David Awschalom is a professor of physics, electrical, and computer engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Peter J. Clarke Director of the California NanoSystems Institute.  He is a pioneer in the field of semiconductor spintronics, exploring the quantum mechanical behavior of charges and spins in nanostructures and the foundations of solid-state quantum information processing. David is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Investigator Prize and David Turnbull Award (Materials Research Society), the International Magnetism Prize and Néel Medal (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics), the Oliver E. Buckley Prize (APS), the Europhysics Prize from the European Physical Society, and the Newcomb Cleveland Prize (AAAS).

About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

On January 14, 2011, Caltech hosted TEDxCaltech, an exciting one-day event to honor Richard Feynman, Nobel Laureate, Caltech physics professor, iconoclast, visionary, and all-around "curious character." Visit TEDxCaltech.com for more details.