Catherine Ann Asaro (born November 6, 1955) is an American

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

author, singer and teacher. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire.

Biography

Catherine Asaro was born on November 6, 1955, in

Oakland, California Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is the county seat and most populous city in Alameda County, California, Alameda County, with a population of 440,646 in 2020. A major We ...

, and grew up in El Cerrito, California. She attended Kennedy High School in Richmond, California, as part of the Richmond Voluntary Integration Plan. She has a B.S. with highest honors in chemistry from

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...

, and both a master's in physics and a PhD in chemical physics from

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

. When not writing and making appearances at conventions and signings, Asaro teaches math, physics, and chemistry. She was director of the Chesapeake Math Program and has coached various nationally ranked teams with home, private, and public school students, in particular the Chesapeake teams for national tournaments such as the Princeton and Harvard-MIT competitions. She also taught a gifted program in math and science at the Yang Academy in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her students have placed at the top levels in numerous national competitions, including the

United States of America Mathematical Olympiad The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is a highly selective high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the American Mathematics Compe ...

(USAMO) and the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS).Big Think interview
/ref> Asaro is a member of SIGMA, a think tank of speculative writers that advises the government as to future trends affecting national security. She is also known for her advocacy of bringing girls and women into

STEM fields Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the distinct but related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The term is typically used in the context o ...

and for increased diversity, and for challenging gender roles and literary expectations in her fiction. She has been an invited speaker or visiting professor for various institutions, including the

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the ...

Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher lear ...

Georgetown University Georgetown University is a private university, private Jesuit research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded by Bishop John Carroll (archbishop of Baltimore), John Carroll in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic higher education, Ca ...

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

, The American Association for the Advancement of Science ( AAAS), The Global Competitiveness Forum in Saudi Arabia, the New Zealand National ConText Writer's program, the University of Maryland, the US Naval Academy, and many other institutions. A former ballet and jazz dancer, Catherine Asaro has performed with dance companies and in musicals on both coasts and in Ohio. She founded and served as artistic director and a principal dancer for two dance groups at Harvard: The Mainly Jazz Dance Company and the Harvard University Ballet. After she graduated, her undergraduate students took over Mainly Jazz and made it into a club at the college. She has completed two terms as president of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) (2003–2005) and during her tenure established the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Family

Her husband was John Kendall Cannizzo (1957–2018), an astrophysicist at

. They have one daughter, a ballet dancer who studied mathematics at the

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

and UC Berkeley. Catherine Asaro is the daughter of Frank Asaro, the nuclear chemist who discovered the iridium anomaly that led the team of Luis Alvarez, Walter Alvarez, Frank Asaro, and Helen Michel to postulate that an asteroid collided with the Earth 66 million years ago and caused mass extinctions, including the demise of the dinosaurs.

Saga of the Skolian Empire series

The Saga of the Skolian Empire, informally called the Skolian Saga, is a series of science fiction novels, novelettes and novellas revolving around characters from an interstellar empire known as the Skolian Empire and their power struggle with the rival Eubian Concord. The arc of the books unfolds over several generations of characters and revolves around political intrigues, but also contains subplots regarding romance,

physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

, bio-enhancements, and virtual computer networks.

Mathematical fiction and hard science fiction

Asaro is known as a

hard science fiction Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by concern for scientific accuracy and logic. The term was first used in print in 1957 by P. Schuyler Miller in a review of John W. Campbell's ''Islands of Space'' in the Novemb ...

writer for the scientific depth of her work. The amount of science varies from book to book, with novels such as '' Primary Inversion'', '' The Radiant Seas'', and '' Spherical Harmonic'' on the most scientifically dense end of the spectrum, including elements such as equations and diagrams of quantum mechanical wave functions and Klein bottles. Stanley Schmidt, the long time editor of '' Analog'' magazine, wrote that '' Primary Inversion'' is "an impressive first novel; not just a good story, but the kind of speculation we too seldom see – really new science that just might be possible." Asaro is noted as one of the few female science fiction writers who also has a doctorate in hard science, in Asaro's case a PhD from Harvard in theoretical Chemical Physics. Asaro is also noted for including sophisticated mathematical concepts in her fiction. The method of space travel used in the Skolian Empire books comes from a paper Asaro wrote on complex variables and special relativity that appeared in the ''

American Journal of Physics The ''American Journal of Physics'' is a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics. The editor-in-chief is Beth Parks of Colgate University."Current ...

