Speaker Bio:

Francisco J. Ayala is the Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. He has been President and Chairman of the Board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Ayala’s scientific research focuses on population and evolutionary genetics. He examines related areas that include the origin of species, the genetic diversity of populations, the origin of malaria, the population structure of parasitic protozoa and the molecular clock of evolution. He frequently writes and speaks about the interface between religion and science and on ethics, epistemology, education and the philosophy of biology.

Born in Madrid, Spain, he has lived in the United States since 1961, and became a U.S. citizen in 1971. He is author of more than 950 publications and 30 books. In 2001 he was awarded the National Medal of Science and in 2010 he was awarded the Templeton Prize. His memberships include the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. In addition, his foreign memberships include the Russian Academy of Sciences; the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome; the Royal Academy of Sciences, Spain; the Mexican Academy of Sciences; and the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences.

* Light refreshments will be served. Parking available in the Student Center Visitor Lot.