Evolutionary biologist Sean Carroll to visit U of M for public lecture, honorary doctorate and commencement address

Contacts: Mark Cassutt, University News Service, (612) 624-8038, cassutt@umn.edu
Peggy Rinard, College of Biological Sciences, 612-624-0774,rinar001@umn.edu

Sean Carroll, noted speaker and author of several popular books on evolutionary biology, will visit the University of Minnesota May 15 and 16 to give a lecture, receive an honorary doctorate and deliver the commencement address for the College of Biological Sciences.

The public is invited to a lecture based on his latest book, “Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species,” which will be presented  at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Bell Museum of Natural History auditorium, 10 Church Street S.E., 
Minneapolis,. 

Carroll will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Minnesota as part of the program, which will be followed by a reception and book signing. Admission is free and reservations are not required; however, seating in the Bell auditorium is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Carroll will deliver the College of Biological Sciences commencement address on Saturday evening.

Carroll, a professor of molecular biology and genetics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is widely known for his research on genes that play key roles in the evolution of animal diversity. Discoveries from his laboratory have been featured in TIME, US News & World Report, The New York Times, Discover and Natural History.

His books include “The Making of the Fittest (2006),” “Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo, (2005)” and “Remarkable Creatures,” which was released in February, 2009.

Carroll is member of the National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a recipient of the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award. He was named one of America's most promising leaders under 40 by TIME Magazine in 1994.

“It’s a privilege and a treat to host Sean Carroll at the University of Minnesota,” said Robert Elde, Dean of the College of Biological Sciences. “He is one of the most creative and influential scientists of our time and a gifted communicator.”