May 2006 Lecture Series: Evolution and Medicine

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the Office of Science Education (OSE), and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) are partnering to present a lecture series, Evolution and Medicine. NIH scientists and those from other major research institutions will present noon-time lectures on evolution as it applies to their area of scientific expertise. The program is open to all NIH employees and to the public.

May 3 - Evolution and Development

Rudolf Raff of Indiana University will talk about the evolution of body form, a process that requires both the evolution of genes and developmental plans from egg to adult.  

May 10 - Evolution and Education

Brian Alters, a teacher of teachers at McGill University, will talk about the influence of prior beliefs on how and what students learn.

May 24 - Evolution and Genomics

Eric Green of NHGRI will discuss the use of evolution to decode the human genome and unravel the mysteries of genome function.

May 31 - Evolution and Infectious Diseases

Robin Bush of the University of California, Irvine, will discuss the use of phylogenetics to determine how pathogens evolve in response to host immune systems.

All lectures take place in Building 45, Natcher Balcony B, from noon to 1 p.m. An informal discussion period will follow. Live webcasts will be available and archived at http://videocast.nih.gov/. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available upon request. If you require this or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact OSE at least 5 days prior to the event at (E-mail) moorec@mail.nih.gov, (Voice) 301-402-2470, or (TTY) 301-496-9706.