The College of the Canyons Mathematics, Sciences & Engineering Division will host 2005 Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert H. Grubbs who will speak at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.

Grubbs’ 60-minute symposium “Fundamental Research to Commercial Products: Applications of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts” will mark the conclusion of the MSE Speakers Symposium Series.

“We are honored to have the privilege of hosting Dr. Grubbs as the culminating speaker of our Symposium Series this year,” said Omar Torres, dean of the college’s MSE division. “His pioneering work on olefin metathesis represents a huge step forward in ‘green chemistry’ that is sure to be of interest to our students and community.”

Currently on staff at the California Institute of Technology (Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), Grubbs earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005 for development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis. Metathesis is an organic reaction in which chemists strip out certain atoms in a compound and replace them with atoms that were previously part of another compound. Grubbs developed powerful new catalysts that enabled custom synthesis of valuable molecules, which has led to industrial and pharmaceutical methods that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

After Grubbs’ presentation, there will be an open forum discussion, which will allow audience members to ask questions and interact with the speaker.

The MSE 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) fields. In addition to learning more about each speaker’s research and particular area of expertise, attendees will also be able to explore career options in these emerging fields.

The MSE Speakers Symposium Series started in February and included speakers Dr. Michael Sailor (UCSD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry), Matthew Wallace (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Dr. Dan Lubin (UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography), Dr. Richard Squires (CSUN Department of Geological Sciences) and Dr. J. David Jentsch (UCLA Department of Psychology).

Grubbs’ symposium is free of charge and open to the public, however seating may be limited.

For more information, contact Omar Torres at (661) 362-3135 or omar.torres@canyons.edu. To read Grubbs’ full presentation abstract and speaker profile, visit www.canyons.edu/divisions/mathsci.