Science and Math Colloquium Series
Science and Math Colloquium Series
The Science and Mathematics Colloquium Series invites distinguished
speakers from science and mathematics disciplines to present current,
exciting scientific research to Columbia College faculty, staff, and
students, as well as Chicago's South Loop community. Talks are intended
to introduce a general audience to a wide variety of important advances
in science and math, their potential applications, and public policy
implications. Reflecting the arts emphasis at Columbia College, select
talks examine the intersections among science, math, art, and the media.
All lectures are free and open to the public. A brief reception will precede each talk in the Ferguson Auditorium Lobby.
Location: Ferguson Auditorium, 600 S. Michigan Ave.
Time: Talks will begin at 5 pm unless noted otherwise.
May 1
Opt Art: Using Mathematical Optimization Techniques to Create Pictures, Portraits, and Sculpture
Dr. Robert Bosch, Robert and Eleanor Biggs Professor of Natural Science, Oberlin College
Optimization is the branch of mathematics concerned with finding the best way to complete a task. It has been put to good use in a great number of diverse disciplines: advertising, agriculture, biology, business, economics, engineering, manufacturing, medicine, telecommunications, and transportation (to name but a few). In this lecture, its amazing utility will by showcased by demonstrating its applicability in the area of visual art, by using dominoes, mosaics, and continuous lines to create novel works and re-create familiar works.
May 13
Special manifest Science and Math Colloquium talk in the Ferguson Auditorium from 5-6 PM.
It will be preceded by a light reception.
Toward Energy Independence and an End to Global Warming - Lessons and Solutions from Biology
Dr. Laurens Mets, Dept. of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago
He will be discuss his work, conducted with colleagues at Oak Ridge National Labs, in bioengineering algal plants to create hydrogen that can then be used as an energy source.
Previous Spring 2008 Talks:
February 7*
American Apartheid: Tracing the Art, Science and Ethics of Medical Racism
Ms. Harriet Washington, Visiting Scholar/DePaul University, medical ethicist and author
For several hundred years, U.S. bias against black Americans in the medical sphere has reflected the political, social and economic realities of the larger culture. In addition, medical beliefs have both reflected and been fed by artistic trends, mores and practices and have been reinforced by literary movements and semantic strategies. This talk will trace some of these and indicate how this history affects today's medical-research practices. Visit and talk co-sponsored
by the Liberal Education Dept. (Critical Encounters: Poverty and Privilege Event) *(4:30 Start time)
February 21
Avian Influenza: Separating Fact, Fiction, and Faith
Dr. A Townsend Peterson, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas
The highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 has swept across Asia, Europe, and about half of Africa, all within the past 10 years. Concern about flu pandemics has made this strain a dominant research priority, yet many very basic questions remain unanswered, including the identity of the reservoir of this strain of avian flu, the role of wild versus domestic birds in its transmission, and its likely future spread. Dr. Peterson will present recent research both in the field (China, Philippines, Ghana) and laboratory that sheds light on these questions. This lecture will take place in Collins Auditorium, 624 S. Michigan Ave.
March 6
Plasma Cells: Immune Factories of the Body
Dr. Heather Minges Wols, Professor of Biology, Science and Mathematics Dept., Columbia College Chicago
We are bombarded with germs on a daily basis, yet we are rarely sick! This protection is due, in part, to specific white blood cells of our immune system called plasma cells. The sole function of these cells is to produce immune proteins called antibodies, which circulate through our body surveying for pathogens. Learn how these important cells work and survive in our body and their importance in vaccinations.
April 3
Giant Earthquakes in the Midwest: Hazard, Hype, and Hard Choices
Dr. Seth Stein, the William Deering Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University
Charles Richter, developer of the magnitude scale, said that "only fools, charlatans, and liars predict earthquakes." While predicting the precise time and location of an earthquake is not possible, scientists have developed reasonably good systems to provide early warnings to people in at risk areas. Dr. Seth Stein will discuss the misconceptions and actual risks associated with the Midwest's New Madrid Fault System, the historically active seismic zone nearest to Chicago.
April 17
Vaccines and Therapies Against the Deadly Ebola Virus
Dr. John M. Dye Jr., Principal Investigator, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Dietrich, MD
Scientists at USAMRIID are currently investigating vaccination strategies and antibody therapies against filoviruses, Marburg and Ebola viruses. In this lecture, Dr. Dye will discuss the background of the Ebola virus and the difficulties in working within biosafety level 3 and 4 facilities to develop countermeasures against a virus that has a 90% mortality rate in humans.
