The American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting Feb. 12-16 in Chicago again will bring top scientists, technologists and engineers together from around the country to the world’s largest general science conference. This year’s topic, “Our Planet and its Life: Origins and Future,” reflects two important anniversaries in the study of evolution. This year marks the 200th anniversary of evolution pioneer Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.”
Several Michigan State University faculty members will present papers and discuss issues including food safety, sustainable agriculture, climate change and scientific literacy at the organization’s 175th annual meeting. Typical attendance at the event exceeds 10,000 participants and hundreds of science and general news media representatives from around the world.
Former U.S. vice president, Nobel Peace Prize winner, author and climate change activist Al Gore will address the gathering Feb. 13, making his third appearance at the AAAS annual meetings.
The MSU College of Natural Science also will take the opportunity to host an alumni reception Friday, Feb. 13. Wolfgang Bauer, University Distinguished Professor and chairperson of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will discuss the $550 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams awarded in December to MSU by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publishes the journal Science. It was founded in Philadelphia in 1848.
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