The Smith/Patterson Lecture series was launched in the fall of 2008 to host professionals to discuss current trends in science and health journalism. Lectures have been held twice each academic year, typically once per semester. Schedule-permitting, Smith/Patterson Fellows work with HCRC staff on scheduling the speakers, promoting the series, working with lecturers, and managing details of the events.
2013-2014
- Rebecca Skloot, award-winning and New York Times best-selling author, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Bill Nye, science television personality, most notably of the PBS series, Bill Nye the Science Guy
2012-2013
- Glen Nowak, Ph.D., senior advisor to the Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Stephanie Coontz, award-winning author, speaker and professor of history and family studies
2011-2012
- David Brooks, best-selling author and journalist for The New York Times
- Shirley Corriher, James Beard Award-winning author
2010-2011
- Steven Pinker, Ph.D., best-selling author and Harvard University professor of psychology
- Gary Schwitzer, publisher of HealthNewsReview.org
2009-2010
- Dan Levitin, Ph.D., neuroscientist and music journalist
- Glen Nowak, Ph.D., senior advisor to director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2008-2009
- Ann Gibbons, journalist and author of The First Human
- Susan Dentzer, editor in chief, Health Affairs
- John T. Burklow, associate director for Communications and Public Liaison, National Institutes of Health
- Glen Nowak, chief of Media Relations, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Mike Stobbe, health reporter, Associated Press