Chef Charlie Trotter to Headline Science and Technology Week, April 14-17

Famed chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter will be the keynote speaker for Illinois State University’s Science and Technology Week on Tuesday, April 15.  Other events during the week will focus on the role of biomechanics in entertainment, species conservation and the Chicago Climate Exchange.

Events during Science and Technology Week, April 14-17, are sponsored by the College of Applied Science and Technology and are free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.cast.ilstu.edu/sciencetechnologyweek

Trotter will deliver the keynote address, “Lessons in Excellence” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, in Bone Student Center’s Braden Auditorium.  The event, which will include a question and answer session with audience members, is free and open to the public.  A book signing will follow the presentation.  Trotter’s visit is co-sponsored by Milner Library, ISU Credit Union and the Illinois Soybean Association.

Trotter is owner of Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, considered one of the finest restaurants in the world. The restaurant has received Five Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, Five Diamonds from AAA and seven James Beard Foundation awards, including 'Outstanding Restaurant' (2000) and 'Outstanding Chef' (1999). Wine Spectator named the restaurant “The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine & Food”(1998) and America's Best Restaurant”(2000). Charlie Trotter is the author of 12 cookbooks, two management books, and is the host of the nationally aired, award winning PBS cooking series, The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter.  Trotter is involved in a number of philanthropic activities, including the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation. In 2005, Trotter was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his overall service to the community.

On Monday, April 14, “Biomechanics in Arts and Entertainment” will be the topic of a presentation by biomechanical engineer Antonie J. van den Bogert.  The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Circus Room. 

A researcher with the Cleveland Clinic, van den Bogert was one of 32 winners of the 2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards.  He was honored for his work in developing motion capture technology, which allows human motion to be converted into animation. From his clinic laboratories, he and his staff study the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of human movement, with applications in sports medicine and rehabilitation.  His presentation is co-sponsored by the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.

“Lions, Tigers and Pandas – Oh My: Career Path of a Species Conservationist” will be the topic of a presentation by Illinois State alumnus David E. Wildt, senior scientist and head of the Center for Species Survival at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 in the Bone Student Center Old Main Room.

Wildt has carried out multidisciplinary research for 30 years while at Michigan State University, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, the National Institutes of Health and now the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and its Conservation and Research Center. He leads a group of scientists, fellows, students, technicians and volunteers who study the reproductive biology of animals, from fish to elephants.   Wildt earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Illinois State in 1972.  His presentation is co-sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.

Michael J. Walsh, executive vice president of the Chicago Climate Exchange will discuss the Exchange’s mission and work in a presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 in the Bowling and Billiards Center Activity Room. 

The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is the world's first and North America's only active, voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six greenhouse gases, with offset projects in North America and around the world. CCX’s affiliated companies, European Climate Exchange and Chicago Climate Futures Exchange, host markets for futures products based on European Union carbon dioxide emission allowances and U.S. sulfur dioxide emission allowances.   Walsh is also an Illinois State alumnus with bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science.  His presentation is co-sponsored by the Student Environmental Health Association and the Environmental Health Program in the Department of Health Sciences.