Tag Archives: science

FEATURED
Black Squirrels: A Scientific Perspective

We’ve all seen them. We’ve all talked about them. We’ve even written about them. Wesleyan’s black squirrel population is a source of pride, fear, and gossip for the student body.  Despite their fame, we have never known the true origin story of the black squirrel. Until now. Just last year, a team of scientists from the UK and America published their study on the biological source behind this unique coloration. I’ve compiled all the important information below the cut, but I’ll give you a sneak peek here: it’s because these squirrels fuck.

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Wesleyan Women in Science (WesWIS) Organizational Meeting

35k78yqFrom Wesleyan Women in Science:

Join WesWIS for our first event of the year! Learn about who we are and what we do, hear about the events we have planned for this semester, and eat PIZZA with some fantastic women in the sciences! We’d also love to hear all of your ideas for new activities to plan this year. People of all majors and genders welcome. We will also be looking for a couple of new steering committee members– if you want to get involved with WesWIS and event planning, now is your chance! The current members will go over how to apply at the meeting. If you plan on coming, please send an email RSVP to msnow[at]wesleyan[dot]edu.

Date: Tuesday, September 27
Time: 12-1 PM
Place: Woodhead Lounge (Exley 184)
Cost: Free (plus free pizza!)

EVENT
2016 Sturm Lecture

From Seth Redfield, Professor of Astronomy:

Mae Jemison is the 2016 Sturm Lecturer and will be giving a public
lecture next Tuesday, April 19th at 8pm in the Ring Family Performing
Arts Hall (formerly the CFA Hall). Her talk is entitled, “Exploring
the Frontiers of Science and Human Potential”. She is a former
astronaut, served in the Peace Corp, is a physician by training,
majored in engineering and African and Afro-American Studies at
Stanford, is a fierce advocate for STEM education, and is currently
leading the 100 Year Starship Project… and that is just some of the
things she has done.

Bring your friends, family, and classmates. There will be a reception
following the public lecture at the Observatory (and the telescopes
will be open if it is clear).

Date: Tuesday, April 19
Time: 8PM-9:30PM
Place: Ring Family Performing Arts Hall

EVENT
2016 Sturm Lecture

spaceFrom Professor of Astronomy Seth Redfield:

Mae Jemison is the 2016 Sturm Lecturer and will be giving a public lecture next Tuesday, April 19th at 8pm in the Ring Family Performing Arts Hall (formerly the CFA Hall). Her talk is entitled, “Exploring the Frontiers of Science and Human Potential”. She is a former astronaut, served in the Peace Corp, is a physician by training, majored in engineering and African and Afro-American Studies at Stanford, is a fierce advocate for STEM education, and is currently leading the 100 Year Starship Project… and that is just some of the things she has done.

Bring your friends, family, and classmates. There will be a reception following the public lecture at the Observatory (and the telescopes will be open if it is clear).

Date: Tuesday, April 19
Time: 8:00-9:30 PM
Place: Ring Family Performing Arts Hall
Click to find out more

EVENT
WesWIS Presents: WesCourses!

weswis coursesSophie Breitbart ’16 writes in:

Totally confused about what science courses to take? Stressed about planning your future? Like eating free food?

Come to WesCourses! We’ll discuss classes offered next semester over an informal lunch. You’ll get some great advice from science majors about courses, professors, and how to plan your college career. We anticipate all majors will be represented.

Upperclassmen are welcome to attend and give advice as well! All genders are welcome.

Please RSVP to msnow(at)wesleyan(dot)edu so we can feed you delicious treats!

Date: Friday, April 8
Time: 12-1 PM
Place: 41 Wyllys, room 114
fb event

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Q&A with Columbia Neuroscientist Dr. Carol Mason

From WesWIS and the bio department:

Interested in learning about how an incredible Columbia neuroscientist navigated her career? Come to a Q&A with Dr. Carol Mason, Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmic Science at Columbia University. She will be speaking about her experiences in the field and answering questions in an informal setting.

Dr. Mason is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Institute of Medicine, and served as President of the Society for Neuroscience (2013-2014).

