Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss, professor of physics and astronomy and chair of the Department of Physics at Case Western Reserve University, will speak Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Phillips Lecture Hall of the Hoyt Science Resources Center.

Krauss will speak on "Einstein's Biggest Blunder: A Cosmic Mystery Story."

"Einstein made adjustments to this theory of gravity because the predictions seemed to be at odds with the nature of the universe," said Dr. G. Samuel Lightner, professor and chair of physics at Westminster College.  "Later, when his original predictions proved true, he called this his biggest blunder.  Recent research shows he might have been right after all, and changes the way we look at the universe and its ultimate fate."

"Lawrence Krauss has Carl Sagan's knack of expanding the imagination and explaining the mysteries of the universe in simple terms," said noted physicist Stephen Hawking.

Krauss is the author of over 180 scientific publications, as well as numerous popular articles on physics and astronomy.  He is also the author of six popular books, including the national bestseller, The Physics of Star Trek, and his most recent book Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth&and Beyond.

Krauss has lectured to audiences in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Natural History in New York, and has appeared frequently on radio and television around the world.

 He has received numerous awards for his research, writing and lectures.  A short list of these awards include: the "Gravity Research Foundation First Prize Award," "Presidential Investigator Award," the "American Association for the Advancement of Science's 1999-2000 Award for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology," the "Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize," the "2001 Andrew Gemant Award, and the "American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award."

The Woods Memorial Lecture honors Dr. Robert M. Woods, professor of physics at Westminster College from 1947-1972.  It is made possible by a gift from the Woods' family that has been supplemented over the years by gifts from friends and alumni.

The lecture is free and open to the public.  For more information contact Lightner at (724) 946-7204 or e-mail lightner@westminster.edu.