Celebrated autism expert Dr. Temple Grandin, named one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century by the American Psychological Association, is the first speaker in the Exploratorium’s Mind Lecture Series, a five-event program starting today and continuing through February.

The talks coincide with “Mind,” a major new Exploratorium exhibit in which visitors experience their own thoughts, feelings and actions in provocative and unexpected ways.

Today’s program, at 7 p.m. in the McBean Theater, is called “Visual Thinking, Animal Behavior, and Design.”

Grandin, an acclaimed author and animal scientist who is autistic, will share insights on human and animal minds.

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Other notable lectures will be conducted by Dr. Paul Ekman, speaking about his influential study on human facial expressions at 2 p.m. Jan. 26; and creativity expert Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who appears at 2 p.m. Feb. 9.

Lectures are included in the admission price, $9 to $14. Reservations for the lectures are required; visit www.ticketweb.com to secure a seat. The Exploratorium is located at 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. Call (415) 561-0363 or visit www.exploratorium.edu.