Cookies will be provided! Event sponsored by WesWIS and the Biology Department.

Date: Thursday, April 7
Time: 4-5 PM
Place: Woodhead Lounge (Exley)

EVENT
Zitter Health Insights Info Session

zitter whateverAlumni Camille Casareno ’15 writes in:

Do you:

Have interest in healthcare but don’t know how to explore the increasingly complex industry?
Want to develop market research and consulting skills, valuable experience that can be applied to many other fields?
Want a job out of college that provides a culture of learning and mentoring that will provide you a solid stepping stone into your professional career?

If you said yes to any of the above, come to this informational session about Zitter Health Insights (ZHI), hosted by yours truly and Mark Zitter ’80.

ZHI is the healthcare industry’s leading market research firm that assists life science companies with issues related to product access, reimbursement, and managed markets.

ZHI is taking applications from Class of 2016 graduates for the full-time Research Analyst role.

Feel free to email me with any questions at mcasareno[at]wesleyan[dot]edu

Convinced already? Apply online here:
http://zitter.com/who-we-are/careers/

Date: Thursday, February 25th, 2016
Time: 5:00PM to 6:00PM
Place: Wesleyan Career Center
facebook event

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Science Research Opportunities Extravaganza

Research_institute_InspirationInterested in a scientific research project? Looking for summer fellowship opportunities? Not sure how to get there? Attend the Science Research Opportunities Extravaganza!

Saturday, January 23, 2016
1:30-2:00 pm, Student Panel, Exley 150: How do I get into a research lab?
Current research students will give advice on finding a lab.

2:00-4:00 pm, Poster Session, Exley Lobby: Research opportunities in Science Labs
Current research students will show you what you could be doing.

Light refreshments provided.
Sponsored by: College of Integrative Sciences, College of the Environment, Wesleyan Mathematics and Science Scholars, & the McNair Program

Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 1:30 – 4:00 PM
Place: Exley 150 and Lobby

EVENT
WesWIS Presents: Summer STEM Research Panel

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From Sophie Breitbart ’16:

Interested in doing summer research in the STEM fields? Curious to hear how others found opportunities, navigated the application process, and how it all turned out? Then this is the event for you!

Our four panelists have spent their summers engaging in research spanning from astro to physics to bio to environmental science to molecular bio to biomedical and math fields. They’ve done research at Wes, in the real world, through internships, programs, and more. Now’s the time to start thinking about summer work, so let us help you start! Plus, free cookies!

All genders welcome. RSVP to msnow(at)wesleyan(dot)edu if you’ll be joining us.

Date: Tuesday, November 17th
Time: 7-8pm
Place: Allbritton 311
Facebook event: YO YO YO

EVENT
Two events on the science of mindfulness and meditation

Sent in from the very mindful Katie McLaughlin ’15

There are two very cool events going on this Thursday that will look at the science behind mindfulness and meditation. Please come to one, come to both, bring a friend, or send a friend! Hope to see you all there.

Professor Britton’s Seminar — Contemplative Science: Uniting Internal and External Technologies

This lunch lecture will examine the neurological effects of meditation and mindfulness. The BRITTON LAB studies contemplative, affective, and clinical neuroscience and the effects of contemplative practices on cognitive, emotional, and physiological aspects of affective disturbances. https://vivo.brown.edu/display/wbritton

Where: Shanklin Laboratory Room107 (Kerr Lecture Hall)
When: Thursday April 9 from 12:00-1:0
Cost: Free

 

All Student Workshop and Dinner: Contemplative Practice

Join us for a dinner conversation with Willoughby Britton, PhD about everything we know about mindfulness.

We will provide Thai Food. Please RSVP to the facebook event so we don’t waste any food.

Willoughby Britton, PhD is a clinical psychologist, neuroscientist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Brown Medical School. She has taught meditation to prisoners, the terminally ill, distressed adolescents, and anxious, depressed and stressed adults. She has studied the effects of meditation for more than 15 years and lectured internationally on the neurobiological and psychological effects.

Where: Downey House Lounge, 294 High Street
When: Thursday April 9 from 6:30-9:00
Cost: Free!!!