Chris Adami received a B.A.in Physics (1982) and a Diplom in theoretical Physics (1988) from the University of Bonn (Germany), as well as an M.A. in Physics (1988) and a Ph.D. in theoretical Physics (1991) from SUNY Stony Brook. He is currently Faculty Associate and Director of the Digital Life Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, and Principal Scientist in the Quantum Technologies Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. At Caltech, he studies fundamental processes in evolution, in particular the molecular mechanisms responsible for the emergence and rise of complexity, as well as the dynamics of viral evolution. Besides studying the principles governing the dynamics of evolving systems, Dr. Adami still engages in research concerning quantum information theory, quantum computation, and the foundations of quantum theory. He is also working on the application of information-theoretic methods to molecular evolution and sequence data, to improve the design of anti-viral drugs. He is the author of the textbook "Introduction to Artificial Life," and has taught Artificial Life at Caltech for the last seven years. His background is in theoretical nuclear, high-energy, and computational physics.