“From Concept to Capsule: A Tour of the Prescription Drug Discovery Process”
Presented by: Salvatore Lepore, Ph.D., Associate Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
“Where do drugs come from and why do they cost so much?” These are two key questions that Dr. Lepore attempts to answer throughout this presentation. He begins with an historical perspective discussing the discovery of some classic medicines and outlining some of the key scientific breakthroughs especially from the 20th century. The discussion then turns to the current medicinal research challenges faced by academic, with emphasis on Dr. Lepore’s work and pharmaceutical researchers resulting in the development of many inventive technologies.
“Immune System, Aging and Medical Mysteries”
Presented by: James X. Hartmann, Ph.D., Professor of Immunology, Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Dr Hartmann explores many questions about our immune system. What organ of the body shrinks with age and whose size directly correlates to health and longevity? What can everyone do to prevent the involution of this organ and nurture it? What new life form is the real cause of hardening of the arteries, kidney stones and many other chronic illnesses? What is the universal hormone, how is it produced and how can you use it to improve your health? What is the most common neurological disorder in the U.S. and how can it be prevented? What is the most powerful and natural anti-viral substance known to man and how do you obtain it? How many hidden viruses does the average person carry with the cells of their body? Does the immune system really attack self in the autoimmune disease know as lupus erythematosus. Dr. Hartmann presents his laboratory’s data which implicates new agents associated with lupus and discusses their bizarre nature.
“Diagnosing and Treating Breast Cancer”
Presented by: Roger Goldwyn, Ph.D., Research Professor, Mathematical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Dr. Goldwyn presents and discusses the development of revolutionary new techniques to aid clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This work which has been reported in the American Journal of Radiology was developed in conjunction with the Women’s Center at the Boca Raton Community Hospital and MeVis, the Center for Medical Visualization at the University of Bremen, whose director is also on the faculty of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. The goal of this collaboration is to perfect, integrate and package appropriate software aids to make these new technologies universally accessible.
“Solar Observational Science”
Presented by Eric Vandernoot, M.S., Astronomy and Physics Lab Coordinator, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
We live in a land that is dominated by the sun. Yet how many of us can really say we know this star? Mr. Vandernoot demonstrates and discusses some of the interesting physics and facts that lie in the powerful activities that we observe in the sun.
“Neuropsychology of Normal and Abnormal Aging”
Presented by: Monica Rosselli, Ph.D., Professor and Assistant Chair, Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Davie
The points of presentation and discussion describe the behavioral and cognitive characteristic of normal and abnormal aging, analysis of the brain behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s disease and a review of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Sun, Sand, and Sea Turtles”
Presented by: Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
“How is the gender of a marine turtle determined and how long is it before it is a boy or a girl?” Dr. Wyneken explains how the gender is actually determined by the environment in which the turtle develops and matures. Hot temps tend to make a turtle female while cool temps tend to make it a male…but when the beach or climate changes, things can really get interesting.
Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence”
Presented by: John Wiesenfeld, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, former dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Are we alone in the universe? How can we find out? What factors determine the probability that intelligent life exists beyond Earth? Wiesenfeld will provide an overview of SETI studies as well as a method to assess the betting odds on this endlessly intriguing scientific question. Hint: it's almost surely not flying saucers piloted by little green men. Find out why.
“Interesting Partners: Plants and People”
Presented by: Maria Fadiman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Dr. Fadiman discusses the balance between resource utilization and protection focusing on two distinct ecosystems and locations in Ecuador: the mainland rain forest and the Galápagos Islands. She also explains her research on studying indigenous cultures. This research has taken her across the globe to Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, India, Thailand and Europe where she works and collects native plants with local families learning how the people utilize the forests in which they live.
“South Florida’s Birds, A Photographic Journey”
Presented by: Jay Paredes, Director of Information Technology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science FAU Boca Raton; Award Winning Photographer; Vice President Everglades Photographic Society
Mr. Paredes shares his talent and passion for photography via narrated slide show. Learn about some of the habits and habitats of South Florida’s birds, both common and rare and when and where you can find them.
“Einstein and God”
Presented by: Nathan Dean, Ph.D., Professor, Physics, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Einstein’s own writings are used to explore his views on the nature of God and the conclusions he reached regarding science, religion, and humankind. Einsteins’devotion to relativism and determinism in science is contrasted with the religious philosophy he publicly espoused as well as with the ethical and social judgments of his later years. Although the tension between these two world views cannot be completely resolved, his opinions on the interaction between science and religion provide a unique insight into the mind of Albert Einstein.
“How Experience Contributes to the Acquisition of Knowledge in Infancy”
Presented by: David J. Lewkowicz, Ph.D., Professor, Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
What do babies know about their world and what do they understand about it? Questions such as these go to the heart of the nature/nurture debate initiated by the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle. For Plato, humans’ knowledge and understanding of the world are nature’s handiwork whereas for Aristotle they are nurture’s provenance. Although philosophical inquiry into these fundamental questions provides a necessary initial framework for thinking about them, it is only rigorous scientific/empirical inquiry that can provide real answers. In this talk, evidence from studies of perceptual development in human infants will be discussed and it will be shown that everyday experience plays a critical role in perceptual development and ultimately in what we come to know and understand about our world. “From Concept to Capsule: A Tour of the Prescription Drug Discovery Process”
“Cooperative Living in Marine Animals”
Presented by: Randy Brooks, Ph.D., Professor, Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Brooks discusses his research about the importance of symbioses in the success of many marine organisms, including anemone fishes and corals.
“Medicines from the Sea: Using Killer Snails to Kill Pain”
Presented by: Frank Mari, Ph.D., Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, FAU Boca Raton
Mari discusses the discovery and development of components of the venom of deadly marine snails into therapeutics for the treatment of chronic pain and other conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis.
“Acute Heart Attack 101”
Presented by: Ira J. Gelb, M.D., Professor of Clinical Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, FAU Boca Raton
Gelb focuses on early recognition of the signs of an impending coronary event and presents education on preventive measures to avoid such an event. He emphasizes that patient care is a dual responsibility of both the doctor and the patient.