Steve Chu
Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Professor of Physics and Molecular and Cell Biology
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Previous to his current role, he held positions at Stanford University and AT&T Bell Laboratories. Professor Chu's research in atomic physics, quantum electronics, polymer and biophysics include tests of fundamental theories in physics, the development of methods to laser cool and trap atoms, atom interferometry, and the manipulation and study of polymers and biological systems at the single molecule level. At Stanford, as Theodore and Frances Geballe Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, he helped start Bio-X, a multi-disciplinary initiative that links physical and biological sciences with engineering and medicine. Chu has received numerous awards, and is the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics (1997). He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Academia Sinica, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Korean Academy of Science and Engineering. Chu also serves on the Boards of the Hewlett Foundation, the University of Rochester, and NVIDIA. He has served on advisory committees including the NAS Board on Physics and Astronomy, NIH Advisory Committee to the Director, and the NNSA Advisory Committee to the Director. Professor Chu received A.B. and B.S. degrees in mathematics and physics from the University of Rochester, a Ph.D. in physics from Berkeley, and a number of honorary degrees.