Sharp Minds

Start the month the smart way

Engage with local scientists as they discuss their latest research and discoveries in a friendly, inviting environment. These lectures address hot topics on the first Monday of every month, in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Stay for a special noon documentary showing. 

The Sharp Minds lecture is free with general admission or a Senior Monday ticket.  

 

Lecturers

Dr. Andrea Tao.
Dr. Andrea Tao
Mar 3
The Art and Chemistry of Plasmonics
Amidst a laboratory backdrop, a woman scientist stands confidently, dressed in a crisp white lab coat. The lab coat features her name, Amy L. Non, Ph.D., elegantly embroidered on the left side, while the seal of the University of California adorns the right sleeve.
Dr. Amy Non
Apr 7
The Misuse of Race and Ancestry in Genetics Research
A fair-skinned woman with blonde hair stands next to a black-painted window and door unit. She is wearing a black and white striped shirt underneath a black, translucent, long-sleeved button-up shirt with white polka dots. She wears her shoulder-length hair parted to the left. Her earrings are visible, hanging near her right ear. Outside, green trees can be seen through the window. She has a slight smile on her face.
Cassidy Tomlinson
May 5
Epigenetics: Trauma's Embodiment
A medium-shot studio portrait of a light-skinned, middle-aged woman with straight, chin-length black hair parted to her left, wearing a deep plum-colored, loose-fitting blouse, and gold, ornate dangling earrings set against a solid black background.
Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti
Jun 2
Our Accelerating Cosmos
A medium shot of a woman with light-brown hair, smiling against an artistic backdrop. The woman has a fair complexion, light-brown eyes, and a warm, friendly smile. Her hair is styled with subtle beach-like waves, falling to just above her shoulders, with warm light-brown highlights that catch the light. She is wearing a dark-blue or black top with a gentle scoop neckline. The artistic background features an impressionistic landscape with light-green tones and muted yellows, punctuated by spots of red scatt
Anna Rosen
Jul 7
Making (Massive) Stars on (Super)Computers
A black and white photo shows a light-skinned male sitting with his knees up while wearing sunglasses. The subject has dark curly hair that is close to his head with some loose curls on his forehead. He is wearing dark sunglasses with circular rims. His hands are clasped together and positioned near his mouth. His right wrist has a wristwatch with a light-colored band. He's wearing a long-sleeved shirt or light jacket over a dark undershirt. The shirt is buttoned up to the middle of his chest. He is wearing
Alexander (Sasha) Gershunov
Aug 4
Weather on Steroids: Extreme events in California's changing climate

Save the Date  

Making (Massive) Stars on (Super)Computers
Jul 7 at 10:30–11:30am

Massive stars, those more than eight times the mass of our Sun, are rare – yet they have a profound impact on their surroundings. They shape and drive the dynamics of gas within star-forming galaxies and forge many of the elements essential to life.

In this talk, we’ll explore how astronomers use large-scale numerical simulations and advancing supercomputing power to model their formation and feedback, and how these tools are helping us better understand their role in the universe. 

GCal Outlook
Weather on Steroids: Extreme events in California's changing climate
Aug 4 at 10:30–11:30am

Global warming provides steroids to a few of the regional and local impactful extremes such as heat waves, drought, wildfires, precipitation from atmospheric rivers, and coastal flooding/erosion events. Sasha will give a whirlwind tour of human caused global warming and its influence on a few choice iconic weather patterns that define our Southern California climate.

GCal Outlook
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