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Scientists to explore looming threat of infectious disease at sixth annual science symposium

By Le Ann Finger '85
May 1, 2005

Three nationally known scientists will speak at St. Olaf College's Sixth Annual Science Symposium, "Emerging Infectious Diseases: The Unseen Threat," on Friday, May 6.

The Science Symposium begins at 2 p.m. with an introduction by Wesley Pearson, St. Olaf professor of chemistry and Hardy Distinguished Professor of Natural Science, and St. Olaf President Christopher M. Thomforde, followed by plenary addresses from Robin Bush, James Childress and Michael Osterholm.

The symposium, a day-long event, is free and open to the public.

Infectious diseases in the modern world are in rapid evolution due to microbial adaptation, increased travel and commerce, a breakdown of public health measures, and an escalating world population. Important practical and ethical issues arise from the necessity of rationing care when these diseases create a public-health crisis, as in the case of SARS, avian flu, or a bioterrorist attack. During this year's Honors Day Science Symposium, three renowned individuals from different fields will discuss the current status of emerging infectious diseases and the ability of the international community to cope with the unseen threat they represent.

"Every spring in conjunction with Honors Day we bring noted scientists to campus for presentations centered around a theme of current interest," says Wes Pearson, professor of Chemistry Hardy Distinguished Professor of Natural Sciences at St. Olaf. "The annual science symposium is a way for St. Olaf to increase awareness and knowledge of science on campus and within the wider community as well as a chance for St. Olaf science students to feature their research work with a poster session."

The symposium begins with Dr. Robin Bush discussing "Influenza" during her plenary address at 2:15 p.m. Bush, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California-Irvine, will explore some common misconceptions about influenza, based at the time on limited data, may be pertinent if we hope to come to grips with diseases such as the recent SARS outbreak and the ongoing avian influenza epidemic in southeast Asia, as well as unknown threats from biowarfare.

Dr. James Childress, the John Allen Hollingsworth Professor of Ethics and Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia will address "Just Care: Rationing in a Public Health Crisis." He will talk about major ethical issues that would arise from the necessity of rationing care in a public-health crisis, caused by a pandemic, such as SARS or avian flu, or by a bioterrorist attack. Childress will deliver the symposium's second plenary address at 3:30 p.m.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, is the director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy as well a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Osterholm serves as Associate Director for the Department of Homeland Security's National Center for Food Protection and Defense. Osterholm has studied the world of infectious diseases in humans and animals and its rapid evolution due to changing factors of the modern world. Emerging infectious diseases are the 'new normal' and require new approaches to their detection, response and control. Osterholm will give the symposium's third plenary address at 7:30 p.m.

Bush received her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and did postdoctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research currently focuses on two pathogens: the influenza virus, which with subsequent pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, and the bacteria Chlamydia, which is the major cause of human blindness and venereal disease.



Childress chaired the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia from 1972 to 1975 and 1986 to 1994. He served as principal of UVA's Monroe Hill College from 1988 to 1991 and as co-director of the Virginia Health Policy Center from 1991 to 1999. The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named Dr. Childress Professor of the Year in the state of Virginia in 1990, and in 2002 he received the University of Virginia's highest honor: the Thomas Jefferson Award. In 2004 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities.

Osterholm was recently elected to membership in the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He served for 15 years as state epidemiologist and chief of the Acute Disease Epidemiology Section at the Minnesota Department of Health. He is a national leader in raising awareness about the use of biological agents as catastrophic weapons targeting civilian populations.

The plenary sessions, as well as opening and closing remarks by Pearson, Thomforde and St. Olaf Dean and Provost James May, will be held in Science Center 280. Posters featuring student research projects will be available for viewing between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Crossroads. Students will formally present their research at 4:45 p.m. For more information, visit Science Symposium.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3416 or finger@stolaf.edu.