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CORVALLIS, Ore. - For more than 40 years, David Perlman has had a front-row seat at the greatest show on Earth - science. The San Francisco Chronicle science writer and editor will talk about his life reporting on the frontlines of science when he speaks at Oregon State University as part of the John Byrne Lecture Series.

The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the C&E Auditorium of OSU's LaSells Stewart Center. It is free and open to the public.

When Perlman began his tenure at the San Francisco Chronicle, there was no such thing as a personal computer. Color television was just becoming commonplace.

The human race was striving to reach the moon, and just beginning to delve into the mysteries of genetics. Polio was in full retreat, but hadn't quite been wiped out.

Global warming? The phrase hadn't been invented yet.

Since his debut with the Chronicle, Perlman has reported on such developments as AIDS, earthquakes, global warming and biomedical research. He also has written frequent analyses of major science policy issues, including the environment, nuclear energy, arms control and space exploration.

He has not only won most of the awards presented for science journalism, he has had one named after him. The American Geophysical Union named its award for science journalism in his honor.

Perlman's OSU talk is titled "Confessions of a Science Watcher: Making Sense of a Messy World."

Asked to describe his lecture, Perlman said, "I'll talk about the role science reporters try to play in informing the public about advances in science and particularly about the impact science is having these days on public policy - global climate change, stem cell research, depleted uranium weapons, etc. - all from the viewpoint of a reporter who can make plenty of mistakes even if honestly, but who has been privileged to experience the joy of adventure and discovery…"

"That sounds plenty pompous," he added, "although I don't intend to be that way."

The Byrne Lecture Series, co-sponsored by Oregon Sea Grant and OSU's College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, is named for former OSU President John Byrne, who was himself an ocean scientist. The series highlights prominent players in ocean and atmospheric sciences, and has examined global warming, whale research, salmon recovery and the health of fisheries. Speakers have included Gov. John Kitzhaber, classical musician Martin Goldsmith and marine mammal expert Bruce Mate.