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Vol. 38, No. 18 |
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2-10-2006 Hamlin to give Distinguished LectureThe giraffe possesses the ability to tolerate great postural changes that, if present in pilots, would allow them to tolerate enormous accelerations. Bats perform ultrasonic echolocation to identify minute structural features and motions far in excess of the capabilities of even the most sophisticated echocardiography. And the guinea pig has circulation to its heart that would prevent most common heart attacks in humans. In general, humans can survive without these capabilities because we're so smart. But what if some of these properties could be transferred to humans? In his Distinguished Lecture at 4 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, Robert Hamlin, professor of veterinary biosciences and biomedical engineering, will explore further how properties of animals, if present in humans, would allow them to perform exceptional feats. The free, public lecture, titled "'Slightly' Modified, Giraffes Would Make Great Fighter Pilots, and Bats, Great Cardiologists É and Please Give Me a Heart That's Part Guinea Pig, Part Spider, Part Rat, and Part Goat É or It's Lucky We're So Smart!," will be followed by a reception. The University Distinguished Lecture Series was inaugurated in 1996 as one of the university's highest honors for a senior faculty member. The lectureship is awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, particularly - but not exclusively - in research, scholarship or creative activity. The President and Provost's Advisory Committee reviews nominations and recommends candidates to the president and the provost for final selection. The Office of Academic Affairs presents an award of $5,000 to the Distinguished Lecturer to designate for a purpose that promotes the academic goals of the lecturer's college and/or of the university. Hamlin has designated his award to support graduate studies in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences.
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