Three eminent evolutionary biologists will address recent progress in evolutionary biology and explore its future in the College of Science symposium titled "Evolutionary Biology Entering the New Millennium: the Postmodern Synthesis," slated for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The morning-long symposium is one of numerous activities scheduled during the Inaugural Week of Wayne State President Irvin Reid.

Douglas Futuyma, professor of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, will provide a broad overview with a historical perspective.

Rudolf Raff, professor of developmental biology and evolution at Indiana University, represents the nascent area of "Evodevo," the genetic and evolutionary basis of development, and will speak on recent dramatic, progress in understanding the genetic basis of embryological development from an evolutionary perspective.

Richard Alexander, professor of biological sciences at the University of Michigan, will provide an overview of "Human Affairs" from an evolutionary perspective - a perspective that is becoming the model for psychology and the social sciences.

Between 1920 and 1930 neo-Darwinism emerged as the synthesis between Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and modern genetics as initiated by Gregor Mendel. The "Modern Synthesis," as it came to be known, has guided biology through the end of the 20th century.

"However, during the past 20 years there has been a dramatic acceleration in progress towards understanding the complexities of evolutionary processes and a deeper understanding of the implications of the theory for the human species," says William Moore, professor of biological sciences.

"This surge in progress has resulted from developments in molecular genetics leading to an understanding of the genetic basis of evolution and embryonic development, and in the application of natural selection theory to understanding human behavior."

For more information call (313) 577-2934.