''. The novel '' Spherical Harmonic'' involves an imagined universe based on the

Hilbert space In mathematics, a Hilbert space is a real number, real or complex number, complex inner product space that is also a complete metric space with respect to the metric induced by the inner product. It generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. The ...

described by the spherical harmonic

eigenfunction In mathematics, an eigenfunction of a linear operator ''D'' defined on some function space is any non-zero function f in that space that, when acted upon by ''D'', is only multiplied by some scaling factor called an eigenvalue. As an equation, th ...

s that solve the Laplace Equation, and some prose in the book is written in the shape of the

sinusoidal A sine wave, sinusoidal wave, or sinusoid (symbol: ∿) is a periodic wave whose waveform (shape) is the trigonometric sine function. In mechanics, as a linear motion over time, this is '' simple harmonic motion''; as rotation, it correspond ...

waves found in the spherical harmonics. Her novel '' The Quantum Rose'' is an allegory to

quantum In physics, a quantum (: quanta) is the minimum amount of any physical entity (physical property) involved in an interaction. The fundamental notion that a property can be "quantized" is referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization". This me ...

scattering theory In physics, scattering is a wide range of physical processes where moving particles or radiation of some form, such as light or sound, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by localized non-uniformities (including particles and radiat ...

and is dedicated to her doctoral advisors and mentors in the subject, Alex Dalgarno, Kate Kirby, and Eric J. Heller. The novella "Aurora in Four Voices" includes topics ranging from

Fourier series A Fourier series () is an Series expansion, expansion of a periodic function into a sum of trigonometric functions. The Fourier series is an example of a trigonometric series. By expressing a function as a sum of sines and cosines, many problems ...

to integration problems in

calculus Calculus is the mathematics, mathematical study of continuous change, in the same way that geometry is the study of shape, and algebra is the study of generalizations of arithmetic operations. Originally called infinitesimal calculus or "the ...

. In essays in the back of some of her novels, Asaro explains the mathematical and physics basis of the ideas used in the books, in particular ''Spherical Harmonic,'' ''The Quantum Rose,'' and ''The Moon's Shadow.'' In the anthology ''Aurora in Four Voices'' (which includes the novella of the same name), Asaro describes the mathematical basis of several stories in the anthology, including the use of Fourier transforms, Riemann sheets, and complex numbers in "The SpaceTime Pool."

Musical collaborations

The Diamond Star Project

The Diamond Star Project is a

collaboration Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. The ...

between Catherine Asaro and the rock musicians Point Valid. The project resulted in a CD, ''Diamond Star'' (Starflight Music, April 2009), which is a "soundtrack" for the book, ''Diamond Star'' ( Baen Books). The novel tells the story of Del-Kurj, a Ruby Dynasty prince who would rather be a rock singer than sit on the throne. The lyrics to the songs appear in the novel ''Diamond Star'' and were the inspiration for the CD. PointValidWithCatherineAsaro2008

Point Valid is an alternative band originating in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the List of United States ...

, with Hayim Ani on vocals and guitar, Adam Leve on drums and Max Vidaver on guitar. Ani wrote most of the music for the CD, and Asaro wrote most of the lyrics, as well as music for three songs. Ani also contributed three original compositions, both music and lyrics. Most of the vocals are by Ani, with a few by Asaro. The CD has twelve songs, eleven originals and a cover of " Sound of Silence". Asaro, who did not know how to sing, took voice lessons in preparation for the recordings, and continues to train and perform. Asaro has described how the collaboration inspired her work, as exemplified by the song "Emeralds", which she was not able to finish until she and Ani were in the studio recording his vocals. During 2009, the Diamond Star Project expanded to include Donald Wolcott, a jazz pianist who accompanied Asaro in concerts. In 2010, Starflight Music released the EP ''Goodbye Note'' by Asaro and Wolcott, which includes the song "No Answers with in Paradisum" from the ''Diamond Star'' soundtrack, rewritten and sung by Asaro. In 2010, Marty Pell joined the Diamond Star Project as an additional pianist, and in 2011, Greg Adams replaced Wolcott as Asaro's primary accompanist.

Arlan Andrews

In 2018, Asaro teamed up with author and songwriter Arlan Andrews to do the Celtic rock song "Ancient Ages".

