The College of the Canyons School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions will host 2013 Nobel Laureate Dr. Arieh Warshel, as the first presenter of the annual Speakers Symposium Series.

Warshelwill deliver the presentation “How to Model the Action of Complex Biological Systems on a Molecular Level And to Win a Nobel Prize” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The lecture will provide a background of Dr. Warshel’s long path to the Nobel Prize and its connection to the scientific advances achieved by he and his coworkers.

“This is the second time in the history of the Speakers Symposium Series that we have had the privilege to host a Nobel Prize winner in the arena of chemistry,” said Omar Torres, Dean of the School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions. “Dr. Warshel’s pioneering research in simulating models of chemical systems that mimic the large-scale movements of atoms in a molecule and electrons between atoms should be of prime interest to our students.”

Warshel is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Southern California, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research covers a wide range of problems in modern biophysical chemistry. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.

In 2013, Warshel and two colleagues were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Warshel’s award-winning work focused on the development of the key principles behind industry-specific computer simulations that are now indispensable in the study of chemical reactions.

The technological achievement has been described by Warshel as using computer simulation to better understand how the structure of a protein or molecule “does what it does.”

More About the Speakers Symposium Series

The School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions Speakers Symposium Series is designed to give both students and community members an opportunity to meet renowned research scientists and industry experts currently working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and health profession fields. In addition to learning more about each speaker’s research and particular area of expertise, attendees will also be able to explore the myriad of career options available in these emerging fields.

Each of the upcoming speaking engagements will consist of a roughly 60-minute presentation, culminating in an open forum discussion which will allow audience members to ask questions, interact with the speakers and dive deeper into the subject matter.

Future presentations will take place throughout the spring semester, in Boykin Hall, Room 105, located on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus.

All events are free of charge and open to the public, however seating may be limited.

A full schedule of speakers and topics should be available in early March.

For more information about the 2016 Math, Science & Health Professions Speakers Symposium Seriesplease visit www.canyons.edu/Offices/MathScienceDiv/.