Physicist Stephen W. Hawking's work with Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity and quantum theory has had a profound impact on the world of science. In his research, Hawking elaborates on Einstein's work; he reveals the implications that if the universe began with a big bang, it ends in black holes. His discoveries on black holes also show that these supposed vacuums actually emit energy, too, and eventually evaporate and disappear.

Born Jan. 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, Hawking wanted to pursue studies in mathematics at an early age. His academic career, however, took a turn toward physics in his formative college years at University College, Oxford.

Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a position formerly held by Sir Isaac Newton. He has 12 honorary degrees and has authored many publications, including three books. One of his most popular, A Brief History of Time, was a mainstay on The London Sunday Times best-seller list for four years, setting a Guinness Book record.

At age 21, while a student at Oxford, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. You can read about Hawking's experiences with ALS at his personal Web site.