VCU Marks Darwin Anniversary with Talks from Prominent Evolutionary Biologists

By Anne Buckley

Virginia Commonwealth University is marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his landmark work, “The Origin of Species,” with two public lectures.

Francisco Ayala, Ph.D., a prominent evolutionary biologist from the University of California-Irvine, will give his talk, “Darwin’s gift to science and religion,” on March 16, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Olivia Judson, Ph.D., from Imperial College, London, will give her talk, “Glad to have evolved,” on Monday, March 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both events are at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., and are free and open to the public.

Ayala’s contributions to science have been recognized in many ways, including his membership in the National Academy of Sciences for nearly 20 years, and the National Medal of Science awarded to him in 2002 by President George Bush.

Ayala will be at VCU for two days, lecturing in classes, meeting with students and faculty. His visit was made possible by the Graduate Organization of Biology Students at VCU, the Life Sciences and Religion Community Forum and the Science Museum of Virginia and its Funsten Endowment. 

Judson has written widely on science and medicine for The New York Times and The Economist and has written a popular book on the evolution of sexual behavior written in the format of an advice column. Her appearance is part of the “Public Science, Popular Science” series produced by the Science, Technology and Society Initiative of the VCU College of Humanities & Sciences.

“We are extremely pleased to offer the community a chance to hear Dr. Ayala,” said Brian Cassel, Ph.D., director, VCU Life Sciences and Religion Initiative. “A former Dominican priest and one of the leading researchers in evolution working today, he offers a unique and positive perspective on what Darwin and evolution mean, not only for science, but also for faith. He promotes dialogue between science and religion while helping to clarify the crucial distinction between facts and beliefs.” 

“Dr. Judson's creative and path-breaking approach to science popularization epitomizes the kind of dialogue between scientists and the community that the STS Initiative is trying to promote,” said Karen Rader, Ph.D., associate professor of history at VCU and director of the Science, Technology and Society Initiative. “With humor and sophistication, Judson re-invents the genre of science popularization – asking us to begin a genuine dialogue about the key issues in evolutionary biology that affect our lives.”

For more information contact Brian Cassel at 804-628-1926.