Dartmouth College Professor Marcelo Gleiser has received the 2019 Templeton Prize.
The prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to matters of spirituality. Past recipients include Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.
Gleiser is one of few scientists to receive the honor. He studies physics and astronomy, and is known for connecting the scientific world to spiritual and religious matters.
“Science emerged from asking questions that are much older than science,” he said “Questions like: where did everything come from, and what is life?"
The Templeton is valued at about $1.4 million, more than the Nobel Prize. Gleiser, originally from Brazil, is the first Latino to receive the award.
He has authored several books and is a frequent media contributor. He says he’s increasingly concerned with environmental issues and political divisiveness across the globe.
He hopes the recognition will allow him to reach wider audiences with a message of collective hope.
“We need a new unifying myth for humanity,” he said, “something that transcends all the tribal barriers and divisiveness. … We have a moral duty to protect life on this planet because as far as we know, we are alone.”