Natural History Museum CEO speaks at League event

You are invited to hear Evalyn Gates, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, at the League of Women Voters' public meeting set for Thursday, April 7, 2011, 7 to 9 pm, at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland.  Title of her talk is "Portal to the Universe."  There is no admission charge, with free parking behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue. 

 Dr. Gates will discuss how museums are a unique portal connecting us all to a deeper understanding of the world in which we live, from our own backyards to the most distant galaxies.  Museums serve a critical role to improve scientific literacy, from new health technologies and how best to use them, to new sources of sustainable energy. 

Before coming to The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (www.cmnh.org) in May 2010, Dr. Gates was Assistant Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago and a Senior Research Associate in the university's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics.  Previously, she served as Director of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago.

She received her Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from Case Western Reserve University.  Her strong interest in addressing the under-representation of women and minorities in the physical sciences has prompted her to author several articles on the topic of women in physics, as well as often speaking on the issue.  Dr. Gates' first book, Einstein's Telescope: The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe, was published in February 2009.

The League of Women Voters' "First Thursdays" speaker series this season  is called "Women Who Know Their Place," featuring women who have achieved a high degree of success in their fields, and also celebrates the 91st Anniversary of the League of Women Voters.  Program funding is provided by the Cleveland Heights/University Heights Chapter of the LWV Cuyahoga Area and the LWV Cuyahoga Area Education Fund, Inc.  For more information, visit www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org or call 216 781-0555.