Bibliography

Awards

* ''Primary Inversion'', nominee,

Locus Award The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine '' Locus'', a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. Originally a poll ...

, first novel, 1996 * ''Primary Inversion'', finalist, Compton Crook Award 1996 * ''Catch the Lightning'', winner, Sapphire Award, best novel, 1997 * ''Catch the Lightning'', winner, UTC Readers Choice Award, best novel, 1997 * ''Catch the Lightning'', finalist, Audies, Science Fiction, 2003 * '' The Last Hawk'', nominee,

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), a nonprofit association of pr ...

, Best Novel, 1999 * ''The Radiant Seas'', winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 1999 * ''The Radiant Seas'', nominee, HOMer Award, Best Novel 2000 * "Aurora in Four Voices", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 1999 * "Aurora in Four Voices", nominee,

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by th ...

, best novella, 1999 * "Aurora in Four Voices", nominee,

, best novella, 1999 * "Aurora in Four Voices", winner, HOMer Award, best novella, 1999 * "Aurora in Four Voices", winner Sapphire Award, best novella, 2000 * "Aurora in Four Voices", nominee, Seiun Awards, overseas short fiction, 2000 * "Aurora in Four Voices", Sixth Place,

, novella, 1999 * ''The Veiled Web'', winner, HOMer Award, best novel, 2000 * ''The Veiled Web'', winner, Prism Award, best novel, 2000 * ''The Veiled Web'', winner, National Reader's Choice Award, 2000 * ''The Veiled Web'', Second Place, Sapphire Award, 2001 * ''The Quantum Rose'', winner,

for Best Novel 2001 * ''The Quantum Rose,'' winner, Affaire de Coeur Award, Best Science Fiction (2001) * ''The Quantum Rose'', Third place, Sapphire Award, Best Novel 2000 * ''The Quantum Rose'', nominee, Audies, Novel 2005 * "A Roll of the Dice", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2001 * "A Roll of the Dice", winner, HOMer Award, 2001 * "A Roll of the Dice", nominee,

, best novella, 2001 * "A Roll of the Dice", nominee,

, best novella, 2001 * "A Roll of the Dice", Second Place tie, Sapphire Award, best novella, 2001 * ''Spherical Harmonic'', winner, Affaire de Coeur Reader/Writer Poll for Best Futuristic, 2002 * "Ave de Paso", Eleventh Place,

, novella, 2002 * "Ave de Paso", nominee, Sapphire Award, Short Fiction, 2002 * "Soul of Light", nominee, short fiction, Gaylactic Spectrum Awards, 2002 * ''Ascendant Sun'', winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 2003 * ''Skyfall'', winner, RT Book Club Reviewer's Choice Award, Best Science Fiction Novel 2003 * ''Skyfall'', finalist, Rita Award, Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal, 2004 * ''Skyfall'', Third Place, Sapphire Award, Best Novel, 2004 * "Moonglow," winner, RRA Award, Best Novella, 2004 * "Moonglow," winner, Sapphire Award, Best Novella, 2004 * "Walk in Silence", winner, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2004 * "Walk in Silence", winner, Prism Award, best novella, 2004 * "Walk in Silence", nominee,

, best novella, 2004 * "Walk in Silence", nominee,

, best novella, 2004 * Outstanding Achievement Award, WRW, Washington D.C., 2005 * "Stained Glass Heart", nominee, Sapphire Award, Best Novella, 2005 * "The City of Cries", winner, Prism Award, Best Novella, 2006 * "The City of Cries", winner, Prism Award, The Best of the Best, 2006 * "The City of Cries", winner, Book Buyers Best, novella, 2006 * "The City of Cries", Second Place, Sapphire Award, Best Novella, 2006 * "The Misted Cliffs,", finalist, Rita Award, Paranormal, 2006 * "The Spacetime Pool," winner,

for Best Novella 2008 * "The Spacetime Pool," second place, AnLab (Analog Reader's Poll), 2008 * ''Sunrise Alley'', finalist, Audies, Science Fiction, 2009 * "Deep Snows," Nominee, Best R&B Music Video, World Music and Independent Film Festival, 2012 * "The Pyre of New Day," nominee,

, best novelette, 2012 * The Wallace S. North, Jr., PE Award for Contributions to the Maryland State Mathcounts Program, 2017 * "Ancient Ages," The Blast-FM top 100, radio selection, 2020