The College of Letters & Science’s Division of Biological Sciences and Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences invite you to participate in a series of enlightening virtual Zoom discussions with UC Berkeley faculty about discovery-driven science. Hear from leading scholars about the latest ideas and developments from the biological, biomedical, earth, and physical sciences.
Use one of the Register buttons below to sign up for these events.
Fall 2020 Schedule
What do a neurobiologist, particle physicist, evolutionary biologist, and cosmologist have in common? They follow their curiosity and pursue discovery-driven research for fundamental knowledge and understanding. Learn the latest findings from their efforts.
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Saul Perlmutter, Nobel Laureate and Dabby Professor of Physics, moderator
Hillel Adesnik, Associate Professor of Neurobiology
Heather Gray, Assistant Professor of Physics
Britt Koskella, Assistant Professor of Integrative Biology
Many Berkeley faculty have refocused research priorities in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A panel of biologists explores diverse approaches to learning about this novel virus — including its ecology and evolution, molecular mechanisms of infection, and the hunt for therapeutic targets.
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Jeffery Cox, Faculty Director, Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases, moderator
Diana Bautista, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Mike Boots, Professor of Integrative Biology
James Hurley, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
Experts on the atmospheric, oceanographic, microbial, and ecological connections to Earth’s climate share their big-picture perspectives on this urgent topic. How will climate change alter the cycling of carbon and methane in sea and sky? What is the outlook for the weather or biodiversity?
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David M. Romps, Goldman Distinguished Chair in the Physical Sciences, moderator
Bethanie Edwards, Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Science
Dipti Nayak, Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, and Development
Caroline Williams, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology
Recent breakthroughs in biological imaging using adaptive optics and novel types of ultra-high-resolution microscopes have enabled watching live cells in action in the brain and other tissues. Pioneers of these approaches describe how Berkeley’s new Advanced Bioimaging Center will be a visualization and data-processing powerhouse for the biological sciences.
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Oskar Hallatschek, McAdams Chair of Physics and Integrative Biology, moderator
Na Ji, Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Physics
Robert Tjian, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
Gokul Upadhyayula, Assistant Professor in Residence of Cell and Developmental Biology
Plate tectonics drives our dynamic planet, from earthquakes and volcanoes at surface subduction zones to convection deep in the mantle. A dynamic group of geologists and geophysicists discusses ways to study how the Earth operates, how it has changed over 4.5 billion years, and some unsolved mysteries.
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Michael Manga, Professor and Chair of Earth and Planetary Science, moderator
Roland Burgmann, Professor of Earth and Planetary Science
Claire Doody, doctoral candidate, Department of Earth and Planetary Science
Harriet Lau, Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Science
Berkeley’s renowned biological research carries forward in these early-career scholars, who are decoding cues of brain activity behind behavior; studying mitochondrial DNA’s links to metabolic diseases; and examining molecular bases of chemical coevolution in plants and insects.
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Matthew Welch, Francis Williams Chair in Biological Sciences, moderator
Andrea Gomez, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
Samantha Lewis, Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Noah Whiteman, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology
Ushering in the era of quantum computing, UC Berkeley serves as headquarters for the new Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Present and Future Quantum Computation. A panel that includes three of its scientific directors explores the institute’s research priorities and the campus vision for an integrated initiative across quantum science and technology.
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Dan Stamper-Kurn, Professor of Physics, moderator
Hartmut Häffner, Associate Professor and Mike Gyorgy Chair in Physics
Boubacar Kanté, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
Lin Lin, Associate Professor of Mathematics
K. Birgitta Whaley, Professor of Chemistry
Questions?
To connect with us, please fill out this form or contact Cardis McKines-Jones at mckinesjones@berkeley.edu. If you require an accommodation for effective communication in order to fully participate in this series, please provide as much advance notice as possible and at least seven days before a specific event date.