College of Sciences Newsletter

Edition 18

August 10, 2003

Anne Simon was The Distinguished Presidential Lecturer in Science for Spring 2003      Dr. Anne Simon and Dr. Joe Rule

 

"The Real Science Behind 'The X-Files' " The television series, The X-Files, has caught the attention of many through its ability to balance Agent Mulder's fanciful other-worldly explanations of extra-ordinary phenomena with Agent Scully's grounded, scientific explanations. Where does X-Files creator Chris Carter turn for these scientific insights? To Dr. Anne Simon. As science adviser for The X-Files, she views her consulting work with the program as a service to science in dispelling the stereotypes of scientists. Complementing the popular television series is her new book, "The Real Science Behind the X-Files: Microbes, Meteorites and Mutants", in which Simon examines the many science issues that are blended in The X-Files stories -- hot topics such as cloning, aging, genetic engineering, and life on other planets. In addition to her X-Files work, Simon is an eminent plant virologist who is the editor of the international journal, Virology, and the associate editor of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. Dr. Simon graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego and earned her Ph.D. in genetics from Indiana University.

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