Fall 07

The Fall 2007 Lectures

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Beyond the Visible Universe: Dark Clouds, Galaxy Collisions, and the Origin of Stars

Christine Wilson, PhD, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University

Much of the astronomical research of the next decade will focus on understanding the origins of planets, stars, galaxies, and even the universe itself. Millimetre-wave radio astronomy is a crucial tool in this quest for origins, because it allows us to probe into the cold, dark regions of space where many of these formation processes occur. This talk will illustrate the promise and potential of these techniques by examining spectacular galaxy collisions that have triggered intense bursts of star formation, as well as describing new results which shed light on how stars form in our own Milky Way Galaxy. In addition, the talk will describe how new facilities currently under construction, such as the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA), promise a revolution in our understanding of the origin of structure in the universe.

Co-sponsor: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada -- Toronto Centre

Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Science in Computer Science: A Journey Through Abstractions

Hamzeh Roumani, PhD, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, York University

The Natural Sciences, from physics to astronomy and from biology to neuropsychology, employ the scientific method in order to gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in at every length and time scale. How does Computer Science fit into this tapestry? In order to answer this question we take a journey that starts at the natural sciences, with their physical realities and natural laws, and then crosses over to computer science with its hardware and software. The journey takes us through layers of semiconductors, gates, and chips, and then through the elusive barrier that separates hardware from software to arrive at languages, algorithms, information, and finally the very fabric of thoughts. The journey also introduces us to the fields within this discipline and to what computer scientists do, both in research and in industry.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Embryonic Stem Cells: Misconceptions, Hypes and Promises

Andras Nagy, PhD, Senior Scientist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute;

Dept. of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, U of T

http://www.mshri.on.ca/nagy/

Human Embryo-derived Stem cells hold an unprecedented promise of providing cures for currently devastating degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy retinopathies, cardiac ischemia, stroke, cancer, and many more. The two first Human Embryonic Stem cell lines in Canada were established in my laboratory. Two years ago, both were approved by the CIHR Stem Cell Oversight Committee for medical research across Canada and internationally. Since then, a significant nationwide effort has been placed into these cells to characterize their properties and prepare them for use in regenerative medicine. My laboratory has a long-standing interest in pioneering activities in genetics using Mouse Embryonic Stem cells. In this presentation, examples will be given to demonstrate the power of this approach in both the mouse and human systems. With their vast variety of cultural roots, humans are polarized in their view of this area of research, because early human embryos are used to establish Embryonic Stem cell lines. The public perception is influenced by religious views, media, politicians, philosophers, ethicists and scientists. Unfortunately, often the information reaching the public is tainted by sensation-seeking or lack of full insight, which has frequently led to misconceptions regarding the source and the stage of the human embryos consented for research, particularly for stem cell use. This presentation will attempt to give a realistic view of the background and promises of this area.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Mathematics with Eye and Hand: Applied Practices and Proposals for Education

Walter Whiteley, B.Sc., Ph.D (MIT), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University; Member of the Graduate Programs in Mathematics, Education and Computer Science

http://www.math.yorku.ca/~whiteley/

http://wiki.math.yorku.ca/index.php/Spatial_Reasoning_Links

http://wiki.math.yorku.ca/index.php/CMESG

Drawing on over three decades of work in Discrete Applied Geometry, as well as a decade of geometry courses for teachers, we offer some proposals for the teaching and learning of mathematics in general, and geometry education in particular. A growing body of research, including fMRI studies of people ‘doing mathematics’ and of curriculum development, including supportive technology, is addressing our key theme. The theme is the crucial importance of spatial abilities and visual reasoning in the learning, application and development of mathematics. We will illustrate these ideas, with some key examples from inside and outside mathematics, as well as the learnability of the required mathematical habits of mind. In the context of recent debates about the Mathematics curriculum in Ontario, I will offer some proposals to reshape our goals for the learning of geometry, as well as the paths we take across the rich learning landscape of geometry, and the tools that can support this.

Co-sponsor: The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Hey! There Are Cockroaches In My Chocolate Ice Cream!

Joseph A. Schwarcz, Ph.D, Director, Office for Science and Society, McGill University; RCI Stanford Fleming Medal recipient, 2005

No, there really are no cockroaches in chocolate ice cream. But one of my radio listeners did jump to this conclusion after misinterpreting what had been said about a certain food colorant. Being on one end of a microphone and in front of television cameras for over twenty years has afforded some fascinating insight into the public’s perception of science. It has also provided an opportunity to separate sense from nonsense in areas ranging from nutrition and medications to cosmetics and pesticides. This highly visual and entertaining presentation examines some serious as well as some frivolous experiences in dealing with the public and emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Perspectives on Causes, Treatments and Possible Prevention

Maire Percy, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D, Director, Neurogenetics Laboratory, Surrey Place Centre; Professor Emeritus, Physiology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, U of T

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. It affects approximately one person in 13 over the age of 65 in Canada. Although Alzheimer’s has been intensively studied for many years, there still is a fundamental controversy about whether the characteristic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s in the brain - the so-called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles - are causes or consequences in this much-feared disorder. This lecture will provide an overview about what is Alzheimer’s disease and current best practices for its treatment. It will also provide an update on current theories about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, new treatment strategies, and lifestyle choices we can make to ward off its offset.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

THE STOICHEFF LECTURE

Optics from 3000 BC to 3000 AD: The Amazing History and Exciting Future of Optical Science and Technology

Wayne H. Knox, Ph.D., Director and Professor, Institute of Optical Sciences, University of Rochester, U.S.A.

Optical technology is traced from its ancient roots and earliest known applications through to present-day examples. Key principles of light are demonstrated, with speculations on future advances in Optical technologies that could improve our lives.

Sponsored by the RCI in partnership with the Institute of Optical Sciences, U of T

Sunday, December 9, 2007