Dr. William Earl Bobo, molecular biology ’92, is a radiation oncologist at the Southeast Radiation Oncology Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

When he began his academic journey at Auburn, Bobo had set out to become a veterinarian.

“After meeting with Dr. Lawrence Wit, I determined Auburn was the place for me,” said Bobo. “I was drawn in a different direction and became interested in molecular biology, which was a new degree option at the time.”

His advisors, Bill Mason and Marie Wooten, helped guide Bobo into a career path he would soon love.

While at Auburn, Bobo was involved with the Beta Beta Beta biology society and was a part of the Wooten Laboratory, researching Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

“My final decision to go into medicine was made late during my time at Auburn as I struggled between a Ph.D. and M.D.,” said Bobo. “Ultimately, I felt medicine was right for me, as it would provide me more opportunities like patient interaction and the potential for research. My father was a surgeon and despite his plea for me not to go into medicine, I felt it was my calling.”

Bobo went on to the Emory University School of Medicine where he received his medical degree. After working with cancer patients during his clinical rotations, Bobo made the decision to go into radiation oncology.

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A team of experts organized by David Steen, biological sciences faculty member in the College of Sciences and Mathematics and researcher with the Auburn University Museum of Natural History’s Alabama Natural Heritage Program, and Blue Aster Studio, a design firm in Bloomington, Indiana, will answer questions about snakes during a special #SnakeTownHall event on Twitter on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 6-8 p.m. CDT.

Steen, who was dubbed the Best Biologist on Twitter by Slate Magazine, regularly engages with the public to advocate on behalf of snakes and prevent their needless killing, particularly when harmless snake species are mistaken for venomous copperheads and cottonmouths. The #SnakeTownHall event is designed to further this cause by educating the public and highlighting the vital role snakes play in the environment as a means of dispelling unfounded fears and prejudices towards these beneficial animals.

During the #SnakeTownHall, participants will receive answers to all of their questions about snakes from the following experts: Steen (@AlongsideWild); Melissa Amarello (@snakeadvocate), co-founder and director of education at Advocates for Snake Preservation; Emily Taylor (@snakeymama), associate professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University; Bree Putman (@breeput), a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California Los Angeles; Sara Ruane (@sara_and_snakes), a postdoctoral researcher at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science; and Jennifer Moore (@DrReptilia), assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Grand Valley State University.

In addition to answering questions, the event will combine science and art as Steen will launch a new set of illustrated snake identification graphics designed by Blue Aster Studio, as well as trivia challenges featuring Blue Aster Studio illustrations. All users of the #SnakeTownHall hashtag will be entered into a random drawing to win prizes that feature Blue Aster Studio designs. For more information on the #SnakeTownHall event, contact David Steen at david.steen@auburn.edu.

David King, professor in the Department of Geosciences, along with Harold Levin, of Washington University, have co-authored a new edition of the widely-used geology textbook, “The Earth Through Time.”

The book, used by the Department of Geosciences since the mid 1990s, chronicles the Earth’s story, from the time the Sun began to radiate its light to the beginning of civilization, while also presenting the history of the Earth and the science behind it. The authors strived to convey the unique perspective and value of historical geology, and to improve the presentation to stimulate interest and enhance the reader's ability to retain essential concepts.

King received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, his master’s degree from the University of Houston, and his doctorate from the University of Missouri.

Since 1980, he has been a faculty member at Auburn University and is presently director of Auburn’s Concepts of Science Program.

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