Martin Karplus, Theodore William Richards professor of chemistry at Harvard University, will present the 1989 Marker Chemical Science Lectures today through Thursday.

"Simulation of Biomolecules" will be the theme of the four lectures, which are open to the public.

The first three talks will be given in 119 Osmond at 8 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. The final talk will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday in S5 Osmond.

According to James Anderson, professor of chemistry and head of the committee which selected Karplus, who is known mainly for his work in molecular dynamics but also for nuclear magnetic resonance theory and reaction kinetics.

"He is one of the most outstanding theoretical chemists of the world," said Joseph Jordan, professor of chemistry and also a member of the lecture committee.

Karplus has been awarded the American Chemical Society Irving Langmuir Award for Chemical Physics; the California Institute of Technology Distinguished Service Award; and the International Society of Quantum Biology Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Quantum Biology.

Karplus is a member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Science as well as the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science.

Juliette Lecomte, assistant professor of chemistry and member of the committee which selected Karplus, said "He's a well-renowned scientist. He's achieved quite a bit in . . . research."

The Marker lecture series include lectures in astronomy, genetic engineering, mathematical sciences and physics as well as the one in the chemical sciences.

Russell Marker, professor emeritus of chemistry and a State College resident, started the lecture series through an endowment in 1984. Marker was instrumental in employing synthetic methods in the steroid hormone industry which has since grown to include the current hormone therapies of today, including the birth control pill.