Yuri Milner was pretty much destined to do something in science. Born in Moscow in November 1961, he was named after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who, about six months earlier, had become the first person to venture into outer space. Inspired by Carl Sagan and others, Milner majored in physics at Moscow State University. Then, in the middle of earning a Ph.D. in particle physics, he quit. Eventually, he started his own internet company and invested in other companies like Facebook, quickly amassing a fortune.
Since then, Milner has used his wealth to support science. He co-founded the Breakthrough Prize, which recognizes important advancements in physics, life sciences and math by awarding $3 million prizes in each category.
Milner spoke by phone with Discover contributing editor Steve Nadis days before the fifth annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony in December in Silicon Valley, where Milner now lives.
Q: Did you abandon a ...
