Nathan Tublitz, Professor of Biology here at the U of O, will have a short commute on Friday, November 16th, when he comes to talk to the Eugene Natural History Society. Unless he goes home first, he will walk from his office on the second floor of Huestis Hall, down one flight of stairs, out to the sidewalk and over to Willamette Hall, the next building to the West--Two minutes max. But his journey to that office has covered a lot more ground, both intellectually and geographically.

Nathan's interest in the biology of behavior began at an early age, six or seven. In his words, he was one of those nerds who knew early on he'd be a scientist.

He graduated from Reed College in Portland with a double major in biology and psychology. From Reed he first went to Princeton but didn't care for it at all and left for the Department of Zoology at the University of Washington where he completed his PhD, working with Jim Truman. He then nabbed a postdoc at Cambridge University in England. (This is not easy; which speaks volumes about Nathan's capabilities as a neurobiologist.)

So now you have the barest outline of the where of his intellectual journey. Also interesting to know is that he was born in New Jersey but soon thereafter moved with his family to Bogotá, Colombia, which helps explain his facility with languages. (He's studying Italian right now.)

Nathan came to the University of Oregon in 1986. He began teaching neurobiology to undergraduates shortly thereafter, and still does so. (At the end of our interview he said he was glad I had showed up, because a bunch of students had been coming in to complain about his last exam and he needed a break.) His research in the neurobiology of behavior is internationally recognized.

When asked for some decisions he has made that have had a fundamental impact on his professional life, Nathan did not hesitate: First, picking Reed. “Reed changed my life.” Second, going to Cambridge University. Besides his postdoc he has done 2 ½ half sabbaticals there, so he has spent almost six years of his life in those hallowed halls.

The question “What do you do for relaxation?” brought an unusually lengthy pause in the conversation, as well as a vaguely troubled expression. Changing it to “What do you do when you're not working?” resulted in a flood. “I play squash, I listen to music, sometimes I play music, I hike, bicycle, garden, travel, study Italian, work on environmental stuff; I'm on lots of boards, . . .” Clearly, relaxation does not signify, in Professor Tublitz's life.

Nathan would give no hints about what we can expect in his lecture, “Blondes, Jews, Lawyers, and George Bush: the Neurobiology and Immunobiology of Humor.” He did say it would be boring, and that he expected many in the audience to nod off. He also said he has taught sign language to chimpanzees. I believe the latter.

Please join us for what is sure to be an enjoyable evening, Friday, November 16, 2007.


-John Carter


Cartoon from The New Yorker submitted by Nathan, Past President of Eugene Natural History Society.

Those who know Nathan intuitively understand Nathan's hesitation to the question about relaxation, he tirelessly pursues means to implement his core values into the spheres where he works. He is a past President, not just of the ENHS, but of the UO Faculty Senate as well. Last summer some of us read his Guest Viewpoint piece in the Register Guard: “Mr. Kilkenny, What Is the Real Cost?” 7/17/07. In this op-ed piece Nathan posed questions to the UO Director of Athletics, Patrick J. Kilkenny. Nathan asked eight questions in the piece, Socratic in nature, giving the reader clarity into the debate regarding the funding and primacy of the role of athletics at an institute of higher education. Here's #8. “Is the UO an institution devoted to education with a few sports teams, or are we an entertainment business that happens to give a few degrees on the side?”

Recognizing the growing attention that sports seems to be generating, and the subsequent conflict for a university whose ultimate responsibility is educating its students and stimulating research, Nathan cofounded The Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA), an alliance of 56 Division 1A university faculty senates.* “Its aim is to promote comprehensive reform of intercollegiate sports. The need for reform of intercollegiate athletics is serious and requires immediate and focused action.” Coalition issues “include but are not limited to academic integrity, athlete welfare, governance of athletics at the school and conference level, finances, and commercialization.”

I chose to mention this side of Nathan to illuminate his ardor for his beliefs, simply one tentacle of a dedicated professor, a community educator and a national activist whose goals should resonate with this audience. We're very proud to have him in our midst.

Nathan's academic history: Google Department of Biology, University of Oregon: then click on “People.”

*Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics: Just Google COIA. Or type: www.neuro.uoregon.edu/~tublitz/COIA/index