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CORVALLIS - The 64th annual Biology Colloquium at Oregon State University will have a new twist this year, when some of the Northwest's most noted authors and scientists will collaborate on a look at the worlds of science and literature - and where they intersect.

The colloquium, "Under the Tangled Bank: Biology and Literature," begins with a lecture by David Quammen on Thursday, April 10, and continues with a daylong series of activities on Friday, April 11. All of the events are free and open to the public.

Quammen's lecture will get the colloquium off to a provocative start. His talk, "Big Predators: The Food Chain of Power and Glory," will look at how large, dangerous predators have interacted with humans through history. In addition to looks at Asiatic lions, Siberian tigers, saltwater crocodiles and brown bears, Quammen will discuss biblical, mythic and literary predators, from the Leviathan in the Book of Job to the "Alien" series of films starring Sigourney Weaver.

He is the author of "Song of the Dodo," "Natural Acts," and the forthcoming "Monster of God." Quammen's lecture begins at 7 p.m. Thursday in Milam Auditorium.

The Friday events will begin with a keynote address by Robert Michael Pyle, a lepidopterist and author of "Wintergreen," "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies" and "Chasing Monarchs." His talk, "Under the Tangled Bank," will begin at 9 a.m. in LaSells Stewart Center. The title of his talk and the colloquium refers to Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species."

The rest of the colloquium will include a series of panel discussions, lectures, field trips, readings and other events offered as concurrent sessions. Among some of the highlights:

• Pioneering OSU whale expert Bruce Mate will lead a roundtable discussion among authors and scientists including Elizabeth Grossman, Brenda Peterson, Esther Stutzman and Brandon Brown that looks at writing about large, familiar animals. (10 a.m.)
• Jane Lubchenco, an OSU distinguished professor of zoology and past president of the Ecological Society of America, and author Quammen will discuss "Science, Literature and Social Change." In their conversation, they will look at the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of writing about science for the public. (11:20 a.m.)
• Esther Stutzman, a traditional Yonkalla/Kalapuya/Coos storyteller and author of "When Grandmother Sang Her Song," will tell stories of the natural world and reflect on the importance of such stories to honor, instruct and advise. (11:20 a.m.)
• "Peace, War and Biological Well-Being" is an open discussion on the effects of war on the environment. Tony Vogt, assistant director of the Spring Creek Project at OSU, will lead the discussion. (1:40 p.m.)
• A session called "Chorus of Voices" will feature scientists reading from literature that they say had an important influence on their lives. (2:40 p.m.)

Also scheduled are morning and afternoon field trips to a Mary's River wetland, three different writing workshops, a book signing reception, and several other sessions featuring literature readings and lectures by scientists. For the complete schedule, visit the colloquium website at http://oregonstate.edu/biologycolloquium.

Among the other presenters will be author and biologist Jim Lichatowich of the U.S. Forest Service, who wrote "Salmon Without Rivers"; scientist/authors John Daniel and Pat Muir, who will lead a writing workshop; Jack D. Forbes, a Powhatan/Ren'pe author and winner of the Before Columbus Foundation's American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement recipient; and author Brenda Peterson, who has written two acclaimed essay collections.

The colloquium will conclude with an open discussion among the scientists and authors that examines how society should respond to cascading changes and losses to the natural world. The session begins at 4 p.m.

The scientists and authors also will participate in a final event called "An Evening of Music and Readings." The free public event begins at 7 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center.