Sapolsky to speak at Santa Clara next week
By Liz O'Brien
Whether the subjects of his studies are apes or humans, MacArthur "Genius" Fellow Robert Sapolsky values the study of behavioral science, and he's ready to impart some of his insights to a sold-out crowd in Mayer Theatre next Wednesday.
Expanding upon this year's theme of science and technology, the President's Speaker Series will welcome biology and neurology professor Sapolsky to Santa Clara on Jan. 16.
Sapolsky will present "The Biology of Our Individuality," a lecture on how to make sense of our behavior in the context of brains, genes and hormones.
As the second speaker of the 2007-2008 series, he will build on themes of the last lecturer, Jane Goodall, by examining behavioral biology.
"A lot of what we're doing this time, as far as science goes, is what makes people different from animals," said Margaret Avritt, marketing director for the Office of Marketing and Communications. "He is going to be talking about what part does nature play, what part does nurture play."
Sapolsky, known by colleagues for his humor, is currently a professor at Stanford University and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya.
He has also written several books, such as "A Primate's Memoir," which won the 2001 Bay Area Book Reviewers Award. Sapolsky will be available for a book signing following his lecture.
A seasoned professional in working with college students, Sapolsky said he plans to make the topic of behavioral biology approachable, especially for college students.
"I think I try to do it in two ways," he stated in an e-mail. "One is to make it personally relevant, and the other is to try to frame it in some sort of social, political or historical context."
Students will make up only 28.5 percent, or about 155 seats, of the 551 tickets that sold out yesterday.
Students still interested in seeing the lecture, which begins at 7:30 p.m., may reserve a ticket for the Recital Hall, which seats 250 and will offer a live, televised feed of the lecture. Tickets for Recital Hall seating are also selling out quickly, said Avritt.
Additionally, the event will be broadcast on the university's LINC channel, which is available to all on-campus residents.
An open question-and-answer event will precede the lecture at 4 p.m. in Daly Science 207. The question-and-answer session will only be open to the campus community, increasing room for students. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis.
"Sometimes the Q-and-A is the best part of some events. It's just very nice to be up close and have more of a conversation," said Avritt.
The final two speakers in this year's series will be biochemist Paul Berg on March 12 and journalist Michael S. Malone, a Santa Clara alumnus, on May 6.
Though each speaker brings with them personal and academic experience, Sapolsky hopes to reach a broad audience -- one that may not have his extensive scientific knowledge.
"I'm aiming it for people with little or no science background," he stated in an e-mail. "That's more challenging and interesting than talking to a bunch of people who already are convinced that science is worth knowing about."
Contact Liz O'Brien at (408) 554-4546 or eobrien@scu.edu.