The 2018-19 Distinguished Speaker Series is Here!
The UCF College of Sciences Distinguished Speaker Series is back for its fifth edition. Starting in September, six speakers will present on new technology and research in their respective fields.
The 2018-2019 series will be held monthly (excluding November and December) at the Tuscawilla Country Club from September 2018 to April 2019 at 6 p.m. We invite you to join us and enjoy these wonderful evenings with food, drink and intellectual stimulation.
On September 26 the series begins with Biology Assistant Professor Michelle Gaither, Ph.D. Her presentation “One Fish, Two Fish: Weird and Wonderful Adaptations” will explore the nature of ocean habitats, the diversity of fishes and the special adaptations that are required to make a living in these often-extreme environments.
Chemistry Assistant Professor Fernando Uribe-Romo, Ph.D. continues the series on October 17 with his presentation “Artificial Photosynthesis: The Future of Sustainable Solar Energy.” He will focus on the work scientists are completing to replicate the effects of photosynthesis in non-organic materials.
After the New Year, Professor, Director-Landscape and Natural Resources and Arboretum Patrick Bohlen, Ph.D. and Assistant Director of the UCF Arboretum Jennifer Elliot, M.S. will present “Catching a Buzz & Playing with Fire: Advancing Urban Ecology at the UCF Arboretum” on January 23, 2019. They will focus on the impact the UCF Arboretum has on the local community.
On February 20, Chemistry Pegasus Professor, Provost Distinguished Research Professor, and Trustee Chair Peter Hancock, Ph.D. starts the series back up with his presentation “Sleights of Mind: Mysteries & Myths of Cognitive Deception.” He will speak on the complex psychological processes involved in deceiving the mind.
Department of Anthropology assistant professors Michael Callaghan, Ph.D. and Brigitte Kovacevich, Ph.D. present “The Naked and the Dead: Ritual & Sacrifice at the Dawn of Maya Civilization” on March 27. Their presentation will discuss new evidence uncovered at the Maya site of Holtun.
The last speaker, Physics Associate Professor and Observatory Director Yan Fernández, Ph.D., presents “If the Dinosaurs had Radar: Asteroids, Arecibo and Earth’s Impact Risk” on April 24. He will discuss the latest results from studies of asteroids and their impact probabilities, and he will discuss the role of the Arecibo Observatory.