Science and Medicine Writer Jessica Wapner to Speak on Campus

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla – Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will welcome writer Jessica Wapner on Nov. 6 to Nova Southeastern University as part of the college’s 2014–2015 Distinguished Speakers Series.  The event takes place on NSU’s campus from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.

Writer Jessica Wapner

Wapner is a freelance writer focused on healthcare, medicine, and cancer research. Her work is published in The New York Times, Scientific American, Slate, Science, Nature Medicine, Ode, Psychology Today, Oncology Business Review, Cure, and CR. Wapner also maintains a blog called Work in Progress: Exploring the Ethics and Economics of Drug Development, hosted by the Public Library of Science network.

She previously served as founding managing editor of two review journals (Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology and Gastroenterology & Hepatology) and was editor of Oncology Spectrum.

Her book The Philadelphia Chromosome: A Mutant Gene and the Quest to Cure Cancer at the Genetic Level (2013) is the focus of the college’s fall 2014 Honors Reading Seminar and this talk.

Wapner says her passion for writing stems from two loves: of writing itself, and of shining a light where a light is needed, whether to demystify or to draw attention. She is inspired to unravel the unnecessarily complex world of healthcare.

As part of the college mission to prepare students for rich professional careers and active citizenship, the college frames co-curricular programs and experiences around a broad annual theme that unites our community in interdisciplinary exploration. The academic theme for the 2014-2015 school year is “Identity.” Wapner will speak on this theme.

Ticket Information
This Distinguished Speakers Series event is free to attend, but tickets are required. On Monday, November 3, tickets become available to the general public. Pick up your tickets on NSU’s main campus in the college’s Office of the Dean, located in the Mailman-Hollywood Building, second floor. Limit two tickets per person.

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

About the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences: Set among Nova Southeastern University’s 18 academic centers is the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. Choose from 36 undergraduate majors, 53 undergraduate minors, 3 certificate programs, and 2 graduate degree programs. Customize delivery formats with day, night, or online classes. The academic experience at the college is profound and inspiring. Our smaller class sizes offer you personalized contact with professors, chances for active participation, and individualized support-all to help you achieve academic success. Our outstanding faculty is composed of accomplished scholars committed to academic excellence. Unlike those at many large universities, classes at the college are taught by the faculty members themselves, not teaching assistants. The average class size is 22 students, which means more personal attention from faculty, as well as a greater opportunity to connect with other bright students.

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 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, please visit www.nova.edu.  Celebrating 50 years of academic excellence!

Media Contact: 
Julie Spechler | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5348 (office) | 954-591-3361(cell)
julies@nova.edu