April 20, Monday -- Author Mary Roach, described by Kirkus Reviews as "one of the funniest and most madcap of science writers," will talk about the challenges and techniques of writing about science for a lay audience in a free public lecture sponsored by the University Writing Program. The talk will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20, in the AGR Room at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center on the UC Davis campus.

For her latest book, "Bonk," on the scientific study of coitus, Roach says that she "spent two years wheedling and conniving my way behind (closed) doors to bring you the answers to the questions Dr. Ruth never asked: Is your penis three inches longer than you think? Is vaginal orgasm a myth? Can a dead man get an erection? Why doesn't Viagra help women -- or, for that matter, pandas?"

She is also the author of "Spook," about investigations into the afterlife, and "Stiff," about the use of human cadavers in medical research.

For more information about the event, contact Amy Clarke at amclarke@ucdavis.edu or (530) 574-1016, or Sasha Abramsky at sabramsky@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-4359.