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Panel Discussion: Biobanking in the US - Part 1
It's 2009 and science and technology are ushering in a new era of population-based DNA research, requiring massive biological databases. Are we ready for all that this entails? This is the first of four forums hosted by a unique collaboration of scientists, health providers and local spiritual leaders on the subject of biobanks- repositories for blood and DNA- and the ethical, spiritual, and civil implications for society, particularly in Michigan. The goal is to spark a dialogue among members of the Ann Arbor community regarding the implications of biobank development. At this session, guest expert panelists from a variety of scientific, policy and religious perspectives will explore the roles and relationships that government, industry, and science play in the development of biobanks. These forums are hosted and facilitated by the Life Sciences and Society Program of the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, in conjunction with the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County. The April discussions will be moderated by Susan King, Associate Director of the Life Sciences and Society Program and George Lambrides, Executive Director for the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: NASA Astronomer Sten Odenwald Discusses What is New With The NASA Space Program
The Library is extremely pleased to host well-known NASA Astronomer and author Sten Odenwald to discuss what NASA is up to in the 21st century as well as the impediments to its success. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about astronomy, from an award-winning expert. Sten Odenwald is an active NASA educator and author whose media contributions include The Washington Post, Sky and Telescope and National Public Radio. Odenwald has also worked with teachers around the country to develop classroom materials based on his work at NASA. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Researcher Herman Bender Discusses Prehistoric Astronomy in the Upper Midwest
Over the past quarter century, a new field of study called archeoastronomy has developed, investigating astronomical alignments that may have been incorporated or utilized in prehistoric times by ancient people. Years of field research at petroform sites may prove that some of the most unique and oldest archeoastronomy sites in North America - possibly as old as the pyramids in Egypt - are located in southeastern Wisconsin. Join us to learn more about this fascinating topic as independent researcher and amateur astronomer (46 years) Herman Bender discusses Prehistoric Astronomy In The Upper Midwest. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture and Discussion : Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Astronomy (But Were Afraid to Ask): Questions and Answers with UM Professor Timothy McKay
UM physicist and astronomer Timothy McKay presents a brief overview of some of the current ideas and theories in the field of astronomy. He will also talk about the GalaxyZoo project, which uses volunteer amateurs to contribute to galaxy structure research. This will be followed by a Q & A session, where Professor McKay will answer everything you ever wanted to know about astronomy, based on audience questions - so please don't be afraid to ask!Timothy McKay is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Physics in the University of Michigan Physics Department. His current research focuses on fundamental questions of observational astrophysics and cosmology. This event is held in collaboration with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, the theme of which is The Universe: Yours to Discover.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads '09: Award-Winning Author Timothy Ferris Discusses His Book 'Seeing In The Dark'
Acclaimed author Timothy Ferris made a special appearance at this key event of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009. The theme of 2009's Reads program is The Universe: Yours To Discover, and Mr. Ferris' book, "Seeing In The Dark: How Amateur Astronomers Are Discovering The Wonders Of The Universe," has been chosen as the focus of the program. Mr. Ferris discussed his book, as well as his thoughts on astronomy and the universe around us. Timothy Ferris has received the American Institute of Physics prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship. His works have been nominated for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Ferris is the author of 12 books, including "The Whole Shebang," and "Coming of Age in the Milky Way," which was translated into fifteen languages and named by The New York Times as among the leading books published in the 20th century. A former newspaper reporter and editor of Rolling Stone magazine, he has written over two hundred articles and essays for publications such as The New Yorker, National Geographic, Harper's, Nature, Time, Newsweek, Scientific American, The Nation, The New Republic, and The New York Times.
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Local Teacher Robin Frisch-Gleason Presents Antarctica and Climate Change: A Photographic Tour Through Antarctica and ANDRILL (the Antarctic Geologic Drilling Program).
