My favorite mnemonic in bio: UAA, UGA, UAG = U Are Annoying, U Go Away, U Are Gone

We’re back with Science Fair, Bwog’s weekly curated list of interesting STEM-related talks, symposiums, and events happening on campus. For science and non-science majors alike, our list will bring you events that will satisfy your scientific curiosity for anything from astronomy to zoology, and everything in between.

For anyone, related-majors and non-majors alike:

  • Inclusive growth story of the 21st century: The drive to the zero carbon economy
    • Event information: Monday, April 8, 6:30-8pm, IAB Room 1501, Click here for more information and to register
    • Event description: “To deliver on the Paris agreement, emissions will have to be cut sharply by 40% or more in that period and the world will have to achieve net zero emissions within 50 years. This talk will describe the urgency and magnitude of the challenge, discuss some of the key policies and actions, and show how the great opportunities offered by this transition can be taken.”
  • “The Continuing Need for Useless Knowledge” presented by Martin Chalfie (2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Winner)
    • Event information: Wednesday, April 10, 8-9pm, 501 Schermerhorn, Click here to register
    • Event description: “As a student, do you ever wonder what is gained from memorizing compilations of seemingly useless concepts and facts? Have you ever worked on an assignment and thought, “Why do I need to know this?” Ever wanted to hear a Nobel Laureate speak in a small, personal setting? This lecture is for ANYONE in the Columbia community, and science ~does not~ have to be your primary interest to attend! Dr. Chalfie created this lecture to be relevant to everyone; the one requirement is that you come with an open mind!”
  • Women in Energy Breakfast: Honorable Heidi Heitkamp, Former U.S. Senator of North Dakota
    • Event information: Thursday, April 11, 9-10am, School of Social Work, Click here for more information and to register
    • Event description: “Please join the Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy for a breakfast and roundtable discussion with the Honorable Heidi Heitkamp, former North Dakota Senator. During this student-only breakfast, Sen. Heitkamp will discuss her work on energy development in North Dakota and the rest of the U.S., academic and job histories, career paths, and perspectives on what it means to be a female leader in energy.”

  • Rafael Yuste – Human Rights of the Future? Discussing the Ethics of Neurotech and AI
    • Event information: Thursday, April 11, 1-2pm, Fayerweather 513, Click here for more information and to register
    • Event description: In advance of the World Leaders Forum (WLF) program featuring the 2018 Eliasson Global Leaders, the Committee on Global Thought presents a session with leader Professor Rafael Yuste exclusively for students from all schools at Columbia University.

Intended for more advanced students of the given subject (but still open to all interested students):

  • “Translation of the Genetic Code: Brakes included” presented by Elizabeth Grayhack (University of Rochester)
    • Event information: Monday, April 8, 12pm, 601 Fairchild, Click here for more information
    • Event description: “I will discuss current efforts to address two issues: the functional importance of inhibitory codon pairs and the mechanisms by which cells prevent aberrant translation at these pairs.”
  • “The Cherenkov Telescope Array: astronomy at the end of the extreme end of the rainbow” presented by Anthony Brown (Durham University, UK)
    • Event information: Wednesday, April 10, 1pm, 705 Pupin, Click here for more information
    • Event description: “Very-high-energies (VHE) gamma-rays, photons above 50 GeV in energy, sit at the extreme end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Observing them allows us to study the most energetic phenomena in the Universe, and this the laws of physics in environments we cannot create here on Earth… In this talk we will look at CTA, touch on its key science goals and look in-depth at some of the challenges we need to overcome to realise its full potential.”
  • Health Professions Medical School Application Workshop (Open only to CC/SEAS students and alums applying to medical/dental/veterinary school for Fall 2020)
    • Event Information: Tuesday, April 9, 6-7:30pm, Lerner 401, Click here for more information and to register
    • Event description: “Learn about the centralized applications (AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS, VMCAS) that you will be completing this summer. Only open to Columbia College and SEAS undergraduate students and the alums applying to medical, dental or veterinary school for Fall 2020 admission.”

amino acid table via wikimedia