Please save the date for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Signature Theme Workshop on Biological Structures and Systems.
Date: October 19th Location: Reiman Ballroom, Alumni Center
Keynote Speakers
Joseph W. Thornton is a professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. Thornton is a world leader in studying the molecular mechanisms of evolution. His laboratory has played a key role in establishing a ‘functional synthesis’ of molecular and evolutionary biology and has pioneered ancient protein reconstruction as a strategy for experimentally dissecting the mechanisms of historical evolution. His work has focused primarily on the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors, a model system for molecular evolution that he began to develop as a graduate student and postdoc at the American Museum of Natural History and Columbia University. Before that, he was research coordinator for Greenpeace’s campaigns on toxic chemicals and studied English literature as an undergraduate. He has received numerous awards, including the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award, the Hans Falk Award from the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Janet Iwasa is a research assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah. Iwasa has pioneered the use of 3D animation to bring molecular processes to life. Her work provides compelling insight into the complex and intricate world of the molecular machines that inhabit our cells and creates a unique framework for developing novel research hypotheses. The animations and illustrations are also instrumental in promoting broad scientific communication between scientists and the public. Janet is a TED Fellow, winner of the FASEB BioArt competition in 2014, and has been named to the ‘100 Most Creative People’ list by Fast Company Magazine in 2012 and a Leading Global Thinker of 2014 by Foreign Policy Magazine. Dr. Iwasa’s career began with a double major in Biology and Asian Studies at Williams College followed by a PhD in Cell Biology at UCSF and Postdoctoral work with Jack Szostak at Harvard Medical School. During her postdoctoral training period, Janet’s work was displayed in a multimedia exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. You can visit onemicron.com today to enjoy Janet’s impressive portfolio.
More details to come.