Media
Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain
When drugs are taken repeatedly their effects often change. Most people are aware that some effects get smaller and smaller – a phenomenon known as tolerance. However, the repeated use of drugs of abuse can also lead to a very different kind of change; some drug effects get bigger and bigger – a phenomenon known as sensitization. Brain regions that are normally involved in regulating motivated behavior are among those that can undergo sensitization, and as these brain systems become hypersensitive this can lead to a pathological increase in the desire (motivation) to take drugs. In this talk, Dr. Terry E. Robinson will focus on the ways drug abuse can change the brain, how this influences behavioral and psychological function, and how such changes may contribute to the transition from mere drug use to addiction.
Dr. Terry E. Robinson is the Elliot S. Valenstein Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the U-M Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and is known internationally for his research concerning the persistent behavioral and neurobiological consequences of repeated psychostimulant drug use, and the implications of these for addiction and relapse.
Media
Backyard Brains: DIY Neuroscience with Greg Gage
Greg Gage, neuroscience PhD and founder of Backyard Brains, joins us to discuss and demonstrate topics in do-it-yourself neuroscience. Gage introduces neurological basics, tells the story of cyborg scorpions, and invites volunteers from the audience to assist in an experiment in anesthetizing, operating on, and listening to the neuron spike of a South American cockroach.
Media
Nerd Nite #29: Everyone Can Teach a Robot
Ever felt too busy to do the laundry or too tired to cook? What if a robot could help you with all of this someday in the future? Developments in robotics are bringing this dream closer to reality by making robots that can imitate people and learn new actions. One day, you may be teaching your own robot how to make your favorite cocktail!
About Zhen Zeng: Zhen is a PHD student at the University of Michigan in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on robot object manipulation. When she’s not teaching Baxter the Robot to see, move, and think, she enjoys volleyball and card games.
Media
Nerd Nite #29: Back to the Future of Back to the Future
It’s the Future today! October 21, 2015 is the day Marty McFly visits in Back to the Future 2. Let’s take a detailed look at what they thought today would be like 30 years ago, and see what they missed, and what they nailed. READ MY FAX!
About Eli Neiburger: Eli is Deputy Director at the Ann Arbor District Library and has given lots of talks across the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but this is his very first talk that’s not about libraries! You may have seen him leading the Nintendoland Family Band at the Water Hill Music Festival. You can follow him on Twitter at @ulotrichous.
Media
Nerd Nite #29: Where's My Hoverboard?
Ready to assume vivid astro focus? Nick Tobier's talk follows the evolution of space-age design from the euphoria and optimism of the 1950s to the more cynical ‘70s, and shows how artists’ conceptions of the future have influenced history and in turn, our society.
About Nick: Nick is an Associate Professor at the Stamps School of Art and Design and the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. With a background in sculpture and landscape architecture, Nick has long been interested in the social lives of public places and his work has been seen at the everywhere from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood.
Media
Nerd Nite #28: The Sound Heard ‘Round the World’
In our daily lives, we’re used to sound traveling as short as a fraction of an inch (like music from headphones) to as far as several hundred yards (like a football game heard several blocks away). But, over even larger distances, like tens, hundreds, or even thousands of miles, sound can do some very weird and unexpected things. We’ll talk about what sound does, why it does it, and how those surprising behaviors may have influenced the course of history.
About Brian Worthmann: Brian is a PhD student at U of M in Applied Physics studying underwater acoustics and signal processing and was a participant in the RELATE 2015 workshop. When not doing underwater acoustics research, he can be found learning, teaching, or binge-watching Netflix.
Media
Nerd Nite #28: Underground Alliances
PhD student Alex Taylor explains that nearly all plants form intimate symbiotic partnerships with fungi called Mychorrhizae. These fungi grow in elaborate webs through the soil, and then into the plan roots, growing even inside the plant cells, where the plant and fungus have struck a fabulously successful deal. The terms of this deal are straightforward: a trade of sugar for mineral nutrients that plays to the strengths and weaknesses of each partner. Mycorrhizae helped early plants get a toehold on land, and to this day, the vast majority of plants across the globe thrive thanks to their fungal partners. The world would be a barren place without this ancient and strange symbiosis.
About Alex Taylor: Alex is a PhD student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, studying how plants evolved the ability to recognize and partner with bacteria and fungi in the soil. Most days, this involves sitting at a computer and running algorithms on the genome sequences of different plants. He also loves talking and writing about the spine-tingling majesty of science, and co-founded the blog “Thought and Awe” to do just that. In his spare time, Alex is into camping, gardening, and talking about the big stuff over a beer. Find him on Twitter at @ATayters.
Media
Nerd Nite #26: Runs with Lasers
Local laser artist Mike Gould discusses his recent experiences with the Illuminatus Lasers Troupe, including:
– The Quest for Mystic Fire – Lasers at Saline Celtic Festival (because, of course)
– Talks with Lasers lecture/demo to educate kids and families to the wonders of coherency
– Tetraptych: 4 Panels, 12 Lasers, One Wall art piece for DLECTRICITY 2014
– L is for Laser, his science museum piece
Mike has also done lasers for the UM Stadium half-time show during a night game (Notre Dame, we won). He’s part of the Ann Arbor Art Center’s tech+art exhibit, and has made appearances at various Maker Faires, Art Prize, Ignite, FoolMoon, etc.
For more about Mike, wander over to his website, of that of his crew — Illuminatus!
Media
Nerd Nite #25: Plot Twists and Revelations - The Story of Science
When you think of science, what comes to mind? For many people, science springs to mind a collection of facts they tried to memorize for various exams. Veronica Taylor shows another side of science: the story of science. This talk guides viewers on a journey through the drama of the scientific process, how scientific ideas evolve, and how they are are communicated.
Media
Nerd Nite #24 - The Science of Consciousness
Ever wonder what it means to be conscious? Consciousness defines our very existence – we experience it every waking (and dreaming) minute of every day, yet it is one of the most challenging phenomena to define. For thousands of years, humans have posited theories of awareness. Over the last half century, we have finally developed the tools to empirically investigate consciousness.
In this talk, we'll learn about how theories of consciousness have developed over time and see an overview of the cutting edge methods scientists use to create empirically informed models of consciousness. Brian is affiliated with the Center for Consciousness Science at the University of Michigan.
About Brian H. Silverstein:
Brian has been studying consciousness for the better part of a decade. Starting from philosophy, he eventually decided to empirically test theories instead of just talking about them. Now he uses computational neuroscience to study the neurobiology of consciousness with the Center for Consciousness Science at the University of Michigan. Originally from New York, he now lives in Michigan. When he’s not sciencing, he’s usually drawing, cooking, or playing the piano poorly.