On Nov. 20, world-renowned scholar Shirley Tilghman, MED ’75, will visit Temple’s Main Campus to discuss the current state of U.S. biomedical research as part of Temple’s Provost Lecture Series.

 

A leader in the field of molecular biology and a staunch advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and math, Tilghman will present “The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Life in Biomedical Science.”

 

“Shirley Tilghman is a highly accomplished researcher, insightful educator and visionary academic leader,” said Temple Provost Hai-Lung Dai. “I am confident our student body and faculty will benefit greatly from her lecture about a topic that is so important to the scientific community and society in general.”

 

Tilghman served on the faculty of Princeton University for 15 years before being named its 19th and first female president, a position she held for 12 years until June 2013. After completing her term as president, she returned to the faculty as professor of molecular biology. Tilghman earned her PhD in biochemistry from Temple University.  

 

“Today’s scientists need to rethink some fundamental features of U.S. biomedical research,” said Tilghman. “The long-held but erroneous assumption of never-ending rapid growth in biomedical science has created an unsustainable, hypercompetitive system that is discouraging even the most outstanding prospective students from entering our profession and making it difficult for seasoned investigators to produce their best work. This is a recipe for long-term decline, and the problems cannot be solved with simplistic approaches.”

 

Temple’s Provost Lecture Series brings outstanding scholars and artists to campus to share how they built upon their education foundation to become leaders in research, industry and the arts. 

 

The series was kicked off last spring with a visit to campus by entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest. In his lecture, “From Media Mogul to Philanthropist,” Lenfest told students how he made a fortune in the cable business—and why he has worked so hard to give it away.

 

“This upcoming lecture by Dr. Tilghman will surely help all attendees understand the challenges facing today’s researchers and the changes needed to ensure rewarding career paths in the biomedical research field,” Dai said.

 

—Hedy Taub Baker