Davidson Lecture, Biology Awards Night Set For April 20

by LoAna Lopez

Baylor University's biology department will host the 13th annual Biology Awards Night and the Floyd and Lorene Davidson Lecture at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 20 in Room 126 of Sid Richardson Science Building.
This year's lecturer, Dr. David Hillis, will be returning to his alma mater. Hillis is currently a professor of integrative biology in the biological science department at the University of Texas. He is a 1980 Baylor biology graduate and son of Dr. Bill Hillis, professor of biology at Baylor. Hillis will speak on "Phylogeny and Attempted Murder."
Although Hillis is interested in a diversity of organisms, most of his research involves amphibians, reptiles, fishes, mollusks and viruses. His research focuses on the use of molecular genetics techniques to study relationships among population species. Some of his general areas of interest are phylogenetic relationships, speciation patterns and mechanisms, molecular evolution (including the use of experimental systems), and the consequences of hybridization and hybrid zones.
Hillis is listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in Science and Who's Who in American Education. He is an Outstanding Young Alumnus of Baylor and a recipient of the 1999 McArthur Fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards given to U.S. scientists.
Prior to the lecture, the department will recognize students who have received honors, scholarships and research awards in biology.
The lecture, which was endowed in 1989 by the Davidsons, is open to the public. Family and friends of those receiving recognition also are invited to attend the evening's events.
For more information, contact the department of biology at 710-2911.