VCU to Host 13th Annual Darwin Day

By Sathya Achia Abraham

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Graduate Organization of Biology Students will host a celebration of the life of Charles Darwin, known to many as the father of evolutionary biology, during VCU’s 13th annual Darwin Day event this week.

The event will be held Friday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. in the Student Commons Commonwealth Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave.

This year’s speaker is Sean B. Carroll, Ph.D., an award-winning scientist, author and educator. He is the Allan Wilson professor of molecular biology, genetics and medical genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and vice president of science education for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Carroll’s research focus has been the development and evolution of animal form. His major laboratory discoveries have been featured in national media including Time, US News & World Report, The New York Times, Discover and Natural History.

Carroll’s talk is titled, “Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of Species.” It is the title of one of six books he has authored, and he also writes the monthly Remarkable Creatures column for the science section of the New York Times.

“Dr. Carroll is an incredible evolutionary biologist and science educator,” said event organizer Julie Charbonnier, president of the VCU Graduate Organization of Biology Students. “We are thrilled and honored he will be speaking to the VCU community to celebrate Charles Darwin’s legacy.”

The Graduate Organization of Biology Students provides graduate students with a forum to address needs and concerns in biology and also aims to integrate disciplines of biology through educational and recreational events with students and faculty.

The VCU Darwin Day event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the lecture.

For more information, contact Julie Charbonnier at charbonnierj@vcu.edu.