Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist and best-selling science author. His work focuses on big questions including the origin of the universe, the origin of life and the mysteries of time. Davies’ research interests have focused mainly on quantum gravity, early universe cosmology, the theory of quantum black holes and the nature of time. He has made important contributions to the field of astrobiology, and was an early advocate of the theory that life on Earth may have originated on Mars. He also ran a major cancer research project, and developed a new theory of cancer based on its deep evolutionary origins. Davies is the director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science and Regents Professor in the Department of Physics. He has published about 30 books and hundreds of research papers and review articles across a range of scientific fields. He also is a well-known media personality and science popularizer.
"During my career, opinion has shifted from life’s origin being a bizarre fluke unique in the universe (‘almost a miracle’ in the words of Francis Crick), to the belief that the universe is teeming with life (‘a cosmic imperative’ in the words of Christian de Duve)."