Robert M. Hazen is the Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Science at George Mason University and Staff Scientist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington’s Geophysical Laboratory. Hazen developed a fascination for rocks and minerals as a child growing up in mineral-rich Northern New Jersey, and he pursued that interest as an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After receiving a doctorate in earth sciences from Harvard University, he spent a year at Cambridge University as a NATO Postdoctoral Fellow. In addition to teaching courses on scientific literacy, scientific ethics, symmetry in art and sciences, and visual thinking, he performs research on materials at high pressure. His current studies on the origin of life explore the hypothesis that life arose in a deep, high –pressure environment. Hazen is active in presenting science to the public. He developed a 60-lecture video version of this textbook, Great principles of Science, which is available nationally through The Teaching Company. He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NOVA and Today. His most recent popular book is The Diamond Makers, which recounts the discovery of a method to make synthetic diamonds. Robert Hazen is also a part-time professional trumpeter.