Prof. Didier Queloz

2019 Nobel Laureate for Physics and Founding Director of the Center for the Origin and Prevalence of Life at ETH Zurich/Switzerland

Prof. Queloz’ research is related to the search for Earth-like planets near low-mass stars and for extraterrestrial life, which he predicts humans will discover in the next 25 years.

Biography:

Prof. Didier Patrick Queloz is the Jacksonian Professor at the University of Cambridge and the Founding Director of the Center for the Origin and Prevalence of Life at ETH Zurich who was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize for Physics as being the first person, together with Prof. Michel Mayor, to find a planet orbiting a Sun-like star outside of our solar system. Until recently the solar system has provided us with the only basis for our knowledge of planets and life in the universe. In 1995 Professors Queloz and Mayor have dramatically changed this view with the discovery of the first giant planet outside the solar system. This seminal discovery and the development of new astronomical equipments and observational approaches has spawned a revolution in astronomy both in terms of new instrumentation and understanding of planet formation and evolution, and over more than two decades after this discovery thousands of extra-solar planets have become known. Professor Queloz’ most recent research is related to the search for Earth-like planets near low-mass stars and for extraterrestrial life, which he predicts humans will discover in the next 25 years.

Topic of keynote speech:

• The role of science in building a global agenda for peace

Schedule:

Monday, November 24, 2025:

14:00 Public keynote speech and dialogue at the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei

Further information and free seat reservation via phone +886-2-7749-1324 or email
friend29@ntnu.edu.tw