ARDMORE -- The Swine Flu or the H1N1 virus has been making headlines since April. Most of us understand its dangers and ways to prevent its spread to other people. But on Monday night one local virologist explained the science behind the H1N1 virus - how influenza begins and how the idea of swine flu is not new.

While many might squirm at the thought of viruses, Dr. Marilyn Roossinck makes a living studying them. And on Monday the virologist shared her knowledge with a lecture titled in part - "Pigs and People" to educate people about the biology behind the H1N1 virus.

"This is a very interesting virus. In fact, it's one of my favorite viruses because it has two very different modes of evolution so it's quite different from other viruses,” Dr. Roosinck explained.

Like all influenza, Dr. Roossinck says the H1N1 virus originated in birds, and then spread through pigs to humans. Pigs are a common link to people, and Dr. Roossinck says that's most likely how the other pandemics of this century spread. But she says this one appears to be much more mild.

"There have been flu pandemics in the past have been really bad and I want people to understand the likelihood of that happening again is quite small. The world is different now and medicine is different now,” Dr. Roossinck stated.

David Jones an Ardmore teacher, was one of the dozens of people who came out to the lecture. He even encouraged many of his students to attend in order to learn more about the history of influenza.

"Flu and influenza is here and now, it's real. And (I hope) to keep my family and kids healthier and all our students too," Jones said.

Dr. Roossinck pointed out that the seasonal flu remains much more lethal in the U.S. than the H1N1 flu. And said her main goal of the presentation was to ease fears about today's Swine Flu and replace it with facts.

"I think education is the best way to get over fear and to know more about something is the best way to not be afraid of it anymore,” Dr. Roossinck said.

The lecture was part of the Noble Foundation's "Explorations in Science" program. The next presentation in the series is scheduled for February, with prosthetic robotics taking center state.