Welcome back to Columbia and to Science Fair, Bwog’s weekly roundup of science events happening around campus. I hope the new academic year has been treating you well so far. As always, email science.bwog@gmail.com if you want your event featured.

This week, Columbia Health is hosting a walk-in flu clinic at Low Library Rotunda. You do not need an appointment, and when I have gone in past years, it was super fast! Any students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive the vaccine for free. More information.

  • Monday, Sep. 29, 10 am to 5 pm. 
  • Tuesday, Sep. 30, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 1, 9 am to 6:30 pm. 

Forgotten Experts: Astrologers, Science, and Authority in the Ottoman Empire, 1450–1600

  • Monday, September 29, 6 pm to 7 pm
  • Heyman Center, Second Floor Common Room. Registration not required.
  • Assistant Professor of History A. Tunç Şen offers a history of Ottoman court astrologers and their technical and scientific writings. He offers context of numerous cultural, societal, political and epistemic challenges, showing the complex relations between the state, society, and scientists. More information.

Countdown to COP30: What’s at Stake – Justice & Global Action

  • Monday, September 29, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Online via Zoom. Registration required.
  • Speakers on this panel will provide a clear overview of COP30’s (the UN’s annual Climate Change Conference) agenda and key priorities. This year it will be hosted in Belém, Brazil, and is set to emphasize implementation, transparency, and inclusive governance. The panel hopes to understand the role that COP30 can play in furthering climate justice and global outcome goals.

Biostats Lecture: Challenges in Estimating Vaccine Effectiveness Against Progression to Severe Disease

  • Thursday, October 2, 11:45 am to 1 pm
  • Online via Zoom. Meeting ID: 963 2560 9671, Passcode: 698339
  • Associate Professor Natalie Dean will discuss how vaccines are not only used to lower an individual’s risk of infection, but also the risk of progression to disease. She will present a case study using COVID-19, using a modeling framework to discuss how this can be used to improve public health. More information.

Data Club: Intro Python Text Mining with TDM Studio & ChatGPT

  • Thursday, October 2, 4:10 pm to 5:30 pm
  • International Affairs Building, Lehman Library Room 215. Registration not required.
  • Columbia’s Data Club meets eight times a semester to introduce programming and data concepts, aimed at those with no programming experience, however all skill levels are welcome. In this week’s meeting, the club will review the basics of Python to assist a text mining project using ChatGPT. You are asked to bring a laptop to participate! More information, including the group’s WhatsApp and calendar.

Science Fair via Madeline Douglass