Ricki Lewis, a science writer with a doctorate in genetics, is the speaker for the second annual Marlene V. Shaw Biology Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in Carter Hall of the University Center at the University of Southern Indiana.Her topic is Gene Therapy: A Forever Fix. The lecture is free and open to the public.
 
Lewis’ latest book tells the true story of 8-year-old Corey Haas, who was cured of hereditary blindness in 2008 just four days after undergoing gene therapy. Called The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It, the book will be published March 13 by St. Martin’s Press. It provides a brief history of this biotechnology that nearly disappeared after the death of an 18-year-old who received gene therapy at the same hospital nine years earlier. The book is written for a general audience.
 
“Ricki is gifted at weaving current stories and case studies in human genetics — making them come alive,” Shaw said. “She engages her audience with her knowledge of the science and her passion and compassion for the personal stories of individuals and their families.”
 
Lewis is author of Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, the most widely used college textbook in the field, now in its 10th edition; and the short book, Human Genetics: The Basics.
 
She has written more than 2,000 published articles since 1980. Her work has appeared in The Scientist, Science, Nature, Discover, and many other publications, including annual reports, newspapers, blogs, professional journals, and museum exhibits. As an expert science writer, she is invited to attend technical conferences and workshops for the purpose of writing reports for professionals engaged in research. She is frequently sought as a speaker on gene therapy, stem cells, genetic testing, genomics, bioethics, ancestry testing, and journalism and publishing.
Lewis is a genetic counselor at CareNet Medical Group in Schenectady, New York. She teaches courses on human genetics and bioethics at Union College Academy of Lifelong Learning and at the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College.
 
She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at State University of New York – Stony Brook. She also holds a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in genetics, both from Indiana University.
 
Copies of The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It will be available for purchase and signing following the lecture. In addition to the public lecture, Lewis will speak on genetics to biology classes and will offer insights on genetic counseling and science-writing as career choices during her visit to USI.