OSU Alumni Association
2008 Spring Term
Science Strand
Bird Flight: How, Why and From Whence
Thursday, April 3, 1:30
Doug Warrick, OSU Assistant Professor of Zoology, will guide the class
through the basic physics, anatomy, evolution, and ecological
significance of bird flight — from hummingbirds to albatrosses.
Host: Skip Wenz
The Known Unknowns of Dam Removal
Thursday, April 10, 1:30Desiree Tullos, OSU Assistant Professor of Ecological Engineering, will discuss her field studies on the effects of dam removal on Oregon's riparian habitats and aquatic ecosystems.
Host: Skip Wenz
Exploring Your Human Genome
Thursday, April 17 & 24, 1:30
Dr. Kari van Zee, Workshop Instructor for Science Education Partnerships at OSU, will conduct these two class/lab workshops in room 138 of Crop Science Building. First day: after introduction to DNA, you will isolate human genomic DNA from your own cheek cells and then use PCR to explore a small target region. Second day: after discussion of DNA sequencing and genomics, gel electrophoresis will be used to examine and compare the DNA sequences produced in the PCR reactions. You will use standard lab procedures, but no
experience is required.
Limit: first 24 to register for both days. Car pooling will be organized.
Host: Denis Jarvis
Nanomedicines to Target Solid Tumors
Thursday, May 1, 1:30
John Mata, OSU Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss
the current status and future opportunities of his work with small
self-activating peptides which have shown remarkable ability to target
cancer cells based on the unique microenvironment present within tumors.
His current project has demonstrated the feasibility of developing
nanomedicines capable of delivering therapeutic agents to tumors.
Although still in its infancy, this work may provide new opportunities
for the development of safe and effective therapies for cancer and other
medical conditions.
Host: Don Rounds
Dietary Strategies for Prostate Cancer Prevention
Thursday, May 8, 1:30
Emily Ho, OSU Assistant Professor and faculty member in both the
Department of Nutrition & Exercise Sciences and in the Linus Pauling
Institute, will discuss recent work performed in her lab examining
mechanisms by which traditional Asian foods, like soy, tea, and
cruciferous vegetables may be protective against prostate cancer.
Host: Don Rounds
Biosolar Hydrogen from Water: A Sustainable Energy Solution
Thursday, May 15, 1:30
Roger Ely, OSU Associate Professor, and PhD students, Liz Burrows, Jed
Eberly, and Dick Dickson, Department of Biological & Ecological
Engineering, will discuss recent developments in their research into
solar-supported production of hydrogen gas by cyanobacteria. A major aim
of this research is to develop solidstate biocassettes that could be
configured as sheets. These films, or designed layers, for example,
could be versatile, portable, efficient, and inexpensive.
Host: Don Rounds
Staphylococcal Resistance: Battlefield to Battlefront
Thursday, May 22, 1:30
David T. Bearden, OSU Associate Professor of Pharmacy, will summarize
his recent groundbreaking antibiotic research. Antibacterials have been
variably effective in the fight against Staphylococcus aureus. This
important
pathogen has outwitted most treatment options of the day. While
resistance has evolved over the past 60 years, an epidemiologic shift
has moved resistant organisms from the hospital to the community.
Current research is ongoing into the best treatment and prevention in
this new era of infection.
Host: Ron Coffey
The Dark Side of the Universe
Thursday, May 29, 1:30
Albert Stetz, OSU Professor Emeritus of Physics, will explore an
exciting new topic of cosmology, which is one of the most active areas
in science at this time. It seems that the universe is being torn apart
by a mysterious force called dark energy. Most of the actual matter in
the universe is in the form of "dark matter," which has never been
detected directly. In this talk he will examine the evidence leading to
these remarkable conclusions.
Host: Ron Coffey
Visit H. J. Edwards Experimental Forest in Cascades
Thursday, June 5, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
October, 2007, Ecosystem scientist, Fred Swanson gave a class on the H.
J. Andrews Experimental Forest in the Cascades, the site of intensive
studies of old growth forests, streams, landslides and watersheds since
1948. Now, he will conduct a trip to the site itself on a pleasant June
day with good company. We shall travel by luxury bus, 2 hours each way,
departing promptly from the Church parking lot at 9 AM, and returning by
5 PM. On site the bus will take us place to place, but there will be
optional walks for details. Bring a sack lunch for the picnic area.
Coffee and chilled water will be supplied. Limit: first 40 to register.
Cost $22 (Submit Payment with Class Registration)
Host: Denis Jarvis