UC Irvine TODAY

UC Irvine Libraries' fall exhibit, "So Simple a Beginning: 150 Years of Darwin," recognizes the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's seminal work, On the Origin of Species, as well as the bicentenary of his birth. The exhibit addresses the scientific and religious debate over Darwin's findings and its influence on art, literature and business. The opening reception features a talk by Francisco Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences.

Langson Library (bldg. 102, grid F9 on campus map) (pdf)

Free and open to the public. Reservations for the opening reception are recommended and can be made at 949-824-5300 or partners@uci.edu. Parking is available for $8 in the Student Center Parking Structure, on the corner of Pereira and West Peltason drives.

Francisco Ayala, ecology & evolutionary biology professor, is a National Medal of Science recipient and one of the world's leading evolutionary biologists and geneticists. He also is an ordained Dominican priest who seeks to reconcile religious and scientific views on evolution. For more than 30 years, Ayala has attempted to address religious skepticism about Darwin's theory of evolution. He has published at least 980 articles and written or edited 34 books. Ayala belongs to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.