Biology Professor George Langford will appear in a Public Broadcasting Station program about minority scientists, titled "BreakThrough: The Changing Face of Science In America."
The three-part program will air today and on April 15 and April 22, from 9 to 11 p.m.
Langford and two other minority cell biologists, University of California at San Francisco Professor Wilfred Denetclaw, Jr. and University of Puerto Rico Professor Gladys Escalona de Motta were chosen to appear on the second part titled "With Nerve and Muscle," which airs on April 15 at 9 p.m.
"Breakthrough profiles 20 contemporary African-American, Latino and Native-American scientists and engineers who are making advances in biology, astronomy, physics, mathematics and many other scientific disciplines," according to a press release from the show's producer, Blackside, Inc.
The purpose of this show is to "increase the awareness of the daily contributions people of color make to the sciences and increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue careers in science, mathematics and engineering," the publication said.
The show will be narrated by Andre Braugher, star of the NBC show, "Homicide: Life on the Street" and will be separated into a series of six, hour-long programs.
According to the publication, this segment "gives viewers a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of cells and the scientists who strive to decode their secrets" and features "George Langford, the E.E. Just Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College."
Langford said he was picked because he was at "full professor level, well-established in my own field of research and can represent the minority community."
Henry Hampton, the executive producer of the program, said "We tried to find a fair representation of successful scientists at very different levels and with different life experiences," according to the press release.
"We want the viewers to get the sense that these individuals are endowed with talents and, given support and opportunity, can make enormous contributions," Hampton added.
"The program is designed to show scientists from the minority community that have been successful in their field," Langford said.
Langford said the producers of the program asked representatives in his field to recommend "people that could articulate the issues that face the minority community and who are well respected in their field."
The PBS show wanted to illuminate both junior and senior scientists, Langford said.
Langford said PBS shot 24 hours worth of videotape of him working in his lab at Dartmouth and in his marine biology lab in Woods Hole, MA.
He was also video-taped at a meeting of the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., Langford said.
"The producers also took shots of my son and I and asked me to speak about my background and family," Langford said.
According to Dartmouth College News Service, a special Dartmouth screening of "With Nerve and Muscle," will be shown in 13 Carpenter on Wednesday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the department of biology and the E.E. Just program.
