WATERLOO - The founding executive director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics will give two public talks next week at the University of Waterloo about his newly published book on the prestigious think tank.

Howard Burton will give a lecture Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the festival room, South Campus Hall. Earlier that day, he will give a keynote presentation at the graduate student research conference at 1:30 p.m. in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre, room 1350. Both events will feature a book sale and signing.

In his book, First Principles: The Crazy Business of Doing Serious Science, Burton recalls how he was a new doctoral degree graduate from UW when Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO of Research In Motion, hired him to launch a top science research facility. The institute would study complex and fundamental problems of science.

"First Principles is part biography and part lively rumination of the world -- and the world of science in particular -- by the engaging physicist and former director of the Perimeter Institute," said May Yan, director of UW's retail services. "We are pleased to give people in the campus and local community two opportunities to meet him."

By the time Burton left the institute in 2007, he had appeared many times on CBC Radio and TV, CTV News and TVO, as well as on international media, including CNN International.

He has lectured widely to scientific, government and community groups around the world. Besides his scientific interests, he is passionate about music and literature. He was a director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and has been involved in many community initiatives. He currently lives in France.

Founded in 1999, the institute's research focuses on quantum information theory, foundations of quantum theory, super-string theory and quantum gravity. New research groups are being established in cosmology and particle physics. The institute shares the joy of scientific inquiry and discovery with students, teachers and the public through enrichment programs delivered from coast to coast.