MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu

FAU Hosts Nobel Prize Winner James D. Watson
Father of the Double Helical Structure for DNA

BOCA RATON, FL (February 15, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science will present Dr. James D. Watson, father of the double helix for DNA, driving force behind the Human Genome Project and Nobel Prize winner. This event, designated one of FAU's official 40th anniversary events, is part of the College of Science's inaugural Hall of Fame Distinguished Lecture and Awards Ceremony. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, March 1 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. in the University Theater, located in the A&L Building, FAU's Boca Raton campus. The event is free and open to the public.

In 1953, Watson, with Dr. Francis Crick, successfully proposed the double helical structure for DNA, a feat described as "the greatest achievement of science in the 20th century." For this work, Watson, Crick and Dr. Maurice Wilkins, a research colleague, were awarded the Nobel Price in Medicine in 1962.

While a professor at Harvard, Watson commenced a writing career that generated the seminal text, Molecular Biology of the Gene and the best-selling autobiographical volume, The Double Hilix. He also recently published DNA: The Secret of Life. In 1976, he became the director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which under his direction became of the world's most important research institutions for molecular biology. In 1988, Watson was appointed associate director for Human Genome Research at the National Institutes of Health, and in 1989, he became director of the National Center for Human Genome Research. He guided the project, and his effort has resulted in a complete directory of the genetic code of the human species.

Academic and research institutes, as well as governmental agencies around the world, have recognized Watson with many honorary degrees and awards. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1962, and in 1977, the Presidential Medal of Freedom was presented to him by President Ford. In 1993, he received the Copley Medal, the highest award from the Royal Society of London, which had elected him a member in 1981. Watson was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1997. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed him an honorary knight of the British Empire in 2002, and he was named chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 2003.

For more information on the event, contact Elfriede Lynch at 561-297-3023.

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