BOONE - Dr. Robert M. Hazen, research scientist at the Carnegie Institution and professor at George Mason University, will be guest lecturer for Appalachian State University's upcoming Morgan Science Lecture. Sponsored by the Department of Geology and the College of Arts and Sciences, the lectures will take place on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
Dr. Hazen will give two talks throughout the day. At 4pm he will speak on "Mineral Evolution, Mineral Ecology, and the Search for Earth's 'Missing' Minerals" in room RSW 293. He will then give a public talk at the Schaefer Center at 6:30pm entitled "Chance, Necessity, and the Origins of Life." Admission is free for both events.
Dr. Robert M. Hazen is author of more than 350 articles and 20 books on science, history, and music including "The Music Men," "Wealth Inexhaustible," "Why Aren't Black Holes Black," and "Genesis." Dr. Hazen has also written widely for popular audiences, including articles in Newsweek, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist and The New York Times Magazine.
Hazen's recent research focuses on the role of minerals in the origin of life, and has developed a new approach to mineralogy, called "mineral evolution," which explores the co-evolution of the geo- and biospheres. In addition to his mineralogical research, he is Principal Investigator of the Deep Carbon Observatory. His research was recently featured on the NOVA science documentary "Life's Rocky Start."