The University of Utah’s Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) celebrates its 30th anniversary and the retirement of its longtime director, Louisa Stark, with a fundraising gala concert on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Proceeds from the gala support the GSLC’s mission to make science and health easy for everyone to understand, and helps expand its science education resources, provided at no cost to millions of students, teachers and lifelong learners.

The 7 p.m. concert will feature the Utah Medical Orchestra performing original compositions from the center’s popular multimedia science education materials, along with distinguished speakers and special musical guests. Before the concert, attendees can enjoy a 5 p.m. reception featuring engaging hands-on science experiences and a science art exhibit.

The event will honor Stark, whose leadership helped shape the center’s far-reaching impact in science education. It will also formally announce the center’s new name—The Stark Science Learning Center (SSLC)—in recognition of Stark’s extraordinary contributions to the center.

“The legacy of the GSLC—now SSLC—is one of excellence in science education,” said Rachel Hess, system chief research officer and associate vice president for research for University of Utah Health. “We honor SSLC’s 30-year impact on science education and science literacy, as well as honor Dr. Louisa Stark’s extraordinary career. This gala is a tribute to SSLC’s history and an investment in its future.”

Founded at the University of Utah, the center is widely recognized for its commitment to high-quality, research-based science education. Its flagship platform, Learn.Genetics, reaches millions of learners each year and is one of the most widely used resources for teaching science and health in classrooms worldwide.

In addition to serving learners worldwide, the center also provides valuable science communication tools to researchers, clinicians and partners both at the university and beyond. The event reflects the center’s distinctive role in advancing public understanding of science while fostering collaboration among educators, scientists, artists and health professionals.

Stark joined the center in 1999, became co-director in 2001 with Jennifer Logan, and was named sole director in 2004. She instituted several key innovations in science education. She recognized the importance of involving users in co-designing educational materials and programs and led the development of the center’s effective methods for engaging with the communities it serves. She also initiated randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of the educational materials the center produces. Stark recognized the synergies of having an “in-house” team that can carry out all facets of a project from envisioning to production to roll-out to research and evaluation. As a result, the center has grown from an initial staff of three to today’s multi-talented team of 14.

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Event details

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Libby Gardner Concert Hall
1375 Presidents Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah

Reception | 5 p.m.

• Hands-on science activities and science art exhibit

Program | 7 p.m.

• Concert and speakers

Tickets

$35 | General Admission
$20 | Students and ages 5-18
$100-$500 | VIP and group seating available

Buy tickets here.

Parking

On Saturday, A, U and E lots are free. There is also paid and free street parking nearby. A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available on Presidents Circle. For wheelchair access, use the east atrium entrance and turn left for the elevator.

• Kagan Breitenbach Senior Producer, Genetic Science Learning Center
  (435) 219-9223 kagan.breitenbach@utah.edu