The University of Washington is considered to be one of the leading research colleges in the nation. Groundbreaking medical and scientific discoveries are everyday news, but did you know the university also houses one of the nation’s leading sex experts?

That would be Dr. Pepper Schwartz, professor of Sociology and expert in the field of sex, relationships and families.

She earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Yale and has written more than a dozen books, including “The Great Sex Weekend,” “Everything You Know About Love and Sex is Wrong,” and “Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Sex and Character.”

You may have seen her perky face peering out from the pages of Glamour magazine — she wrote a monthly column, “Sex and Health,” for seven years, co-authored with Dr. Janet Lever.

She also wrote a column for American Baby Magazine, “Talking About Sex,” as well as columns for LifetimeTV.com, Classmates.com, Lifetime Magazine and Classmates Magazine.

She is also the relationship expert for the online dating service, perfectmatch.com.

Schwartz lectures Jan. 28 at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church in Winslow, as the final guest of the Bainbridge Library Speakers Forum. Her topic will be “What is Love? And Why Do We Care So Much?”

Don’t expect a lecture filled with hearts and flowers. Schwartz has earned a loyal following with her frank and open discussion style. No topic, and I mean no topic, is off limits.

Her column in American Baby covered topics such as advising a husband on how to show his pregnant wife that he still found her desirable, and how to still be partners and not just parents after baby arrives.

Her advice in this case: “Children are so absorbing that it’s easy to have them become the focus of your marriage, but you risk falling into the role of parents rather than lovers. Reinvesting in your relationship should be a priority. Taking care of your emotional intimacy isn’t a luxury but a necessity.”

Her online column for MSN called “Sex.Net with Dr. Pepper” included advice on how to use the Internet to put the spark back in a relationship that had gone stale. No imagination? No problem:

“The Internet is just full of ideas no one in your family has ever had for about the last 4,000 years. Just type in sex and follow random leads. Of course, there will be some acts you’ll wish you still had never heard of but on the other hand, there are descriptions of technique that range from romantic to rowdy — surely something for everyone.”

Due to the anticipated popularity of Schwartz’s lecture it is being held at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, corner of Winslow Way and Madison Avenue N. instead of at the library. There will be plenty of room for bashful folks to hide in the back pews.

Dr. Pepper Schwartz presents “What is Love? And Why Do We Care So Much?” at 4 p.m. Jan. 28, at the above mentioned location. Tickets are $10 at the door.