TUESDAY: 'Order in Chaos' Is Focus of Fourth-Annual Rieveschl Lecture

The George Rieveschl Jr. Geo Lecture Series at the University of Cincinnati (UC) presents interdisciplinary lectures about the physical and life sciences on earth processes and their consequences for humanity. Each year, the Rieveschl lecturer presents a technical lecture to students and researchers and a separate, general lecture that is open to the public. This will be the first lecture held since George Rieveschl’s death on Sept. 27, 2007.

George Rieveschl earned three degrees from the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cincinnati: A.B. (1937), M.S. (1939) and Ph.D. (1940). He was a faculty member of the College of Engineering faculty and was named to the International Science and Engineering Hall of Fame in 1995. Rieveschl is perhaps best known outside of UC for being the inventor of Benadryl, the first antihistamine. Within UC’s walls, however, he is known as a strong supporter of the sciences, especially geology.

The 2008 Rieveschl lecturer is Bert Hölldobler, Foundation Professor of life sciences at Arizona State University. The George Rieveschl Jr. Geo Lecture Series is being hosted by the departments of Biological Sciences and Geology from the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences

According to Hölldobler, the remarkable ecological success of social insects, and in particular of ants, is based largely on two key features of insect societies: cooperation and communication. Furthermore, cooperation and division of labor are not possible without communication, and in fact, the communication systems in ants are very diverse.

In his lectures, Hölldobler will discuss how this communication is achieved. He will also discuss how communication regulates not only the social interactions within ant societies and how neighboring societies “negotiate” territorial boundaries by collective communication and assessment signals.

Bert Hölldobler, School of Life Sciences

Foundation Professor

Dr.rer.nat., University of Wuerzburg

Dr. habil., University of Frankfurt

April 7, 4 p.m. — technical lecture
“Regulation of Reproduction in Primitive and Advanced Ant Societies”
502 Rieveschl Hall

April 7, 7:30 p.m.
Movie: Ants: “Nature's Secret Power”
Please RSVP: (513) 559-7767
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Education Center
Frisch’s Theater

April 8, 4 p.m. — public lecture: The general public and UC community are most welcome.
“Order in Chaos: Communication & Cooperation in Ant Societies”
500 Swift Hall (UC)

Each lecture is sponsored by two or more disciplines from the physical and life sciences, and is open and free to all the university community and general public. There will be ample opportunity to meet the speaker. Parking is available just off Martin Luther King drive in Woodside Garage. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

The George Rieveschl Jr. Geo Lecture Series at the University of Cincinnati (UC) presents interdisciplinary lectures about the physical and life sciences on earth processes and their consequences for humanity.