Darwin's On the Origin of Species documented the evidence available in 1859 that demonstrated that evolution was a scientific fact and offered a plausible mechanism by which it operated: natural selection. For Darwin, natural selection acted to create adaptations. Darwin wrote:

"Slow though the process of selection may be, if feeble man can do much by his powers of artificial selection, I can see no limit to the amount of change, to the beauty and infinite complexity of the coadaptations between all organic beings, one with another and with their physical conditions of life, which may be effected in the long course of time by nature's power of selection. "

Vast amounts of time and natural selection yield "infinite complexity." Darwinian natural selection is still the mechanism we use to explain organismal adaptation, but the intervening 148 years since the publication of the Origin have led to many new discoveries that help us document the precise molecular events that underlie those adaptations. Chief among these is the sequence of an organism's DNA, which tells not only how to build the organism, but also contains its evolutionary history as well.

This year's speaker, Dr. Sean Carroll, will discuss examples as diverse as Antarctic ice fish and rock pocket mice that help us understand the link between mutations and adaptations, and help us see the fingerprints of natural selection in the genes of every living thing.

Public Lecture
Dr. Sean Carroll, Dept. of Genetics and Molecular Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the ultimate forensic record of evoltuion."

The abstract of Dr. Carroll's talk can be found here. A review of Dr. Carroll's book can be found here.

** NEW **
View Dr. Carroll's Darwin Day Lecture online!

Q&A Discussion
Immediately following Dr. Carroll's talk.

Reception
In honor of Dr. Carroll.

Film Screening
Presented in conjunction with the Carnegie Science Center:

"Flock of Dodos: The evolution-intelligent design circus"

(See below for more details.)

In conjunction with the Carnegie Science Center, we are happy to host the film, "Flock of Dodos: The evolution-intelligent design circus."


Flock of Dodos humorously documents the recent controversies over the teaching of intelligent design creationism in Kansas and Pennsylvania public schools through interviews with scientists, teachers, parents, and even the filmmaker’s mom. Flock of Dodos is not your average documentary and not to be missed!

Duquesne University
Darwin Day Special Presentation

This screening is FREE!!

Carnegie Science Center,
North Shore, Pittsburgh

The cost is $7 for the film only, or $5 with a laser show or Omnimax Theater ticket.

In conjunction with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Sections of Mammals and Birds, and theYale Peabody Museum of Natural History, Section of Vertebrate Zoology , we have assembled a collection of preserved animals that are discussed in Dr. Carroll’s book.

On display are examples of rock pocket mice, a blind mole rat, European Kestrel, European vole, and Antarctic Icefish. Learn about how natural selection has acted on the genes of these animals to help them live in their demanding environments where survival is a daily challenge

The Specimen Display will remain open February through April in the Northwest Display Case, 2nd Floor, Mellon Hall, Duquesne University.

Duquesne University, Department of Biological Sciences,
Duquesne University, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences,
Duquesne University, Center for Biotechnology,
Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society,
The Carnegie Science Center,
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, (Mammals and Birds),
The Yale University Peabody Museum of Natural History, (Vertebrate Zoology),
The Wintermeyer Fund

For more information contact Dr. David Lampe (412-396-6322)
Directions to Duquesne University
Campus Map with parking noted
Parking is available in the Forbes Ave. Garage.