Holden Thorp 2025

2025 Burnett Seminar, 10/29 @1–3:30 p.m./Rizzo Center

Former UNC-CH Chancellor Holden Thorp — “Autism: Perspectives from Life and Science”

Prominent chemist, professor, editor and entrepreneur Holden Thorp ’86 is a former UNC-CH chancellor and is editor-in-chief of the Science family of journals. He was diagnosed with autism at age 53 and will present insights gained from his personal journey and experiences, give examples of the value of autistic thinkers in the STEM fields, and highlight current research in the field of autism. The presentation will acknowledge the challenges that autistic people often experience, will highlight the strengths that autistic minds bring, and will exemplify how success in the presence of an autism diagnosis is possible.

Watch Holden Thorp’s 2025 Burnett Seminar presentation here.