The University of South Alabama department of mathematics and statistics will hold an interdisciplinary colloquium series on “Research in the Computational Life Sciences: Modeling, Analysis and Imaging” this spring semester.

As part of the colloquium, Emeritus Professor Dr. Wladimir Wertelecki, will lecture on “Congenital Malformation Studies in Chornobyl Impacted Regions of Ukraine: Lessons Learned” at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23,  at the University Library in Room 181.  Wertelecki served as chair of the medical genetics department at USA, from 1974-2009. He has also served as president of the board of Omni-Net Ukraine Child Development Programs from 2008-present. Refreshments will be served at 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

According to Wertelecki, the 1986 Chornobyl disaster triggered public concerns that continue today including “birth defect risks” posed by ionizing radiation. He will also discuss the process of creating population monitoring systems of congenital malformations in the Ukraine and the results of descriptive population observations.

Wertelecki’s major areas of interest include medical genetics, human handicaps, and pediatrics. He has been involved with many groups throughout his career and has also organized many conferences dealing with genetics and birth defects, as well as public health and other issues. He is the recipient of numerous awards and the author of more than 250 articles and abstracts.

For more information, contact Dr. Maria Byrne, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics at USA at (251) 460-6264.