Villanova Co-sponsors “Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics,” at Academy of Natural Sciences, May 24 - Sept. 28.
Known as the “Father of Modern Genetics,” Mendel was an Augustinian friar.
An Augustinian University, Villanova honors the scientist-priest with a year-long celebration that includes the Academy exhibit, 2008 Mendel Medal presentation, “Mendel in the 21st Century” Symposium, and an ongoing sustainable campus initiative
A 19th-century Augustinian friar and scientist, Gregor Mendel grew 28,000 pea plants over an eight-year period to discover some of the most celebrated laws of heredity. Although it took 35 years for experts to begin appreciating the importance of his work, Mendel is known commonly today as the “Father of Modern Genetics.”
At Villanova University, one of only two Catholic Augustinian institutions of higher education in the nation, the accomplishments of this Augustinian friar, teacher, scientist and mathematician are celebrated on a daily basis as students walk into the Mendel Science Center. Not only is he the namesake of Villanova’s on-campus Science Center, but his legacy remains a vital part of contemporary study of the natural and physical sciences at the University. The work of this celebrated scientist has been honored at Villanova since 1928 when it first established the Mendel Medal for outstanding work in the field of science. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Medal.
As part of the University’s 80th Anniversary of the Mendel Medal Celebration, Villanova and The Academy of Natural Sciences have teamed up to bring the exhibit, “Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics,” to Philadelphia. Co-sponsored by Villanova University and the Academy, “Gregor Mendel” will be on display at the Academy from May 24 to Sept. 28.
Visitors to the exhibit will see virtually all the surviving artifacts of Mendel's life and work, including scientific instruments, manuscripts, botanical specimens, correspondence and even his gardening tools. They can also recreate Mendel's groundbreaking pea experiments, analyze DNA sequences, and identify dominant and recessive traits, through a series of engaging interactives. The exhibit was developed by The Field Museum in Chicago, in partnership with The Vereinigung zur Förderung der Genomforschung in Vienna, Austria, and the Mendel Museum in Brno, Czech Republic.
“The journey to bring this Mendel exhibit to the city began over three years ago,” explains the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., president of Villanova University. “Father Kail Ellis, O.S.A., Villanova’s dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, learned of its development and said, ‘Let’s share this exhibit and bring it to Philadelphia.’ Now after years of hard work and ongoing collaboration, this vision is being realized. As an Augustinian university Villanova is delighted to co-sponsor this fascinating exhibit and partner with The Academy of Natural Sciences. The opportunity allows us to share our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and exploration.”
The Mendel exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences is only one component of Villanova University’s year-long celebration devoted to highlighting Mendel’s lasting impact on scientific discovery and exploration as well as the concept of sustainability. In addition to the Academy exhibit, the special events and initiatives include:
“One of our goals in partnering with the Academy in presenting the Mendel exhibit is to educate visitors that they can appreciate the significance of his research and how, without his work, our current knowledge of the human genome would be nonexistent,” says Father Ellis. “Mendel laid the foundation from which all breakthroughs in genetic research came to be, and that is something that most people just don’t know. By highlighting Mendel for an entire year, we are about to showcase him before large and diverse audiences.”
