Wednesday, April 2, 2003

NCSWA dinner with speaker Stanley Falkow: "A Microbe's Eye View of the World"

From commonplace pathogens like Salmonella and Helicobacter to sensational microbes like those causing anthrax and plague, bacterial beasties employ a variety of strategies to make us sick. With heightened fears of bioterrorism after September 11, it's a good time to learn more about bugs and put the risks they pose into realistic context.

World-renowned microbiologist Stanley Falkow, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and immunology and of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, is an expert in the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Once called "Mr. Microbe," he looks at life from a pathogen's perspective - and with a great sense of humor that makes it easier for his serious lessons to sink in.

Falkow has studied infectious disease at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Georgetown University Medical School, the University of Washington Medical School and Stanford. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine, has served as president of the American Society for Microbiology, and has received numerous awards and honorary doctorates. Virtually every major microbiology lab in the U.S. has a researcher from Falkow's lab, which has hosted bacteria causing diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pink eye, cholera, clamydia, gonorrhea, whooping cough, cat scratch fever, meningitis, Legionnaire's disease and more.

In 1999, Falkow shared the Stanford Medical School commencement address in response to a vote by faculty and students. He has received several teaching awards including the Kaiser Award for innovative teaching.

WHERE: The Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Ave., South San Francisco (650-583-8091). A map to the restaurant is online.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 2, 2003

COST: $18 per person; $10 for students

MENU: The Basque Cultural Center serves French-accented fair, and offers us a choice of three entrees:

• Breast of Chicken Chasseur with vegetables and rice
• Confit de Canard (Duck) with scalloped potatoes and vegetables
• Vegetarian Pasta

All are served with soup, salad, bread and butter, plus ice cream and coffee for dessert.

SCHEDULE:

• 6 pm to 7 pm Happy Hour (no host bar)
• 7 pm to 8 pm Dinner
• 8 pm to 9 pm Speakers

Please make out a check to NCSWA and mail it to:

Robert Sanders
1512 Holly St.
Berkeley, CA 94703

IN ADDITION TO SENDING A CHECK, PLEASE INDICATE THE ENTREE YOU DESIRE. We must tell the restaurant the total for each dish by Friday, March 28.

CARPOOLING: For those interested in carpooling to the dinner, Karen Street again will play transportation matchmaker, matching up those of you wanting a ride with those who are driving.

Contact her at kmstreet1@attbi.com. She will mail out information as she receives it. Many thanks to all those who have offered rides in the past, enabling people to attend.