Pioneering Scientific Researcher J. Craig Venter to Speak on Campus

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University’s Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will welcome renowned genomic researcher J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., to campus on Nov. 13, 2013, as part of the college’s 2013–2014 Distinguished Speakers Series. The event will take place at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center located on NSU’s main campus, 3301 College Ave, Davie, FL.

Most well-known for his visionary contributions in sequencing the first draft of the human genome and the first complete human genome sequence, Venter has positively impacted human health and the treatment of disease. His work enables a better understanding of the environment and has the potential for creating new biological sources of food, fuel, vaccines, and clean water.

In 1984, on the National Institutes of Health campus, Venter developed Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), a revolutionary strategy for rapid gene discovery. In 1995, he and his team at The Institute for Genomic Research decoded the genome of the first free-living organism, the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae, using his new whole genome shotgun technique. Three years later, Venter founded Celera Genomics to sequence the human genome using new tools and techniques he and his team developed. This research culminated with the Feb. 2001 publication of the human genome in the journal Science. He and his team at Celera also sequenced the fruit fly, mouse, and rat genomes.

Venter is founder, chairman, and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-profit, research organization with approximately 300 scientists and staff dedicated to human, microbial, plant, synthetic, and environmental genomic research, and the exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics. Venter is also founder and CEO of Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), a privately held company dedicated to commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address global needs.

Venter is the author of more than 250 research articles, and the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, public honors, and scientific awards, including the 2008 United States National Medal of Science, the 2002 Gairdner Foundation International Award, the 2001 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, and the King Faisal International Award for Science. Venter is also the author of two books—his autobiography, A Life Decoded: My Genome, My Life, and Life at the Speed of Light, which outlines the history and advances in the field of synthetic biology.

As part of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ mission to prepare students for rich professional careers and active citizenship, the college frames co-curricular programs and experiences around a broad annual academic theme that unites our community in interdisciplinary exploration. The academic theme for the 2013-2014 school year is “Good and Evil.” Venter will speak on this theme.

Ticket Information

This Distinguished Speakers Series event is free to attend and opened to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at:

 

Office of the Dean

Mailman-Hollywood Building, Second Floor

Nova Southeastern University

3301 College Avenue

Davie, FL.

For more information on the Distinguished Speakers Series, contact the Office of the Dean at (954) 262-8236.

###

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with an enrollment of 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields.  NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  For more information visit www.nova.edu.

 

Media Contact:

Felecia Henderson | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office)
954-383-4695 (cell)
fhendsers@nova.edu

 

 

 

---

---