Unraveling the Unknown - 21st Century Explorers

Unraveling the Unknown – 21^st Century Explorers

Lecture Series presented by the Natural History Museum of Utah

January 11, 2016 – The Natural History Museum of Utah announces Unraveling the Unknown – 21^st Century Explorers, the theme for this year’s annual scientific lecture series. Beginning February 10, 2016 and running through the end of March, five renowned adventurers will speak about their boundary-pushing discoveries and explorations stretching from the International Space Station to the darkest depths of the ocean floor.

Since its inception in 2007, this citywide lecture series, underwritten by the R. Harold Burton Foundation, has been bringing leading scientists, researchers and the community together to better understand and explore the vital relationships between humans and our natural world.

“The series supports knowledge and respect for nature and encourages personal exploration and stewardship of wild places at home —in space—and all over the planet,” states Ann Hannibal, Associate Director for Community and Government Relations at the Museum. “It also contributes to innovation and excellence in education across the state.”

This year, thanks to its many supporters and sponsors, the Natural History Museum of Utah is pleased to highlight five bold contemporary explorers whose work seeks to answer numerous scientific questions and transform the way the world thinks.

Hear from identical twin astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly in the lecture series opener. Join Mark at Kingsbury Hall (1395 Presidents Circle, SLC), February 10, 2016, 7pm as he talks about the NASA Twins Study, and see a virtual conversation with Scott from the International Space Station.

Visit jungles across the world through the eyes of University of Utah Biologist Phyllis Coley in the second lecture of the series. Learn more about Coley’s work and efforts to promote medicinal discoveries and conservation of rainforests, February 25, 2016, 7pm, at the Salt Lake City Public Library (210 East 400 South).

Life-saving medicines created from animal venoms save the lives of millions of people. Meet Dr. Zoltán Takács, the Toxinologist who risks his life collecting and analyzing animal venoms and follow him into remote corners of the world, March 7, 2016, at the Viridian Event Center (8030 South 1825 West, South Jordan) and March 8, 2016, at the Natural History Museum of Utah (301 Wakara Way, SLC).

Gain insight into amazing new technologies and discoveries taking place underwater with world-renown oceanographer Dr. David Gallo. Learn more about the use of robots and submarines in deep-sea exploration and his efforts to help recover Air France flight 447 in this final lecture of the series, March 29, 2016, 7PM at the Natural History Museum of Utah (301 Wakara Way, SLC).

Tickets are $6 and $12 for the first lecture. Remaining lectures are FREE to the public. Full Lecture Series lineup available at:  https://nhmu.utah.edu/lectureseries

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Founding Underwriter                                                        

R. Harold Burton Foundation                                

Underwriter

Cultural Vision Fund

Humanities · Arts · Environment       

Gold Sponsor: Rio Tinto Kennecott

Silver Sponsors: The Clark Foundation · Kent C. and Martha H. DiFiore Family Foundation · Myriad Genetics

Media Partner: KCPW 88.3 FM and 105.5 FM

Community Partners: The City Library · Kingsbury Hall · Liberty Heights Fresh · Viridian Center

Institutional Support: Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks