Nobel Prize-winning physicist Adam Riess visited UC Riverside on June 4 to deliver the latest installment of the Frontiers of Cosmology Lecture Series, offering a public exploration of one of the most profound mysteries in modern science: why the universe’s expansion is accelerating.
Hosted by the UCR Center for Experimental Cosmology & Instrumentation (CECI) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the lecture, titled “The Surprising Expansion History of the Universe,” drew nearly 500 faculty, students, researchers, and community members for an evening focused on the evolving understanding of the cosmos.
The event began with a reception, followed by opening remarks from UCR Provost Elizabeth Watkins. Additional remarks were provided by College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Dean Peter Atkinson. Bahram Mobasher, a distinguished professor of physics and astronomy, introduced Riess.
Riess, the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Thomas J. Barber Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, shared insights from the research that earned him a share of the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics. His work helped establish that the expansion of the universe is not slowing down, as many scientists once expected, but is instead speeding up.
During his presentation, Riess explained how his research team has continued to refine measurements of the universe’s expansion rate through observations of supernovae (exploding stars) and Cepheids (pulsating stars). He also discussed recent findings that challenge existing cosmological models and suggest that the universe may still hold unexpected surprises. The lecture concluded with a question-and-answer session.
“Professor Riess transformed our understanding of the cosmos through one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the modern era,” said Jonathan Richardson, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy who chaired the organizing committee for the lecture. “His visit provided our students, faculty, and community with a rare opportunity to hear directly from a scientist whose work continues to shape the future of astrophysics and cosmology.”
Riess earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992 and his doctorate from Harvard University in 1996. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he has received numerous honors, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Gruber Cosmology Prize, the Shaw Prize in Astronomy, and the Albert Einstein Medal.
The event marked the seventh installment of the quarterly Frontiers of Cosmology Lecture Series, which brings leading researchers from around the world to UC Riverside to discuss fundamental questions about the universe and the latest advances in cosmological science.
Let us help you with your search