(*Critical Encounters-Poverty and Privilege event)
All lectures are free and open to the public. A brief reception will precede each talk in the Ferguson Auditorium Lobby.
Spring 2008
Location: Ferguson Auditorium, 600 S. Michigan Ave.
Time: Talks will begin at 5 pm unless noted otherwise.
May 1
Opt Art: Using Mathematical Optimization Techniques to Create Pictures, Portraits, and Sculpture
Dr. Robert Bosch, Robert and Eleanor Biggs Professor of Natural Science, Oberlin College
Optimization is the branch of mathematics concerned with finding the best way to complete a task. It has been put to good use in a great number of diverse disciplines: advertising, agriculture, biology, business, economics, engineering, manufacturing, medicine, telecommunications, and transportation (to name but a few). In this lecture, its amazing utility will by showcased by demonstrating its applicability in the area of visual art, by using dominoes, mosaics, and continuous lines to create novel works and re-create familiar works.
May 13
Special manifest Science and Math Colloquium talk in the Ferguson Auditorium from 5-6 PM.
It will be preceded by a light reception.
Toward Energy Independence and an End to Global Warming - Lessons and Solutions from Biology
Dr. Laurens Mets, Dept. of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago
He will be discuss his work, conducted with colleagues at Oak Ridge National Labs, in bioengineering algal plants to create hydrogen that can then be used as an energy source.
Previous Spring 2008 Talks:
February 7*
American Apartheid: Tracing the Art, Science and Ethics of Medical Racism
Ms. Harriet Washington, Visiting Scholar/DePaul University, medical ethicist and author
For several hundred years, U.S. bias against black Americans in the medical sphere has reflected the political, social and economic realities of the larger culture. In addition, medical beliefs have both reflected and been fed by artistic trends, mores and practices and have been reinforced by literary movements and semantic strategies. This talk will trace some of these and indicate how this history affects today's medical-research practices. Visit and talk co-sponsored
by the Liberal Education Dept. (Critical Encounters: Poverty and Privilege Event) *(4:30 Start time)
February 21
Avian Influenza: Separating Fact, Fiction, and Faith
Dr. A Townsend Peterson, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas
The highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 has swept across Asia, Europe, and about half of Africa, all within the past 10 years. Concern about flu pandemics has made this strain a dominant research priority, yet many very basic questions remain unanswered, including the identity of the reservoir of this strain of avian flu, the role of wild versus domestic birds in its transmission, and its likely future spread. Dr. Peterson will present recent research both in the field (China, Philippines, Ghana) and laboratory that sheds light on these questions. This lecture will take place in Collins Auditorium, 624 S. Michigan Ave.
March 6
Plasma Cells: Immune Factories of the Body
Dr. Heather Minges Wols, Professor of Biology, Science and Mathematics Dept., Columbia College Chicago
We are bombarded with germs on a daily basis, yet we are rarely sick! This protection is due, in part, to specific white blood cells of our immune system called plasma cells. The sole function of these cells is to produce immune proteins called antibodies, which circulate through our body surveying for pathogens. Learn how these important cells work and survive in our body and their importance in vaccinations.
April 3
Giant Earthquakes in the Midwest: Hazard, Hype, and Hard Choices
Dr. Seth Stein, the William Deering Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University
Charles Richter, developer of the magnitude scale, said that "only fools, charlatans, and liars predict earthquakes." While predicting the precise time and location of an earthquake is not possible, scientists have developed reasonably good systems to provide early warnings to people in at risk areas. Dr. Seth Stein will discuss the misconceptions and actual risks associated with the Midwest's New Madrid Fault System, the historically active seismic zone nearest to Chicago.
April 17
Vaccines and Therapies Against the Deadly Ebola Virus
Dr. John M. Dye Jr., Principal Investigator, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Dietrich, MD
Scientists at USAMRIID are currently investigating vaccination strategies and antibody therapies against filoviruses, Marburg and Ebola viruses. In this lecture, Dr. Dye will discuss the background of the Ebola virus and the difficulties in working within biosafety level 3 and 4 facilities to develop countermeasures against a virus that has a 90% mortality rate in humans.
(*Critical Encounters-Poverty and Privilege event)