The College of Nursing at the University of Missouri-St. Louis will hold the Elizabeth McIntosh and Jerry Durham College of Nursing Alumni Endowed Lecture in Nursing Science at 4 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. The lecture, “Building a Program of Research in Injury Science: How Curiosity Never Kills the Cat,” will be presented by Marilyn S. Sommers, the Lillian S. Brunner Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

The presentation will explore the steps a scientist takes to build a program of research. Sommers will discuss the unexpected twists and turns that are typical during exploration and knowledge development, and the role of curiosity in science. She will provide examples from her own program of research on injury and violence, and provide hints for both students and faculty embarking on scientific discovery.

Sommers is known nationally and internationally for her work in the area of injury prevention and health compromising behaviors that may lead to injury. She has received more than $10 million in federally funded awards to support her research and research training for other scientists.

The Elizabeth McIntosh and Jerry Durham College of Nursing Alumni Endowed Lecture in Nursing Science was established in 1999 in honor of the original director of the Barnes School of Nursing, once housed at UMSL, and the former dean of the College of Nursing, respectively.

The free, 30-minute lecture will be followed by a question and answer session, and a reception. RSVP by Sept. 8 to Judy Hicks in the College of Nursing at UMSL at 314-516-6849 or Judy_Hicks@umsl.edu.