Father of "the Pill" Carl Djerassi to Give Public Lecture

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
09/12/02

Carl Djerassi, professor of chemistry with Stanford University will present a public lecture dealing with the human side of science and the desire for personal recognition. The lecture titled "Nobel Science & Nobel Lust: Disclosing Tribal Secrets," will take place Wednesday, Sept. 18 in the West Valley High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Djerassi has authored more than 1,200 scientific publications and seven monographs and received the National Medal of Science in 1973 for the first synthesis of, "the Pill," a steroid oral contraceptive. He was also awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991 for promoting new approaches to insect control.

During the past decade he has written five novels, all of them illustrating the human side of science and the personal conflicts faced by scientists. He has also written a trilogy of plays with an emphasis on contemporary cutting-edge research in the biomedical sciences.

The lecture is sponsored by the UA Foundation.

Contact: Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778 or Dr. Larry Duffy, UAF Chemistry Department at (907) 474-7525 for more information.