Dr. Mike Cross, an assistant chemistry professor at Northern Essex Community College, will present a White Fund lecture on recognizing quackery.

This presentation has been postponed due to this week’s weather.  As soon as the new date is set, it will be posted.

A White Fund lecture titled “Snake Oil: Can You Tell Fact from Fiction?” will be presented by Northern Essex Community College Assistant Chemistry Professor Mike Cross at Lawrence High School’s Performing Arts Center, 70-71 North Parish Road, Lawrence on Thursday, February 12, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

This event, which is free and open to the public, is offered in partnership with Northern Essex.

The late 19th and early 20th century is considered the “Golden Age of Quackery”; a time when snake oil salesmen sold patent medicines to an unsuspecting public.  This lecture presents many of the scientific and medical “quack” tonics and devices so prevalent during this time period as well as their modern counterparts.  Can you tell scientific fact from fiction or will you fall prey to the snake oil hucksters of today?

Before joining the faculty at NECC, Dr. Cross was an instructor of chemistry and department chair at the College of Eastern Utah. He believes that education should be fun and exciting. He enjoys incorporating demonstrations and magic tricks into his teaching.

Dr. Cross holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Utah where he specialized in oxidative lesions in DNA and RNA.

For additional information on this lecture contact Martha Leavitt, director of operations – Lawrence campus, at mleavitt@necc.mass.edu

The views expressed in the White Fund Enlightenment Series Presentations are the views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Northern Essex Community College.

The White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth, and children. The audience is encouraged to seek wisdom, cultural enrichment, and intellectual enhancement by attending and participating.

Funded by a generous financial gift from the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, the White Fund Lecture Series has provided cultural conversation featuring well-known lecturers in fields such as history, literature, travel, the arts, and politics. The White Fund is collaborating with Northern Essex on this series.

For additional information or to be notified of upcoming events in the White Fund Enlightenment Series, call 978-738-7403 or visit the White Fund website.