Science Writer, Gene Researcher Examine Health Issues During Isaac Symposium

"The Man-Made Flu Debate" is explained by one of the nation's most prominent and engaging science writers on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in Albion College's Norris Center Towsley Hall. Writer and policy analyst Laurie Garrett is the 2012 Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote speaker, capping the College's Isaac Student Research Symposium. The Symposium opens Wednesday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Towsley Hall, as Lawrence Schook, '72, gives the Isaac Alumni Lecture.



Garrett is the only writer ever to have been awarded all three of the Big "Ps" of journalism: The Peabody, The Polk, and The Pulitzer. She is currently the senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, reporting on disease pandemics and global health challenges related to international finance. She has particular expertise in newly emerging and re-emerging diseases, bioterrorism, and the intersection of public health, foreign policy, and national security. Garrett has written several books, including "The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World out of Balance." Garrett also chairs the scientific advisory panel to the United Nations Commission on HIV Prevention.


As vice president for research and senior research officer for the University of Illinois, Schook oversees an $800-million annual sponsored research portfolio covering the university's three campuses. Schook is also an active researcher, exploring comparative genomics and translational biomedical models. He currently directs the international Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium and has served as principal investigator for over $25-million in federally-funded research. Schook has launched two start-up companies focusing on molecular medicine and was a 1996 recipient of Albion College's Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Albion College's Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium honors alumnus "Ike" Isaac, '48, who served for 25 years at Albion as a coach, professor and athletic director. Isaac later taught and served as athletic director for the University of the Pacific. The Symposium was established in 1991 by hundreds of Isaac's former students and team members.

Original source here.