BP chief scientist to speak at UCSD

Steve Koonin, chief scientist of British Petroleum, will deliver a free public lecture on “Energy: Facts, Challenges and Responses” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at the Birch Aquarium at UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The event is open to the public with no tickets or reservations required.

Parking at Birch Aquarium is free.

Koonin will discuss various dimensions of energy policy and technology, including large-scale carbon sequestration at fossil fuel plants, a new generation of nuclear power plants and advanced biofuels to power transportation. He oversees BP’s $500 million a year new energy research efforts.

“The world’s energy demands and future solutions derived through biofuels research, including studies being conducted at Scripps and in the Division of Biology, are some of the most critical issues facing society today,” said Tony Haymet, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and vice chancellor for marine sciences. “Everyone in San Diego has a unique opportunity to hear the latest in the field from a leader in this arena.”

Koonin has served as chief scientist of BP, the world’s second largest independent oil company, since 2004. BP refines and markets petroleum products in more than 100 countries and serves more than 13 million customers each day.

In accordance with a major gift from a late philanthropist, the Helen Edison Lecture Series presents ongoing free public lectures on issues that advance humanitarian purposes and objectives. Attended annually by thousands, speakers include former vice president Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, former secretary of defense Robert McNamara, Nobel Prize in Literature winner Toni Morrison and Hispanic dramatist Luis Valdez, just to name a few.

For additional information contact UCSD’s Extension’s Helen Edison Lecture Series at (858) 822-0510, e-mail