Stanford Report, October 4, 2006

Top biologists to speak at evolution symposium

"Evolution! Molecules to Man" is the topic of the annual Beckman Symposium on Oct. 9, featuring seven talks by evolutionary biologists from around the country. The daylong event, held in Fairchild Auditorium, will begin at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast.

Lucy Shapiro, PhD, professor of developmental biology and the director of the Beckman Center for Molecular & Genetic Medicine, will launch the symposium with opening remarks at 8:45.

The symposium will end with a presentation by David Kingsley, PhD, professor of developmental biology, about “Fishing for the secrets of vertebrate evolution.” Science named Kingsley’s research on stickleback fish as one of its “Breakthroughs of the Year” in 2005.

A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will follow in the Fairchild Auditorium lobby. The symposium is open to the public and free of charge. Additional information about the program can be found at http://beckman.stanford.edu/schedule.html.