A Harvard University biomedical engineer, internationally known for combining art and science, will discuss the creative processes during a free, public presentation for “The Consilience of Art and Science” centennial colloquium on Thursday night, April 9, at the University of California, Davis.

David Edwards, the Gordon McKay professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard and the founder of the Le Laboratoire experimental art and science lab in Paris, will speak on “Culture Lab: Idea Translation Through the Fusion of Art and Science” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Ballrooms A and B in the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC).

This is the last in a series of four lectures in the colloquium, sponsored by the UC Davis Art/Science Fusion experimental learning program. More information about the series is at http://artsciencespeakers.ucdavis.edu/.

Edwards, who founded the Idea Translation Lab at Harvard and Le Laboratoire in Paris, will discuss “how a fusion of art and science catalyzes the translation of ideas in academia, industry and other institutions,” said Art/Science Fusion Program co-director Diane Ullman, an entomology professor who also serves as associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Edwards writes in his book “Artscience: Creativity in the Post Google Generation” that “Catalysts are indispensable. From the nudge that sends the nervous ballerina onto the stage to the enzyme that sparks cellular life, catalysts precipitate change that would otherwise not occur owing to some obstacle. Since obstacles exist, change — or innovation — would be impossible without catalysts.”

Following his public lecture, Edwards will autograph copies of his book.

“Edwards’ experiences and successes are inspirational to those of us building creativity in the art-science borderland,” said Donna Billick, co-director of the Art/Science Fusion Program. “He has discovered how art and science catalyze innovation and applied this to studying science, starting research labs and companies with scientists, writing scientific textbooks, teaching students in the arts, creating cultural organizations with artists, and writing fiction.”

To read more about David Edwards, visit http://people.seas.harvard.edu/~dedwards/, or to read excerpts from his book, visit http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/EDWART.html.

In conjunction with the art-science colloquium, a juried art exhibition is being held until April 12 at the Pence Gallery in Davis. The exhibition features work from one of the colloquium speakers, Catherine Chalmers, as well as 30 regional artists selected for the extraordinary art-science connections made by their work.