Pfizer and PBS' NOVA scienceNOW Partner with Saint Louis Science Center and KETC to Bring 'An Evening with Inspiring Scientists' to St. Louis

Pfizer and PBS' NOVA scienceNOW Partner with Saint Louis Science Center and KETC to Bring 'An Evening with Inspiring Scientists' to St. Louis

- Event will celebrate science "stars" and their commitment to communicating science to the public -

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the best and brightest scientists on the planet, including Missourians on the cutting-edge of research, will share in "An Evening With Inspiring Scientists," hosted by Pfizer, NOVA scienceNOW and its local partners, the Saint Louis Science Center and KETC/Channel 9. Scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10 at the Saint Louis Science Center, this free public event will celebrate exceptional scientists who have devoted their lives to unraveling the mysteries of astrophysics, biology, chemistry, and human disease.

"An Evening With Inspiring Scientists" will feature several science "stars" whose dedication to their field of science and research reflects the wonders and possibilities of modern science. Speaking on a panel will be Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, American Museum of Natural History and host of NOVA scienceNOW; Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins; and Jeffrey Gordon, M.D., director of Washington University's Center for Genome Sciences. Also on hand will be scientists from Pfizer and other research-based organizations across Missouri. Paula Apsell, Senior Executive Producer of NOVA and NOVA scienceNOW and Director of the WGBH Science Unit will introduce the panel and share videoclips from the science series NOVA scienceNOW. Al Wiman, a former medical and science journalist and current Vice President of Public Understanding of Science at the Saint Louis Science Center will moderate the discussion.

"By highlighting scientists whose passion and motivation drive their work, we hope the public can connect with them and be inspired by their stories," said Donald Frail Ph.D., head of Pfizer's Global Indications Discovery Unit in St. Louis and Site Director of Pfizer's St. Louis Laboratories. "We believe that by hearing directly from scientists who share their common values, the public will come to a better understanding of the importance of scientific research to our health and well-being."

To underscore its commitment to science, Pfizer has sponsored high-profile science programs on public television such as the Charlie Rose Science Series and NOVA scienceNOW, a spinoff of PBS's most-watched science series NOVA. Through its sponsorship, Pfizer hopes to inspire public awareness of the incredible advancements in health and other areas of scientific pursuit that are being made today.

"We are delighted with Pfizer's support of NOVA scienceNOW and to be part of this event at the Science Center," said Paula Apsell. "Three years ago, we created this fast-paced magazine-style program to explore a variety of scientific topics, showcase the latest research, and introduce scientists who are changing the world. Strong ratings and positive viewer responses tell us that NOVA scienceNOW touches an important chord among audiences who thirst for science knowledge."

Playing host to "An Evening With Inspiring Scientists" is one of several recent endeavors by the Saint Louis Science Center to emphasize the importance of scientific research and enterprise, and therefore science education, in the United States. Through events like this, Science Center leaders hope to open the lines of communication between scientists and the general public, encourage students to pursue careers in science and technology and highlight the important role St. Louis can play in these critical movements.

"This is a great opportunity for Pfizer and the Saint Louis Science Center to collaborate in a program that promotes science learning and benefits not only the science and research community but society as a whole," said Doug King, President and CEO of Saint Louis Science Center. "It also underscores the strength of scientific enterprise here in Missouri. In life sciences alone, the Missouri research community is growing between six and 10 percent each year. We welcome this opportunity to highlight a key segment of our state's and nation's future."

"Science programming on KETC has always been a favorite of our viewers, particularly the excellent weekly explorations of science topics from NOVA and NOVA scienceNOW," said KETC President and CEO Jack Galmiche. "We welcome this opportunity from Pfizer to give fans of these programs the chance to meet and talk with these prominent scientific leaders."

This event, which starts at 7:00 p.m., is free and open to the public. For more information, please go to www.slsc.org.

About Pfizer Inc

Pfizer is the world's largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company. Every day, approximately 87,000 colleagues in more than 150 countries work to discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to patients. In 2007, Pfizer invested more than $8 billion in research and development.

About NOVA scienceNOW

From the award-winning producers of NOVA, NOVA scienceNOW is a fast-paced and provocative science magazine show that highlights four timely science and technology stories per episode. Launched in 2005, the show is hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, It's produced by the WGBH Science Unit, airs on PBS stations across the country including on KETC/Channel 9 in St. Louis. Funding for NOVA scienceNOW is provided by Pfizer, the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and public television viewers. For more information, visit: pbs.org/nova/novasciencenow.

About the Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents magazine and one of America's most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine, -- the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list -- the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.

About KETC

KETC, one of the most-watched PBS-member television stations in the country, offers St. Louisans the opportunity to explore the world through educationally and culturally stimulating programs broadcast on Channel 9 and four digital channels: PBS HD, KETC Kids, analog Channel 9 and Create. Since Channel 9's inception in 1954, the community has discovered new ideas and new worlds in KETC's high-quality, innovative television programs, from national series and specials to locally produced programs distributed regionally and nationwide. Channel 9 extends its rich legacy of serving St. Louis through the broadcast of Emmy-winning series Living St. Louis and Donnybrook, and through community engagement initiatives that invite investigation online and in person.

Source: Pfizer Inc

CONTACT: Ed Bryant of Pfizer Inc, +1-636-247-0177,
Edward.L.Bryant@pfizer.com; Beth McClure of Saint Louis Science Center, +1-
314-289-1455 or +1-314-267-9916, bmcclure@slsc.org; or Carole McFall of
NOVA/NOVA scienceNOW, +1-617-300-3988, carole_mcfall@wgbh.org

Web site: http://www.slsc.org/
http://pbs.org/nova/novasciencenow

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