Science Library Colloquia Series

The UA Science Library's Colloquia Series promotes Science Literacy for all by bringing scientist authors and science journalists to speak about their work and the unique challenges of communicating science accurately to non-scientists. All events are free, open to the public, and followed by a book signing. Refreshments will be served.

On November the 13th, at 4:00 pm in the Standish Room, The University at Albany Science Library Colloquia Series is Proud to Present: a Colloquium with Jessica Snyder Sachs, author of GOOD GERMS, BAD GERMS:

For more information, contact:

Gregg Sapp, Associate Librarian
LI-327, (518) 442-3598
gsapp@uamail.albany.edu

Past Science Library Colloquia

Over the previous three years, the Science Library Colloquia Series has established itself as an attraction and resource for the University at Albany and the entire community. The following are summaries of previous events (Listed in order from the most recent colloquia):

Victor Chase, author of Shattered Nerves: How Science is Solving Modern's Most Perplexing Problems, took us on a journey into a new medical frontier, where sophisticated, state-of-the-art medical devices repair and restore failed sensory and motor systems. In a compelling narrative that revealed the intimate relationship between technology and the physicians, scientists, and patients who bring it to life, Victor D. Chase explored groundbreaking developments in neural technology. Chase is a science and technology writer who has written for a variety of publications including Air & Space , IBM's Think Research , MIT's Technology Review , Nature Medicine, Popular Science,Science Digest, National Forum, R&D Magazine, Mechanical Engineering, and Environmental Health Perspectives. Back To Top

Dale Peterson, talked about his new book "Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man" on Wednesday, December 6th, 2006. He showed clearly and convincingly how truly remarkable Goodall's accomplishments were and how unlikely it was that anyone else could have duplicated them. Peteson detailed not only how Jane Goodall revolutionized the study of primates, our closest relatives, but how she helped set radically new standards and a new intellectual style in the study of animal behavior. And he revealed the very private quest that led scientist to activist. Back To Top

Charles Mann, award-winning science journalist and nonfiction writer, is the author of the New York Times bestseller, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus (2005) An earthshaking revision of pre-Columbian American history, 1491 presents recent archaeological evidence that Native American civilization was far more populous and scientifically advanced than previously assumed. A three-time National Magazine Award finalist, Mann is a correspondent for Science, The Atlantic Monthly, and Wired. His articles appear in The Best American Science Writing (2003) and The Best American Science and Nature Writing (2003). Earlier books include @ Large: The Strange Case of the Internet's Biggest Invasion (1998), Noah's Choice: The Future of Endangered Species (1995), and The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in 20th-Century Physics (1986), co-authored with Robert Crease. He spoke on October 11th at 4:15 , in the Campus Center Assembly Hall. Co-sponsored with the NY State Writers’ Institute. Back To Top

The final 2005/06 Colloquium was on April 6th, when Robert Crease spoke about his new book, "J. Robert Oppenheimer: A Life," which was co-authored by the late Abraham Pais. Over time, the career of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the stories of the Manhattan Project have remained vivid in the public's consciousness. Professor Crease spoke about the enduring legacy of Oppenheimer in these various realms, and of the experience of writing and completing this book, which was begun by physicist Abraham Pais. Back To Top

Nobel Prize winner in physiology and medicine (2000) Eric R. Kandel spoke to a full house on March 10th, 2006. Professor Kandel related anecdotes from his semi-biographical book "In Search of Memory." Back To Top

On October 18th, 2005, Edward Burger, co-author (along with Michael Starbird) of the intriguing new book, "Coincidences, Chaos and All that Math Jazz" (Norton, 2005) demonstrated how common, day-to-day observations and experiences can lead to profound mathematical insights. His discussion illuminated the practical, artistic, creative, philosophical, and just plain entertaining sides of mathematics. Back To Top

On October 6th, 2005, Dr. Marc W. Kirshner, PhD spoke on his new book The Plausibility of Life (Yale U Press, 2005). Darwins's theory of evolution by natural selection remains controversial in both scientific and social circles. Despite the theory's remarkable successes, there remain gaps. Significant among these is a complete explanation of how animals develop the astounding variety and complexity of features. The standard answer has been that it results from random, minute genetic changes accumulating over vast time. Now in their important book The Plausibility of Life, Marc. W. Kirshner and John Gerhart argue that this explanation is inadequate, and they expound a powerful new answer to one of evolutionary theory's unresolved question. By Closing the gap in Darwinian theory, the authors provide a timely scienctific rebuttal to modern critics of evolution who champion "intelligent design." Back To Top

In the spring 2005, writer, scholar, and medical ethicist James Hughes spoke on his new book, "Citizen Cyborg." In the next fifty years, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic engineering and other technologies will allow human beings to transcend the limitations of the body. We will use these technologies to redesign ourselves and our children into varieties of "posthumanity. In this groundbreaking work of social commentary, Hughes argues that biopolitical challenges of the coming transhuman century require a return to the root principles of democracy -- the liberty, equality and solidarity of persons. Back To Top

