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SAS 2002 Dean's Forum:
Craig Venter

Each year the School of Arts and Sciences Dean's Forum presents leading intellectual figures who exemplify the liberal arts tradition. This year SAS presents Dr. J. Craig Venter, who will discuss Sequencing the Human Genome: The Gateway to a New Era in Science and Medicine, on Thursday, February 28, at 4:30 p.m., in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall.

Dr. J. Craig Venter has been instrumental in defining genomics research since before the field was recognized as a distinct discipline. As a section chief at the National Institutes of Health, he pioneered the use of large-scale sequencing projects to elucidate the range of genes expressed in cells and tissues. Capitalizing on such approaches and the potential for complete genome sequencing, he founded The Institute for Genome Research, and served as its president from 1992 until 1998. Dr. Venter then served as president and chief scientific officer of Celera Genomics, where he has continued to expand the potential of genomics technologies for addressing problems associated with human disease. Integrating novel engineering and computational approaches on a scale not previously employed in the life sciences, Dr. Venter single-handedly accelerated the timetable for completion of the Human Genome Project. Often controversial, Dr. Venter has proved to be a visionary, always challenging his audience to dream about what the future may hold.

Some of the previous Dean's Forum speakers included: Tom Wolfe, John Updike, Maxine Hong Kingston, Garry Wills, Arthur Schlesinger, Philip Roth, Toni Morrison, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Governors Pierre S. duPont of Delaware and Gerald Baliles of Virginia, Gerald Edelman, Baruch Blumberg, Susan Sontag and Arthur Miller.

During the Dean's Forum, several undergraduate and graduate students are honored as Dean's Scholars in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and intellectual promise.

The forum is free and open to the entire University community and the general public. For more information, please call the SAS Office of External Affairs at (215) 898-5262.


Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 22, February 12, 2002

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
February 12, 2002
Volume 48 Number 22
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

A new chair in gerontology for Dr. Naylor in Nursing.
A new chair in chemical engineering for Dr. Vohs.
The SAS Dean's Forum focuses on the Human Genome.
SEAS bridges the Digital Divide in Ghana with a grant from HP.
The Faculty Senate proposes a revision to procedures for the establishment, merger and closing of departments, divisions and similar entities.
The 2002 Models of Excellence Awards honor the contributions of staff achievements in a variety of settings across campus.
HR unveils a new Health and Wellness program for faculty and staff.
Time to plan for summer: Penn Camps for Children range from anthropology to volleyball.