News Release

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March 1, 2006

Nationally Known Forensic DNA Expert Gives Keynote at 'Evening with Industry' March 15 at Basque Center
Boise State student chapter of Society of Women Engineers presents event

Nationally known forensic DNA expert and Boise State University professor Greg Hampikian is the keynote speaker March 15 at “An Evening with Industry” presented by the student section of the Society of Women Engineers at Boise State University.

Hampikian’s talk is titled “Forensic Science and Genetic Engineering: DNA Speaks for the Dead and Missing.” The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Basque Center, 601 Grove Street, and includes a catered buffet meal prepared by the Basque Market, a lecture and social time. The public is invited. Admission is $25 general and $5 for Boise State students.

The event is an opportunity for members of the Treasure Valley business, technology and industry community to share an evening with Boise State students and faculty, said Emmy Guthrie, president of Boise State’s SWE chapter. Proceeds from the evening will fund activities and outreach for the student chapter of SWE, a national organization that encourages and supports women to pursue and excel in careers in engineering.

Hampikian is the acting director of the Boise State office of the Idaho Innocence project and has consulted on a number of high-profile criminal cases, including several that have resulted in an inmate being freed from prison after DNA testing showed he could not have committed the crime. He is the co-author of Exit to Freedom, written with former inmate Calvin Johnson. The book chronicles Johnson’s 16-year effort to prove his innocence and is the only firsthand account of a prisoner freed by DNA evidence.

Deadline to order tickets for “An Evening With Industry” is March 9. Contact Guthrie at 794-9533 or emmyguthrie@mail.boisestate.edu,  or call Leandra Aburusa-Lete at 426-4432.

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Contact: Emmy Guthrie, Society of Women Engineers, (208) 794-9533, emmyguthrie@mail.boisestate.edu  or Leandra Aburusa-Lete, (208) 426-4432, laburusa@boisesate.edu 
Media Contact: Janelle Brown, University Communications, (208) 426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu

Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and public service.






 

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007