Sept. 14, 2015
Sean B. Carroll, internationally recognized evolutionary biologist, author, educator, and executive producer, will be the keynote speaker for the Department of Biology's annual graduate student research symposium on Friday, Sept. 18. His lecture titled "Endless Forms Most Beautiful? The Making and Unmaking of the Animal Kingdom" will explore how species progress and diversify.Carroll is currently the Allan Wilson Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin and leads the Department of Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.Carroll has received numerous accolades, including the Stephen Jay Gould Prize for the advancement of the public understanding of evolution from the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Distinguished Service Award of the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Award from the Society for Developmental Biology.Carroll is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for Advancement of Science. He has written six books and was a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award. Carroll has also produced several award-winning short films and documentaries.Frank Portugal, clinical associate professor and director of the M.S. in biotechnology program in the biology department says, "When I think about creativity, I often attach it to fields like music or art. But just as there is a whole spectrum of creativity in those fields from awful to sublime, so too is there a broad spectrum of creativity in science. Dr. Carroll epitomizes sublime creativity not only in science, but in the books he has written as well. When he speaks, I hope to better understand how his mind works and how I might perhaps apply what I learn to my own diligent efforts."The event is being held in the Edward J. Pryzbla University Center Great Room from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Carroll's lecture is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Individuals requesting accommodations for disabilities should contact Frank Portugal at portugal@cua.edu.