Philadelphia Culturati 

Dr. Geerat J. Vermeij, a renowned evolutionary biologist, will present a free talk Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Academy of Natural Sciences on “Nature’s Housing Market: How Predators, Molluscs and Hermit Crabs Have Colluded Through Time.”

Vermeij (ver MAY) is a professor of marine ecology and paleoecology at the University of California at Davis. Perhaps best known for his work documenting the arms race among long-extinct mollusks and their predators, Vermeij has advanced the field of paleobiology by addressing the profound influences organisms have on each other’s evolutionary histories. His talk provides an intriguing perspective on the evolution of these marine animals and how shells help people understand the economy of nature.

The presentation is part of the 27th annual Philadelphia Shell Show at the Academy, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11. The talk is free and will take place at 5 p.m. in the auditorium. Visitors may attend the talk without attending the shell show. Registration is not required.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in New Jersey, Vermeij has been blind since age 3. He graduated from Princeton University and received his doctorate in biology and geology from Yale University. He has published nearly 100 scientific papers and four books, including an autobiography entitled “Privileged Hands: A Scientific Life.” His latest book, “Nature and Economic History,” integrates the principles of economics and evolution—linking diverse theoretical approaches to understand major trends in the history of life and humanity. Besides his scholarly contributions, Vermeij’s passion and enthusiasm for understanding the natural world is further demonstrated in his ability to make science assessable to many segments of society—from teaching in a traditional academic setting to inspiring established practitioners of science, budding conchologists and the blind.

For more information on Vermeij, visit:

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/07/science/scientist-at-work-geerat-vermeij-getting-the-feel-of-a-long-ago-arms-race.html and https://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/vermeij.html