 1200 block of Pit Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos for a report of domestic assault involving a firearm. The caller informed Douglas County Emergency Communications that her son, identified as John Brown, had allegedly assaulted her with a handgun and then fled on foot.

This holiday season, experience the enchanting performance of The Nutcracker as Nevada Dance Company presents its 35th annual production, a beloved tradition that brings the magic of ballet to Northern Nevada. Set against Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, The Nutcracker transports audiences to a world of swirling snowflakes, heroic soldiers, and the enchanting Sugarplum Fairy.

The Carson High School Blue Thunder Band will perform in Chicago for the Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

Cleo got adopted after writing her own story two weeks ago, now her sister Juno insists she should be able to write hers as well. In Juno’s words:

The Carson City Fire Department (CCFD) would like to announce the start of the Fall 2024 Open Burn, with burning allowed from November 8, 2024, through January 1, 2025, dependent upon permit status and daily weather conditions. To make this a safe endeavor for those involved, the CCFD will require a burn permit.

The Friends of the Douglas County Library will host a two-day used book sale, Friday and Saturday, November 15-16, at the Minden Library, 1625 Library Lane.

Big Lots, Inc. (OTC: BIG) announced today store location 4215 S Carson St. Carson City, NV 8970, previously scheduled for closure, will remain open. The decision is part of the company’s ongoing restructuring process aimed at enhancing customer experience and refining its market presence.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) has won Nevada’s U.S. Senate race, fending off a challenge from Army veteran Sam Brown in a contest closer than polls had projected to represent the Silver State for a second term.

Join us for Carson City's High Water Mark Unveiling Ceremony next Thursday Nov. 14 from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Morgan Mill River Access. There will be interactive stations, guided walks, flood information and discussion and more.

Secondary school administrators at Carson MS, Eagle Valley MS, and Carson and Pioneer High School in Carson City chose a support called Check and Connect to implement a system of mentorship provided by school staff.

The intervention is a Tier 2 approach in the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for schools to address and support attendance and academic success in school.

Meet Katie, the sweetest and wiggliest pup you'll ever encounter! This adorable bundle of joy will have you smiling from ear to ear as soon as you call her name, because Katie has a unique way of showing her excitement—her whole rear end wiggles with delight!

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, here are the election results. We will continue to update the master election story which you can view here as results continue to be updated.

According to the Secretary of State's Office, 65.63% of registered voters in the capital city came out to cast their ballots, the majority of which utilized early voting (44.69%), followed by mail-in ballots (43.28%), and finally rounding out the last of the voters on election day (12.03%).

Carson Tahoe Health will host a Community Health Fair this Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, 1600 Medical Parkway in Carson City.

NV Energy is reporting power outages Wednesday afternoon in areas around Carson City. As of 2 p.m. there are 165 customers without power. The cause is under investigation. Go here for updates from NV Energy.

Carson City unofficial figures updated Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. (Still awaiting updated Carson City numbers, which were last updated around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning)

While time is up for the polls, which were scheduled to close at 7 p.m., if voters were in line before the cut off they will be allowed to vote. We will update the results as they come in. Carson City polls could take a couple hours to turn in their results.

Please be aware that mail-in ballots are being accepted as long as they were postmarked by election day, today, Nov. 5. This means that we will continue to see more results in the days to come, which is anticipated and expected.

Carson City Symphony Assoc. presents "Cello Fest"

The Carson City Symphony Assoc. presents "Cello Fest: On and Off the Page with Sera Smolen" on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Eagle Valley Middle School, 4151 E. 5th Street, Carson City.

Join Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery in Carson City this Saturday, Nov. 9, beginning at 11 a.m. as we begin our celebration of the holiday season. the gallery will be filled with beautiful local artwork and amazing gift ideas.