Charles H. Townes (PhD, Nobel)

Dr. Townes was a Christian, Columbia University professor, and Nobel Prize (1964) winning physicist for inventing the maser, a device that produces coherent electromagnetic waves, originally microwaves. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Townes also directed the US government's Advisory Committee for the Apollo lunar landing program. After winning the Templeton Prize during 2005 he wrote: "Science tries to understand what our universe is like and how it works, including us humans. Religion is aimed at understanding the purpose and meaning of our universe, including our own lives. If the universe has a purpose or meaning, this must be reflected in its structure and functioning, and hence in science."