It seems like Dexter Holland has indeed gone far, kid.
The Offspring frontman graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in molecular biology on Thursday. Holland commenced his studies a number of years ago, but he put them on hold when The Offspring’s touring ramped up. He returned to finish his research and write his dissertation a few years ago, focusing on HIV and immunodeficiency viruses.
“My research is not meant to be a cure or even an immediate step toward a cure, but I believe that by adding to the vast amount of information that we’ve learned about HIV in the last 30 years or so, we’ll get there,” he wrote in an emailed press release. “Toward that end, I’m going to continue to do research, and you’ll probably see some of my research papers get published here and there over the next few years.”
His 175-page thesis is titled “Discovery of Mature MicroRNASequences within the Protein-Coding Regions of Global HIV-1 Genomes: Predictions of Novel Mechanisms for Viral Infection and Pathogenicity,” and can be found here.
Holland isn’t the only musician to hold a degree in a non-music related field. “Weird Al” Yankovic graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in architecture, and Brian May of Queen earned a B.S. in physics and mathematics, later returning in 2007 to achieve a doctorate in astrophysics.
Holland wrote that The Offspring will continue to tour despite his new scientific pursuits, and are performing at a string of festivals and solo shows. Dates can be found below and here.
05/14 – Somerset, WI @ Northern Invasion
05/20 – Columbus, OH @ Rock on the Range
05/26-28 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma
05/27 – San Antonio, TX @ River City Rockfest
6/22 – Montebello, QC @ Montebello Rockfest
07/06 – Airway Heights, WA @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino *
07/07 – Abbotsford, BC @ Abbotsford Centre *
07/08 – Penticton, BC @ South Okanagan Events Centre *
07/10 – Calgary, AB @ Cowboys Stampede *
07/11 – Moose Jaw, SK @ Mosaic Place *
07/12 – Winnipeg, MB @ RBC Convention Centre *
07/14 – Sudbury, ON @ Sudbury Arena *
07/15 – London, ON @ Rock The Park Music Festival
07/27 – Barolo, IT @ Collisioni Festival
07/29 – Gijon, ES @ Tsunami Xix
08/02 – Roma, IT @ Rock in Roma
08/04 – Lignano Sabbiadoro, IT @ Sunset Festival
08/05 – Szekesfehervar, HR @ Fezen Festival
08/07 – Tolmin, SL @ Punk Rock Holiday
08/09 – Lokeren, BE @ Lokerse Feesten
08/11-13 – Landerneau, FR @ Festival Fete du Bruit
08/15-17 – Saint Polten, AT @ FM4 Frequency Festival
08/18-20 – Leipzig, DE @ Highfield Festival
09/08 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *
09/09 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *
09/12 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center *
09/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing *
09/15 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion *
09/16 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater *
09/19 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP *
09/21 – The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion *
09/26 – Chula Vista, CA @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre *
09/27 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre *
09/29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Downtown Las Vegas Events Center *
09/30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre *
* = w/Sublime and Rome