Local elementary school teacher Robin Frisch-Gleason was selected to join a team of educators and scientists to travel to Antarctica last fall as part of the ARISE (Research Immersion for Science Educators) program to study Antarctica's role in global climate change. She led a room-packed discussion at the Library last July, before she began this expedition.Robin returns to AADL to discuss her experience in Antarctica, including images and a discussion of ANDRILL, a program that gives a tremendous amount of information about how the climate of Antarctica has been changing over time.
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2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jonathan Weiner
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Weiner will make a special appearance at Washtenaw Community College (4800 Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor Township) as part of the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. He will discuss his book, "The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time," which was chosen as the focus of this year's Reads program. It is an examination of the groundbreaking scientific research of scientists Peter and Rosemary Grant, who spent years studying Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands and resulted in new ways to look at evolution. A booksigning will follow with copies of the book for sale, courtesy of Barnes & Noble Booksellers. The 2006 Reads theme is Revolutions in Science: the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world.Jonathan Weiner has written several non-fiction books on his biology observations, in particular, evolution in the Galapagos Islands, genetics, and the environment. He won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science for The Beak of the Finch. His other books include Planet Earth, Time, Love, Memory, and His Brother's Keeper: A Story from the Edge of Medicine. His books have also won the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and many other honors. Weiner has served as senior editor of The Sciences, the magazine of the New York Academy of Sciences, and his work has appeared in The New Yorker, the New York Times, New Republic, and the Washington Post. He currently teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads or this event, visit online at aareads.org.
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Antarctica: A Photographic & Geologic Journey
Take a photographic journey through Antarctica when Robin Frisch-Gleason shares stories and images of her geological field work on the frozen continent. She will also discuss the natural history of this spectacular land and her upcoming trip to study Antarctica's role in global climate change. Robin was recently selected to join a team of educators and scientists to return to Antarctica as part of the ARISE (Research Immersion for Science Educators) program. She will be on "the ice" from early October through early December doing a geophysical study of the Ross Sea area and working on cores drilled below the sea ice.The goals of the Research Immersion for Science Educators program are to raise public awareness about Antarctic scientific drilling and to integrate polar geoscience content into a range of learning environments.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: Revolutionary Scientists: The Legacy of Albert Einstein
In 1905, trained in physics and mathematics, Albert Einstein took an office job because he could not find a teaching position. That year, he published three papers detailing revolutionary theories related to space and time, quantum mechanics, and the existence of atoms. The ideas would rock the foundations of science. Join Dr. Zurbuchen as he, through a fascinating audio-visual presentation, carries us back to 1905, when Einstein changed the scientific world forever.Prof. Zurbuchen has a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Bern, Switzerland. He is now Professor at the U-M, focusing on broad areas such as Space Science and Exploration, enabling Astrophysics from Space. He is a recent winner of the US Presidential Early Career Award. The 2006 Read encourages individuals to explore Revolutions in Science -- the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world -- by promoting civic dialogue through the shared experience of one book. A selection committee of community representatives, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Jonathan Weiner's The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2006. Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores. For more information on Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads events, visit the website aareads.org.
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Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads Event - Travel to the Heart of 'The Beak of the Finch' - the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are the habitat for some of the world's most unusual animals and plants, many found nowhere else. Will Weber, owner of Journeys International, will lead us on a tour of this unique area. Joan and Will Weber of Ann Arbor founded Journeys International in 1978 while they were UM graduate students. They are also directors of the non-profit Earth Preservation Fund, an organization supporting conservation and community development projects in Journeys International destinations.Will Weber has been a Nepal Peace Corps Volunteer, a high school math and science teacher, and a conservation officer in the Nepal National Parks. He participated in the original survey and development work which led to Mt. Everest, Langtang and Chitwan National Parks. The book chosen for the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner, chronicles the work of scientists Rosemary and Peter Grant on the Galapogos Islands. This year's read focuses on Revolutions in Science: the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world. AADL will present a multitude of topical programs from through March in conjunction with the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads.