FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              September 29, 2006

EXPERT IN ANTARCTIC MEDICINE, RESEARCH TO SPEAK AT NORTHWESTERN

            An expert in Antarctic medicine, research and exploration will be a guest speaker at Northwestern Oklahoma State University Friday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. in the Science Amphitheater.

            Desmond J. Lugg, M.D., is a Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and is director of Medicine of Extreme Environments at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

            The title of the program he’s bringing to Northwestern is “Antarctica: An Analog for Mars.”

            Dr. Cynthia Pfeifer-Hill, professor of biology and chair of the department of natural sciences at Northwestern, said Lugg will trace his involvement in Antarctica and comment on its role as an Earth analog for remote medical practice in the human exploration of the solar system.

            Pfeifer-Hill is excited to have someone of Lugg’s experience and knowledge coming to share his information with those who may be interested.

            Last year’s guest speaker presented by the Natural Science Department was Dr. Duane Pierson, a 1966 Northwestern graduate in chemistry and biology who was honored as a 2005 Northwestern Outstanding Graduate. Pierson’s presentation was titled “Human Space Flight: The Exploration Vision.”

            Pfeifer-Hill said Pierson, who is the current chief microbiologist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, traveled with Lugg to the Antarctic in 1998 and recommended Lugg to come as a special guest speaker.

            As a young Australian medical graduate in the early 1960s, Lugg wintered in Antarctica. This led to a career in Antarctic medicine, research and exploration that spanned several decades.

            Lugg was formerly with the Australian National Antarctic Research Division (ANARE) in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. He has been to the Antarctic many times during the last 40 years and was the physician in charge of polar medicine for years.

            He retired from the ANARE about five years ago and has been at NASA headquarters since that time.

-NW-

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