Bacterial proteins are extremely tiny, but hold the key to solving some humanity’s most pressing global problems, such as growing enough food and creating enough energy to sustain expanding populations.

Dr. Jim Alfano, professor at the University of Nebraska, was the guest speaker at the seventh annual Gary Ogden Memorial Lecture held at Moorpark College’s Performing Arts Center.  Alfano is one of Ogden’s former students that was inspired to become a biology professor because of Ogden’s influence on him.

“I became a professor because of Gary,” said Alfano, “I really do credit him for my career. It’s been a great career.”

Students gathered in the PAC at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 10 to listen and learn from Alfano’s lecture which was titled, “Green Revolution: The covert takeover of the plant immune system by bacterial virulence proteins.”

Before and during his lecture which gave a detailed summary of his recent research, Alfano spent time relaying his experiences with Gary Ogden throughout his academic career.

Dr. Jana Johnson, a biology professor at MC, organized the lecture but could not attend due to illness. Instead, another professor of biology at MC, Marie Panec, opened and closed the lecture.

“I think Gary Ogden would be very proud his student,” said Panec at the conclusion of the lecture.

Dr. Jim Alfano at the seventh annual Gary Ogden Memorial Lecture. (Photo by Kimberly Kohlieber)

Gary Ogden (Photo by Kimberly Kohlieber)