| February 4, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 P.M. ET | Virtual Event |
In this interactive discussion, theoretical physicist and Chair of Harvard’s Astronomy Department, Dr. Avi Loeb will delve into his controversial theory that in 2017 our solar system was visited by advanced alien technology. A theory he explores in great depth in his most recent book.
Named by TIME Magazine as one of the 25 most influential people in space, and considered to be Harvard’s top astronomer, Dr. Loeb has devoted his entire professional career to studying space, extraterrestrial life, cosmology, and astrophysics.
This session of Forecast is a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from Dr. Loeb’s work as Chair of Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative and as the Chair of the scientific advisory committee for Breakthrough Starshot –– a $100 million research and engineering program (launched by Stephen Hawking) seeking to develop a new technology for uncrewed interstellar travel.
01 The argument for extraterrestrial life and interstellar space
02 The “Oumuamua wager”: Accepting the possibility of taboo or provocative ideas
03 Who and how should we be examining life beyond earth and extraterrestrial intelligence
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Dr. Avi LoebFrank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science, Harvard UniversityAbraham (Avi) Loeb is the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University. He received a PhD in Physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel at age 24 (1980-1986), led the first international project supported by the Strategic Defense Initiative (1983-1988), and was subsequently a long-term member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (1988-1993). Loeb wrote 8 books and over 750 papers on a wide range of topics, including black holes, the first stars, the search for extraterrestrial life and the future of the Universe. He had been the longest serving Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011-2020), Founding Director of Harvard's Black Hold Initiative (2016-present) and Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation (2007-present) within the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He serves as Chair of the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Academies (2018-present) and is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Physical Society, and the International Academy of Astronautics. Loeb is a member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) at the White House and a member of the Advisory Board for "Einstein: Visualize the Impossible" of the Hebrew University. He also chairs the Advisory Committee for the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative (2016-present) and serves as the Science Theory Director for all Initiatives of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In 2012, TIME magazine selected Loeb as one of the 25 most influential people in space. Click here for Loeb's commentaries on innovation and diversity. |
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Heidi MesserCo-Founder and Chairperson, Collective[i]Heidi Messer currently serves as Co-Founder and Chairperson of Collective[i]™. Collective[i] (short for Collective Intelligence) hosts a network and AI/ML powered application that helps companies predict, manage, and grow revenue. Prior to Collective[i], Ms. Messer co-founded and served as President of LinkShare, host to one of the world’s largest online affiliate networks until its sale to Rakuten for USD $425m. She received her B.A. from Brown University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. |