Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. William W. Gibson, Stephen F. Austin State University professor of biology, will deliver the 25th annual J.H. Burr Jr. Distinguished Lecture in Biology at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in the Miller Science Building Room 137.

The topic he will address is "How Insects Affect People."

"Somewhere in the world malaria kills one child every 30 seconds," Gibson said. "That is an extremely high mortality rate."

Gibson will provide an overview of the problems caused by insects, as well as some of the success stories of how problems have been overcome.

"Malaria and yellow fever are now gone from the United States," he said. "The only cases we still see are coming in from other countries.

In the 1930's, these diseases were big killers. Now, they have been wiped out in this country."
Gibson said his speech will offer "something for everyone."

Gibson joined the biology faculty in the fall of 1962. He earned his B.S. in agriculture from the University of Rhode Island, his M.S. in zoology and later his Ph.D. in entomology from Kansas State University.

A reception with refreshments begins at 5 p.m., with the lecture to follow.