Best-selling author speaking Jan. 28

Sam Kean, a best-selling science author, will speak about neuroscience and his latest book, “The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons,” at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 28 at Cornell College.

Kean, who in addition to “The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons,” has also written “The Violinist’s Thumb,” a text discussing the history of genetics, and “The Disappearing Spoon,” a text discussing the history of the periodic table, will give a presentation in the Hall-Perrine room on the middle level of the Thomas Commons. The talk is free and open to the public.

“The Disappearing Spoon” and “The Violinist’s Thumb” were national bestsellers, and both were named on the Amazon “Top 5” list science books for the year of their publication. “The Violinist’s Thumb” was a finalist for PEN’s literary science writing award. In addition to books, Kean has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times Magazine, Mental Floss, Slate, Psychology Today, and The New Scientist.

Biology Professor Barbara Christie-Pope used “The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons” as the text in her neuroscience course during Block 2 in fall 2014. The Dimensions reading group read “The Violinist’s Thumb” during fall 2014, and the Chemistry reading group has previously read “The Disappearing Spoon.”

In addition to his public talk, Kean will visit four classes and meet with the Dimensions reading group.

Kean’s talk is sponsored by Dimensions: The Center for the Science and Culture of Healthcare. Dimensions integrates the liberal arts and preparation for careers in healthcare, and sponsors interdisciplinary courses, public talks, research opportunities, internships at leading institutions, workshops and seminars, assistance with MCAT and graduate school preparation, and more.