Professor Thorne’s scientific contributions span the full range of topics in general relativity including means to test general relativity against rival theories of gravity, applications of relativity to stellar structure and evolution, black holes and gravity waves. Among a handful of physicists, Professor Thorne is considered one of the world’s authorities on gravitational waves. In part, his work has dealt with the prediction of gravity-wave strengths and their temporal signatures as observed on the Earth. These “signatures” are of great relevance to LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory), a multi-institution gravity wave experiment for which Thorne has been a leading proponent.

Thorne’s contributions to gravity wave research extend to his seminal work in the area of quantum nondemolition (QND) measurements and well beyond the concerns of gravity wave detectors. Today, QND measurements are discussed in the context of atomic clocks.

The California Science Center established the California Scientist of the Year Award in recognition of the prominent role California plays in the areas of scientific and technological development. A blue-ribbon panel selects a nominee whose work is current and advances the boundaries of any field of science. Of those selected, eleven have earned the California Scientist of the Year honors before becoming Nobel Laureates.