Articles in Science & technology
May 20: Growing Miracles — 5 Modern Wonder Drugs from the Medicinal Plant Garden
Kathleen Hull, MD, will discuss the history, botany, and basic pharmacology of five modern wonder drugs derived from plant materials
May 18: Lugar Center’s 6th Annual Energy Forum
The event features talks from various panels regarding a chosen renewable energy topic. This years topics include Waste to Energy, Chemicals, Fuels and Heat. Keynote by David Gair, CEO of Pacific Oil Products. Optional tour …
May 16: Gabe Filippelli explores the future of oceans and international relations
The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource?
May 2: Discuss cyberseurity
Mid North Shepherd Center Great Decisions series: The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?
April 26: Indiana—The Birthplace of Translational Research in Mental Health
Lucy Jane King, MD and Alan Schmetzer, MD will discuss and sign copies of their new book Dr. Edenharter’s Dream: How Science Improved the Humane Care of the Mentally Ill in Indiana, 1896-2012.
April 24: Science on Tap — Farming and the City
Local, sustainable food production is cited as one strategy for addressing urban health and environmental concerns. Local food has the potential to reduce the energy needed to grow and transport food – but does it actually do so?
April 23: Hoosier spaceman David Wolf
Indianapolis native David Wolf is one of the most important astronauts in the US space program. Wolf has been to space four times. In total Wolf has logged more than 4,040 hours in space. He is also a veteran of 7 spacewalks totaling 41hrs 17min in both Russian and American spacesuits.
April 21: Arts and Science Day for Kids
Hands on activities for kids. Planned by CFI-Indiana Secular Family Network-CFI Kids. Activities will be targeted to the 5-10-year-old age group but older and younger kids are also welcome.
April 18: Twisted — A Closer Look at Forensic DNA Analysis
Dr. Krista Latham (Assistant Professor of Biology and Anthropology and Director of the University of Indianapolis Molecular Anthropology Laboratory) discusses the use of DNA in medicolegal casework. Dr. Latham will introduce the audience to basic concepts in forensic DNA analysis, as well as discuss the complexities and misconceptions of interpreting the DNA information derived from crime scene samples through case examples.
April 18: A View from the Center of the Universe — Reconciling Individual Rights with Universal Values in Environmental Conservation
Eric Dannenmaier addresses the tension between individual rights (having things “our own way”) and the public interest (advancing values that serve the broader community). How do we cooperate as a species to make rules that will help us survive as a species? That has become the central dilemma of environmental law and policy
April 13: Carbon Nation
Carbon Nation is an optimistic, solutions-based, non-preachy, non-partisan, big tent film that shows tackling climate change boosts the economy, increases national & energy security and promotes health & a clean environment.
April 11: Frances Champagne — Epigenetics and Early Life Experiences
Dr. Champagne’s research explores the implications of epigenetic influences for the transmission of behavior across generations and the molecular mechanisms through which behavioral effects are achieved.
April 10: Why Do Boys Drive So Fast? An Exploration of Gender Roles, Emotion, and Risk Perception
So do you want to smoke, drink while drunk, and engage in unsafe sex? Prof. Nancy Rhodes wants to get to know you , and figure out why you are so much like a tennage boy.
April 5: History of contraception
Who’d have thought contraception would be a hot political issue in the 21st century? Let’s get some background so we can understand the messages within the shouting. Jeffrey Rothenberg, MD is an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice-Chair for Faculty Development and Alumni Affairs at IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He will discuss the history of contraception focusing on historical milestones and culminating in what we are seeing in current events today.
March 29: Wes Jackson — Consulting the Genius of the Place
Wes Jackson is President of The Land Institute. His most recent work, Consulting the Genius of the Place: An Ecological Approach to a New Agriculture, was published by Counterpoint Press in 2010.
March 19: Jennifer McCreight on Indiana Theocracy
Jennifer McCreight is the architect of Boobquake, an experiment designed to test a claim made by Kazem Seddiqi, an Islamic cleric.
March 15: The Hunt for Dark Matter — What is the Universe made of?
Dr. Rafael Lang of the Physics Department at Purdue University will lead a discussion concerning our current understanding of the Universe while illustrating a range of different observations. From this, it will become clear that Dark Matter is a key component, vastly more relevant than all the known matter taken together, be it stars, planets, dust, or even Black Holes. But what is Dark Matter, really?
