Olson's critically acclaimed book weaves together findings from archaeology, linguistics and genetics to produce unique insights into who we are and where we came from. He also shows that the ethnic and racial differences in today's societies are biologically meaningless. "Only about 6,000 generations separate everyone alive today from a common set of ancestors," he says.

In his book, Olson traces the dispersal of our ancestry from Africa to the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Along the way, he meets with scientists who have filled in important parts of the genetic story in each continent he visits. All lead to his far-reaching conclusions about the long-term genetic future of our species.

Olson's lecture will feature a discussion on the evolution of the human race, drawn on the latest DNA research, as well as on more traditional sources, including linguistic evidence and the fossil record. "One of the most remarkable scientific discoveries of the past two decades has been the realization that our DNA contains vast quantities of historical information," said Olson. "Essentially, each of us has a unique sequence of the chemicals that make up our DNA. By studying how DNA differs from person to person, geneticists have been able to identify where and when modern humans evolved, how our ancestors spread across our planet, and how the groups we know today as 'races' and 'ethnic groups' originated."

Mapping Human History was a National Book Award finalist and won the Science-in-Society Award from the National Association of Science Writers. Olson has written extensively for the Atlantic Monthly, Scientific American and Science magazines. He lives in Bethesda, Md., where he coaches the math team at a public middle school.

Through a generous gift from alumna Margaret Sokol '38, the Margaret and Herman '37 Sokol Science Lectures were established to allow members of the University and surrounding communities to gain a greater appreciation and expanded knowledge of important issues in science.

Each semester, a speaker of national or international renown is invited to campus to meet with faculty and students, and conduct an evening seminar open to the public. Speakers are selected on the basis of strong interdisciplinary appeal in their area of expertise and public recognition.