The Dean's Lecture Series 2003-2004

Dean's Distinguished Lecture in the Basic Sciences

The Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series was founded at the College of Physicians & Surgeons in 1981 to provide a forum and formal vehicle for interdisciplinary academic exchange in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, and humanities. The lectures are designed to emphasize the cross-collaborative nature of scientific inquiry and to enrich the traditional scholarly exchange between the health sciences faculties, the other branches of Columbia University, and the metropolitan New York medical community—all while honoring the school's fundamental responsibility to maintain the highest standards of humanistic education.

Over the past twenty years, we have been fortunate to have as speakers some of the world's leading basic scientists, clinicians, and humanistic scholars, all of whom have made significant and outstanding contributions to their respective fields. Yet, as expert as all of these speakers are in their areas of specialization, they have been able to bring their thoughts and experiences to life for those outside their traditional academic disciplines—some of whom ultimately have found new ways to advance this knowledge at the intersection of the arts and sciences.

Through the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series, we look forward to continuing our tradition of bringing together students, professors, researchers and clinicians in the spirit of true intellectual curiosity and academic cooperation—sowing the seeds, perhaps, for the next great breakthrough discovery or cure in the process.

PAST DEAN'S DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS IN THE BASIC SCIENCES

1982-83 - Brian Hoffman
1983-84 - Eric Kandel
1984-85 - Harold Ginsberg
1985-86 - Elvin Kabat
1986-87- Reinhold Benesch
1987-88 - Wayne Hendrickson
1988-89 - Richard Axel
1989-90 - Frederick Alt
1990-91 - Arthur Karlin
1991-92 - Stephen P. Goff
1992-93 - Argiris Efstratiadis
1993-94 - Barry Honig
1994-95 - Riccardo Dalla-Favera
1995-96 - Thomas M. Jessell
1996-97 - Michael D. Gershon
1997-98 - Gary Struhl
1998-99 - Kathryn Calame
1999-00 - Lloyd A. Greene
2000-01 - Virginia E. Papaioannou
2001-02 - Vincent Racaniello
2002-03 - Eric Gouaux