Physicist and author Dr. James S. Trefil is known for his writing and his interest in teaching science to nonscientists. He is a Fellow of the APS and a former Guggenheim Fellow. His numerous books and articles include works written for general audiences. He co-authored The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (3rd ed., 2002) and in 1992 published The Facts of Life (Harold Morowitz, co-author). Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy, was co-authored with Robert Hazen in 1991, and in 1995 they published The Sciences: An Integrated Approach. Other publications by Trefil include: A Scientist in the City (1994), Are We Unique: A Scientist Explores the Complexity of the Human Brain (1997), annd Other Worlds: The Solar System and Beyond in 1999. He was the general editor of The Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (2002) and co-author of Good Seeing: a Scientific History of the Carnegie Institution. His most recent book is Human Nature: Managing the Planet by and for Humans (2004). He is a regular contributor to Smithsonian Magazine and was previously University Professor and Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia. In 2000 American Institute of Physics chose him to receive the Andrew W. Gemant Award, presented for outstanding and sustained contributions in bridging the gap between science and society. During 2003-2004, he was a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar. Dr. Trefil is a George Mason University Robinson Professor, and in 2021 celebrated 50 years of servive to the university.