The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted the 13th annual Henry J. Shine Lecture, coinciding with Shines 90th birthday celebration in the Chemistry building at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The event started with an introduction by Carol Korzeniewski, chairwoman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and was followed by an introduction about Shine by Interim President Lawrence Schovanec. Guigen Li, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, gave the guest speaker introduction.

Its an endowed lectureship, Korzeniewski said. It was endowed by the friends, and colleagues of Professor Shine, friends, colleagues and former students.

The reason for the continuation of the lecture series, she said, was because the series brings distinguished researchers from around the world to Tech to interact with students and discuss science.

The event was open to the public, she said, but most of the people who attended were from the chemistry department along with science departments, engineering departments and the Tech Health Sciences Center.

After the lecture, Korseniewski said a Q-and-A session occurred, followed by refreshments and a birthday cake to be presented to Shine in the foyer of the building.

He turned 90 in January, she said. Thats what makes this years lecture special.

A group of faculty specializing in organic chemistry selected the guest speaker with preparation taking place a year before the event happened, Korzeniewski said.

The speakers are very prominent, often members of the National Academy of Science, she said. Weve had Nobel Laureates.

Li, Korzeniewski said, played an important role in getting the guest speaker to participate in the lecture series.

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MIT professor speaks at 13th annual Shine Lecture