22 July 2013
World-leading scientist and microbiologist Dr Elizabeth Blackburn will discuss what the ‘bio-future’ holds for human health when she delivers the Annual Hawke Lecture for the University of South Australia’s Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre next month.
Dr Blackburn is Australia’s only female Nobel Laureate and has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world (Time, 2007) for research which revolutionised understanding of the key factors that attribute to ageing and human mortality.
Her research opened the door to new understanding about telomeres – the end of chromosomes – and discovery of telomerase – the replenishing enzyme that influences the human lifespan, challenging conventional thinking about the ageing process.
For the first time the Annual Hawke Lecture will be conducted in conversation format with the ABC Science Show’s Robyn Williams.
Dr Blackburn, who spent her childhood in Tasmania and studied in Melbourne, is currently the Morris Herzstein Endowed Chair in Biology and Physiology in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco.
Hawke Centre Executive Director Elizabeth Ho says Dr Blackburn will share the passion and insights that have driven her towards her celebrated scientific achievements.
“We’re delighted Dr Blackburn will present the 16th Annual Hawke Lecture,” Ms Ho says.
“I invite the community to attend this event and share in Dr Blackburn’s reflections on women and science as she describes discoveries that are transforming our understanding of human health.”
WHAT: Annual Hawke Lecture
WHO: Nobel Laureate Dr Elizabeth Blackburn
WHEN: Wednesday August 21, 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
WHERE: Adelaide Town Hall
MORE INFO: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
Media note: Dr Blackburn will be in Adelaide from Monday August 19 to Friday August 23.
Media contact: Kelly Stone office 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email Kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au
