PRESS RELEASE
ARPA Institute
18106 Miranda St. Tarzana, CA 91356
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 586-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ARPA Institute presents the Lecture/Seminar:
`Biological Evolution and the Genetics of Armenians","
by Dr. Paul Narguizian, on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at
7:30 PM at the Merdinian School auditorium.
The Address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA
91403. Directions: on the 101 FWY exit on Woodman, go
north and turn right on Riverside Dr.
Abstract: – Biological evolution investigates the
functioning and biodiversity of life on Earth over
time, whether in the recent or more distant past, to
establish scientific explanations for the various
kinds of organisms, including humans, that have
evolved, and the biological relationships between
organisms and the ecosystems in which they live. DNA
technology has played an important role in increasing
our basic understanding of evolutionary principles,
while at the same time giving scientists the tools
necessary to combat diseases which are prevalent in
humans. There are numerous diseases which are more
prevalent in certain ethnic minorities including
Armenians, Turks, and Ashkenazi Jews. One such disease
includes Familial Mediterranean Fever (also known as
Armenian or Mediterranean disease). This lecture will
focus on the relationship between biological
evolution, recent groundbreaking scientific work in
DNA technology, and the techniques currently being
employed to better understand and treat human genetic
diseases.
Paul Narguizian is an assistant professor of science
education at California State University, Los Angeles.
Prof. Narguizian joined the faculty of the Charter
College of Education at Cal State L.A. in the summer
of 2002, after eight years of teaching
elementary/middle school general science and high
school biology and chemistry in Los Angeles, CA.
During this time, he also completed a Master of
Science degree in Cell & Molecular Biology at
California State University, Northridge. His research
at CSUN involved taking a closer look at the role of
cell membrane structures (i.e. amino acids) and
cancer. Realizing the dual importance of science
content and science education/pedagogy in being a more
effective science educator, he continued his graduate
education at the University of Southern California
where he received a Doctorate in Science Education.
During his tenure at USC, Prof. Narguizian became
interested in the Nature and History of Science (i.e.
the processes and mechanisms involved in science) and
as a result made it the focal point of his
dissertation. Dr. Narguizian’s university teaching
experience prior to CSULA included a position as an
adjunct professor of science education at California
State University, Long Beach. He has research and
publication interests in biological evolution
education, organisms of the CA Channel Islands, and
the nature, philosophy and history of science.
For more Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian
at (818)586-9660