March 05, 2013
Genome BC Bringing Dynamic Science Communicator Bob McDonald, host of CBC Quirks and Quarks, to Vancouver on March 11
Vancouver, BC – Canada’s favourite science ambassador, Bob McDonald, will be speaking at a free event on Monday, March 11. McDonald is best known for his passion and skill in communicating science. He has been on the international stage through television, radio, print and live presentations for more than 30 years.
McDonald will be talking about what he calls the Surviving the Third Millennium: As a science journalist he feels privileged to have witnessed the remarkable new achievements, discoveries and challenges at the cutting edge of our knowledge. Canada’s contributions, from the search for dark matter in the depths of a Sudbury mine to exploring the winds of Mars are internationally recognized. The third millennium will be a remarkable time for Canadian science.
“We live in exciting times when science is involved in every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat, the medicines we take, how we communicate, keep ourselves warm and move from place to place,” says McDonald. “And one of the most exciting fields, with huge potential for the future is genomics. How can we not be enthused about research that tells us about the very fabric of our being?”
“I’m very fortunate to have a job that keeps me on the cutting edge of science- every week, some of the smartest people on the planet tell me about their discoveries that are new to humanity, ” adds McDonald. McDonald is the host of CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks, the award-winning science program with a national audience of nearly 500,000 people. He is also a regular reporter for CBC Television’s The National as well as Gemini winning host and writer of the children’s series Head’s Up. McDonald has also hosted Greatest Canadian Invention and the seven-part series Water Under Fire.
“Bob McDonald is an outstanding example of a great science communicator,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC. “Bob represents the best of Canada – educated, engaging and incredibly entertaining – and we are thrilled to be partnering with Bob to illustrate the power and impact of not only genomics, but all science, on our lives today and into the future.”
As a print journalist, McDonald has authored three science books and contributed to numerous science textbooks, newspapers and magazines including The Globe and Mail, Owl Magazine and many others. His latest book is Measuring the Earth With a Stick, and he has written the introductions to The Quirks & Quarks Question Book, The Guide to Space: 42 Questions (and Answers) About Life, the Universe, and Everything as well as Nasty, Brutish and Short, the Quirks Guide to Animal Sex.
An engaging speaker, McDonald was also the recipient of a 2008 Gemini Award for Best Host in a Pre-School, Children’s or Youth Program or Series. His talk will showcase interactive demonstrations with the audience and a question and answer period.
McDonald will be speaking and taking questions on Monday, March 11 at the OMNIMAX Theatre, Science World at TELUS World of Science. This free event requires online registration: www.genomebc.ca/gbcbob
