Richard A. Muller

Richard A. Muller
Name	Richard A. Muller
Birth date	06 January 1944
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Fields	Physics, Geophysics
Workplaces	University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Alma mater	Columbia University (B.S.), University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D.)
Doctoral advisor	Luis Walter Alvarez
Known for	Nemesis hypothesis, Berkeley Earth, Ice age cycle theory, Muller–Lyons experiment
Awards	MacArthur Fellowship (1982), Alan T. Waterman Award (1978)

Richard A. Muller. Richard A. Muller is an American physicist and professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is also a faculty senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A prolific researcher, he has made significant contributions across particle physics, geophysics, and climate science, often challenging prevailing scientific consensus. He is widely known for his public engagement through writing, media appearances, and founding the independent climate science organization Berkeley Earth.

Early life and education

Muller was born in New York City and developed an early interest in science. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. For his graduate work, he moved to the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his Ph.D. in physics under the supervision of Nobel laureate Luis Walter Alvarez. His doctoral research involved work with Alvarez's group, which was pioneering the use of particle detectors and bubble chambers in high-energy physics experiments.

Academic career

Upon completing his doctorate, Muller joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has remained for his entire academic career. He holds a professorship in the Department of Physics and is a key researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Throughout his tenure, he has taught a popular course on Physics for Future Presidents and has supervised numerous graduate students. His interdisciplinary approach has led him to collaborate with researchers in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science and other institutions, cementing his role as a versatile figure within the scientific community.

Research and scientific contributions

Muller's research portfolio is exceptionally broad. In astrophysics and geophysics, he co-proposed the controversial Nemesis hypothesis, suggesting a companion star to the Sun might cause periodic extinction events. He also advanced a theory linking ice age cycles to changes in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt, building on the work of Milutin Milanković. In experimental physics, he conducted the Muller–Lyons experiment, which provided early evidence for the parton model. More recently, he founded and led Berkeley Earth, a project that independently reanalyzed global temperature records and confirmed the reality of global warming and the significant role of carbon dioxide.

Public engagement and media

Muller is a prominent public intellectual who frequently communicates complex science to general audiences. He authored several books, including Physics for Future Presidents and The Instant Physicist. He has been a regular contributor to publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His work with Berkeley Earth garnered significant media attention, particularly after he publicly revised his earlier skeptical stance on climate change. Muller has also appeared on numerous television programs and documentaries, discussing topics from energy policy to asteroid impact avoidance.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his innovative research, Muller received the prestigious Alan T. Waterman Award from the National Science Foundation in 1978. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (often called the "Genius Grant") in 1982. His work has been recognized by invitations to speak at major forums, including testimony before the United States Congress. He is also a fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Personal life

Muller is married to environmental scientist and writer Elizabeth Muller. Together, they co-founded the organization Berkeley Earth. He has children from a previous marriage. An avid musician, he plays the piano and has integrated music into some of his public lectures. Muller maintains an active lifestyle and continues to write, research, and engage in public debates on science and policy from his base in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Category:American physicists Category:University of California, Berkeley faculty Category:MacArthur Fellows Category:1944 births Category:Living people