Hancock Symposium to bring renowned scientists to Fulton

August 19, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. | Updated August 19, 2016 at 2:51 a.m.

A physician portrayed by Will Smith in the movie "Concussion," the man behind the Hubble telescope and a world leader in cancer research are just three of the guest lecturers coming to Westminster College for the annual Hancock Symposium.
Titled "Audacious Ingenuity: Pushing the Boundaries of Science," the two-day symposium will be Sept. 14-15, focusing on the role science plays in shaping the world.
"We invite everyone interested in science and medical research breakthrough to join us for this fascinating line-up of speakers during this year's symposium," Westminster President Benjamin Ola. Akande said. "Nationally renowned presenters responsible for the medical and technological advances that protect our health and the health of the world, and pioneers whose discoveries are opening new scientific frontiers will join us."
Presented by Westminster's Churchill Institute of Global Engagement, the Hancock Symposium is one of the college's signature academic experiences, bringing in national and international leaders and experts to educate, inspire and challenge students on a subject of global significance. All sessions are free and open to the public.
The three main speakers are Dr. Bennet Omalu, who confronted the NFL with his groundbreaking research on brain damage caused by the impact of sports injuries; Dr. Mario Livio, the astrophysicist who worked behind the Hubble Telescope for 24 years; and, Dr. Francis Ali-Osman, a world leader in cancer research.
Other major speakers include Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes, whose research concludes pesticides and other chemicals cause adverse health issues; Dr. Norman Lederman, an internationally known expert on teacher and student concepts of science and scientific inquiry; Dr. Sharon Deem, a wildlife veterinarian and epidemiologist at the St. Louis Zoo; Dr. Jim Carrington, president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis; and Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, who is working on the 100 Year Starship Project, laying the groundwork for the first human mission to a nearby star system.
Some of the topics being discussed by speakers in breakout sessions include fetal medicine, tropical diseases, technologies for Missourians with physical and other challenges and greening religion.
A complete agenda for the Hancock Symposium can be found at symposium.westminster-mo.edu. A number of the lectures will be live streamed at www.westminster-mo.edu/go/live.