On Monday September 27th, 2004, scientist Sidney Perkowitz examined the shifting boundaries between robotics, technology, and basic human biology when he discusses his new book, Digital People: From Bionic Humans to Androids. As scientists draw on nanotechnology, molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and materials science, they are learning how to create beings that move, think and act like people. There is great hope in this, but it can lead to fears that our power to create may debase what it means to be human. Back To Top

The second event in fall 2004, on November 4th, took on one of the most controversial issues in modern medical science -- stem cell research. Science journalist Ann B. Parson confronted the issues, as she does in her book, The Proteus Effect: stem Cells and Their Promise for Medicine. She described not only the potential breakthroughs that this research offers, but also the complex ethical dimensions that is addresses. This talk was filmed by C-SPAN asn shown as part of its "Booktalk" series. Back To Top

The second spring 2004 colloquium took place on May 3rd, when John Horgan, former senior science writer at Scientific American, explored the boundaries between science and spirituality, as expounded in his book Rational Mysticism. On one side, a mystical experience is a neurologically complex cognitive event, while on the other it is a mystery and a profound expression of faith. In researching this book, Mr. Horgan visited both sides and he shared his insights with those who attended. His Web site is at http://www.johnhorgan.org/. Back To Top

On March 25th, 2004 National Public Radio science reporter David Baron discussed his new book, The Beast in the Garden. In this cautionary "modern parable of man and nature," Mr. Baron writes about human/ animal conflicts that occur when new construction and development displaces native species. Illustrating this general theme, he examines events that took place in suburban Boulder, Colorado, where new housing projects pressured native mountain lion populations, with tragic results. For more information, see http://www.beastinthegarden.com. Back To Top

Stephen S. Hall, author of "Merchants of Immortality: Chasing the Dream of Human Life Extension," spoke on this book at the Science Library on September 18th, 2003. The average human lifespan has increased by almost 30 years since the year 1900. How far can life expectancy be pushed? Some leading researchers propose that "practical immortality" is possible. Hall examined how this might happen, and what are the pros and cons of circumventing mortality. Back To Top

The second Fall Semester, 2003 event was with Thomas Levenson, author of "Einstein in Berlin" and a Peabody Award winning documentary filmmaker. As he examined in this book, Einstein's experiences during the sociopolitical tumult between world wars were unlike those of anybody else in the world. He was the reigning superstar of science, the pride of the University of Berlin, and yet as the Nazis consolidated power, not even he was safe. Back To Top

One of the most common barriers to science literacy is mathematics. On March 20th, 2003 Amir Aczel, professor of mathematics at Bentley College and author of several popular books, including "Fermat's Last Theorem," "The Mystery of the Aleph," and "The Riddle of the Compass," discussed how to present mathematical concepts to lay readers in his talk, "Making Mathematics, Make Sense." Dr. Aczel is well known for his ability to translate mathematics and to show, using common sense examples, how it works in science. Back To Top

Another characteristic of a science literate person is the ability to make informed civic decisions about issues that have a basis in science. Professor Jon Beckwith of the Harvard Medical School was one of the discoverers of a technique for isolating genes. Beyond the laboratory, though, he believes that scientists have a special social responsibility, and he has been a vocal opponent of what he believes is the misuse of genetics to discriminate against individuals. On April 4th, he spoke about this topic and his new book, "Making Genes: Making Waves: A Social Activist in Science." This was co-sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute and UA Humanitech Semester. Back To Top

"Ether Day" was also a landmark day at the Science Library. On October 16th, 2002, as part of the UA Science Writers' Colloquia Series, freelance author Julie M. Fenster spoke about her new book, "Ether Day: The Strange Tale of America's Greatest Medical Discovery and the Haunted Men Who Made It." The medical uses of ether were a dramatic success -- so much so that three men, former partners, fought bitterly with each other to claim the discovery for themselves. Back To Top

In April 2002, Simon Winchester, author of "The Map that Changed the World" spoke to a full house on the subject: "Is Geology Cool? -- How William Smith Became a Bestseller." In his talk, he delivered an entertaining overview of his acclaimed book about William Smith, an 18th century surveyor and canal builder, who worked alone and obsessively to chart the strata and fossils layered across the British countryside. Back To Top

Marcia Bartusiak, author of the bestseller "Einstein's Unfinished Symphony: Listening to the Sounds of Space-Time," helped the Science Library celebrate Einstein's birthday on March 14th, 2003. Her widely-praised book won the prestigious American Institute of Physics award for excellence in science writing. Ms Bartusiak spoke about the scientific search to prove the last piece of relativity theory that remains to be verified: the existence of ripples in space-time called "gravity waves." Back To Top

Finally, in the first colloquium, Dr. Thomas Gold, author of the controversial book, "The Deep, Hot Biosphere," spoke in the Standish Room of the Science Library. Dr. Gold presented his theory that deep within the Earth's crust there exists a second biosphere composed of heat-loving microbes, which comprise more living matter than is present on the Earth's entire surface. Gold also believes that there is a constant upwelling of oil and gas from those deep levels, which suggests that petroleum resources are self-renewing. Back To Top