Who says Sci-Port is just for kids? The Science Center is proving that, as it kicks off a free adult lecture series tonight.

It's called "Looking Under the Lens" and features three Tuesday night talks with leaders in the fields of genetics, forensic anthropology and molecular diagnostics.

Science Center spokeswoman Karen Wissing tells KEEL News that tonight's special guest is Dr. Mary Lowery Nordberg with LSU Health Shreveport's Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. She'll be discussing genetic testing for such things as preventive double mastectomies -- which actress Angelina Jolie went through -- as well as breast and lung cancer, clotting and stents.

Next Tuesday, the 18th, features LSU "FACES" Laboratory Director Mary Manhein, also known as "The Bone Lady," who exhumed the body of Huey Long's alleged assassin. She'll talk about that, and her 30 years experience in solving mysteries using science and technology.

On the 25th, Dr. Greg Whitlock will discuss molecular diagnostics and clinical care, with an emphasis on polymerase chain reaction technology. That's used, for example, in comparing blood from a crime scene to that found on a gun to find a match.

All three lectures run from 7 until 8:30 p.m. A meet-and-greet reception, complete with heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, will follow each presentation. So you'll need to be at least 18 to come in by yourself. If you're younger than that, you'll need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You will need to reserve a spot in advance of whichever lecture you want to attend. You can do that by calling Sci-Port at 424-8660. Wissing says she's hoping the Science Center will be able to record the lectures for those who might not be able to make it.

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