Hutton Honors College

1999 Nobel Laureate in Physics Gerardus 't Hooft

An Undergraduate Lunch

Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 12:30-2 p.m.
Harlos House (1331 E. Tenth St.)
SIGN-UP REQUIRED

To me, Nature is a big jig-saw puzzle, and I see it as my task to try to fit pieces of it together. -Gerardus 't Hooft

Gerardus 't Hooft is a Dutch theoretical physicist and professor at Utrecht University whose work has focused on gauge theory, black holes, quantum gravity, and quantum mechanics. The Nobel, which he won with his thesis advisor, Martinus J.G. Veltman, is one of many honors he has received, including the Wolf and Spinoza prizes and the Lorentz and Franklin medals. The asteroid 9491 Thooft was named in his honor and he has written a constitution for its inhabitants: (found here). On campus to deliver the physics department's Konopinski Lecture (details below), 't Hooft will address in his lecture such questions as, Does Einstein's gravity theory need to be refined? Where do we start improving existing theories in quantum mechanics? What are the secrets the fundamental building block of matter still have for us? His website reports on his many other activities, including writing a book called Playing with Planets, a fairy tale about his experiences with Windows Vista, his theories (and bets) on whether theoretical physics can explain paranormal phenomena, his views on religion, his arguments as to why establishing "a thriving human colony on the Moon" should precede human exploration of Mars, and much more.

Join Nobel Laureate Gerardus 't Hooft for lunch and a wide-ranging conversation.

For more on his career and work, visit these and other online sites:
http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1999/thooft-autobio.html
http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theorist.html
http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theoristbad.html

Professor 't Hooft will be on campus to deliver a Konopinski Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., in Woodburn 100 on the topic "From the Standard Model to Quantum Gravity." The lecture, which is open to all, is sponsored by the IU Department of Physics.

This event is co-sponsored by the Hutton Honors College and the Wells Scholars Program.

SIGN-UP INFO: If you are interested in attending this event, please reply to Anna Duquaine (aduquain@indiana.edu), indicating you wish to sign up for the "Gerardus 't Hooft lunch," and include your name, e-mail address, year in school, and field(s) of study. Space is limited so we will let you know by e-mail if a space was available when you replied.

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