Eric Chaisson, PhD.. Member, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Research Associate, Director's Office, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution; Associate, Harvard College Observatory. Cosmic Evolution Website. Author of Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature (2001); Epic of Evolution: Seven Ages of the Universe (2006); Astronomy Today (textbook, 7th ed., 2008), and numerous other books.

Eric Chaisson appeared on SftPublic's Contemporary Science Issues and Innovations program December 09, 2014 to discuss Cosmic Evolution, a field to which he has made many contributions. He explained the need for an interdisciplinary approach to the evolution of the cosmos, and the underlying unity of phenomena from sub-atomic particles to molecules, from the physical era to the biological era: galaxies, stars, planets, life, and society. A fascinating discussion from a great scientist, teacher and writer.

Eric Chaisson has published nearly 200 papers in professional journals and written a dozen books, several of which have won awards, such as the B.J. Bok Prize (Harvard) for astronomical discoveries, the Smith-Weld Prize (Harvard) for literary merit, and the Kistler Award for increasing understanding of subjects shaping the future of humanity. He has also won scholarly prizes from Phi Beta Kappa and the American Institute of Physics, a Certificate of Merit from NASA for work on the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as fellowships from the Sloan Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Chaisson's books