Welcome back to Science Fair, Bwog’s weekly roundup of science events happening around campus. As always, email science@bwog.com if you want your event featured.

Columbia Neuroscience Seminar––Reza Shadmehr

  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 10:30 to 11:30 am
  • In-person at the Jerome L. Greene Science Center (9th floor lecture hall)
  • Reza Shadmehr, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, will discuss “Neural computations in the cerebellum during control of a movement.” More information here. 

Markus Leippold––Generative AI: Transformation or Hype?

  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 11 am to 12:30 pm
  • Online over Zoom. Meeting link here. 
  • “The release of Chat-GPT on November 20, 2022 led many, including a number of Big Tech CEOs and Wall Street, to herald the transformative potential of Generative AI for the global economy. But just as many argue that it is hype and contributing to a Big Tech Bubble. As Charlie Munger of Berkshire Hathaway has quipped, ‘I think old-fashioned intelligence works pretty well.’ This lecture will investigate a number of important issues in financial markets, such as stock market sentiment and climate change.” Featuring Markus Leippold, Professor of Financial Engineering at the University of Zurich. More information here. 

New Perspectives on a Changing Climate: Young Voices in Energy

  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 6 to 7:30 pm
  • Online and in-person at Faculty House. Registration required. 
  • “Nuclear energy can be an important tool for addressing global climate change… But trust and confidence in nuclear energy remains low in many sectors, and younger generations and people of color, many of whom are driving the conversation on climate action and climate justice, have questions about nuclear energy. Historical injustices tied to the nuclear sector and open questions on cost, timeliness, and safety loom large. This panel elevates young and diverse voices at the intersection of nuclear energy and climate, addressing the role of the youth voice in global fora, and explores the shifting landscape of nuclear policy and opinion.” More information here. 

“Climate Solutions, Justice, and the Rise of a Trillion-Dollar Industry”: Columbia Climate School Signature Speaker Series, Dr. Jane Zelikova

  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 6 to 7 pm (lecture) and 7 to 8 pm (reception)
  • Online or in-person at The Forum at Columbia University, 601 W. 125th St. Registration required. 
  • “Dr. Jane Zelikova is an ecologist who works at the intersection of climate science and policy. Her work focuses on advancing the science of carbon removal and she is currently the executive director of the Soil Carbon Solutions Center at Colorado State University, where she works with leading scientists to build the tools and approaches needed to accelerate the deployment of credible soil-based climate solutions, measure their impacts, and bring them to scale. Her recent TED talk on the topic of soils and climate change can be found here.” More information here. 

A Climate of Change: Bridging Climate Tech Across the Atlantic

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 12:30 to 2 pm
  • In-person at David Geffen Hall (Cooperman Commons), 645 West 130th Street. Registration required. 
  • “A panel highlighting the opportunities and challenges––market, regulatory, diplomatic, and otherwise––of conducting climate tech business on both sides of the Atlantic.” More information here. 

Debts of Displacement: The Paradoxes of Patronage in a Syrian Refugee Farmworker Camp

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 2:10 to 4 pm
  • In-person at Schermerhorn Ext. 963
  • The Department of Anthropology presents a BOAS Seminar featuring Dr. China Sajadian of Vassar College. More information here. 

What are Natural Climate Solutions and Why Should You Care?

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 4:10 to 5:15 pm
  • In-person at 326 Uris Hall. Registration required. 
  • “Did you know that natural climate solutions (NCS) can provide one-third of the climate benefits needed to meet global Paris Agreement targets? Join a talk and discussion with Peter Ellis, Global Director of Natural Climate Solutions Science at The Nature Conservancy. He will explain what NCS is, how it can be implemented effectively at a global scale, and will highlight a huge new platform called Naturebase that is launching on Nov 27. Naturebase is a free online platform that helps policymakers, practitioners and technical experts identify, analyze, and make informed decisions on why, where, and how to implement NCS to benefit people and the planet.” More information here. 

Digital Health for the Next Generation: Implications of AI in Africa

  • Thursday, November 30, 2023, 9 to 10 am
  • Online over Zoom. Registration required. 
  • “AI systems consume large amounts of data to make future predictions – this type of digital innovation has major implications for global health. This presentation will emphasize both the opportunities and concerns associated with the application of digital health and AI in African health systems, especially highlighting the impact on health policy, health advancement, health disparities, and more.” More information here. 

Learning from Indigenous Voices: Adaptation Futures

  • Thursday, November 30, 2023, 1 to 2 pm
  • Online over Zoom. Meeting link here. 
  • “Join us in discussion with Johanna Lovecchio, Director of Program Design for Climate Action, who will share learnings, dilemmas, and opportunities from the recent Adaptation Futures Conference in Montreal (Oct). […] Johanna will share some of the layered learnings from her time at the conference and offer space for discussion on the implications for the Climate School and Columbia particularly as they relate to indigenous practice both in North America and in island contexts. The discussion will also include intersection of gender and adaptation and sharing of the current state of international climate justice as it relates to adaptation and loss and damage.” More information here. 

Music on the Brain with the National Jazz Museum: The Magic of Touch

  • Thursday, November 30, 2023, 7 to 8 pm
  • In-person at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Registration required. 
  • “Come enjoy a jazz concert and dialogue with multi-instrumentalist jazz musician, composer, and educator T.K. Blue, pianist Sharp Radway, and our guest speaker from the Zuckerman Institute’s Abdus-Saboor Lab, Dr. Anastasia-Maria Zavitsanou, where we explore the fascinating interplay between auditory and tactile perception. Music on the Brain is a collaboration between the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute, with the support of the Jazz Foundation of America.” More information here. 

Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach Public Lecture & Stargazing: “A Tale of Galactic Transformation: The Habitat of Jellyfish Galaxies”

  • Friday, December 1, 2023, 6 to 7 pm (lecture) and 7:10 to 8:10 pm (stargazing). 
  • In-person at Pupin 301 (lecture) and College Walk (stargazing). Registration required. 
  • “Join us to hear from Columbia Astronomer Dr. Nick Luber, who will be telling us about “A Tale of Galactic Transformation: The Habitat of Jellyfish Galaxies”… We’ll start the evening at 6 pm with some astronomy trivia, followed by Dr. Luber’s talk and Q&A. From 7:10 to 8:10 pm, we will be outside stargazing on College Walk (weather permitting).”

Science Fair via Giovanni de la Rosa