A Deep Look into the Future of Biology Celebrating 60 years of UC San Diego’s School of Biological Sciences

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Host: Kit Pogliano, Dean of the School of Biological Sciences

In recognition of Earth Day, UC San Diego researchers will offer a range of perspectives on how the climate, human activities and other forces interconnect with our natural world. Hear from leading scientists on: renewable materials that are paving the path to a sustainable future; the value of nature reserves as living laboratories; the benefits of immersing yourself in nature to form an “Earth Connection;” and the impacts of rising CO2, temperature and drought on plants. Join us to hear fresh perspectives on understanding and conserving Planet Earth.

March 4th, 2021

Host: Kit Pogliano and Kim Prather

Join us for a stimulating International Women’s Day/Women’s History Month conversation with Rita Colwell, the groundbreaking microbiologist and first female director of the National Science Foundation. In a conversation with Dean Kit Pogliano and Professor Kimberly Prather, Colwell will discuss the themes and issues covered in her recently published book, “A Lab of One’s Own—One Woman’s Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science.” The book has been described as a riveting “memoir-manifesto” that describes the entrenched sexism in science, the elaborate detours women have taken to bypass the problem and how to fix the system. Colwell describes the sheer joy a scientist feels when moving toward a breakthrough and the thrill of uncovering a whole new generation of female pioneers. Also considered a science book for the #MeToo era, Colwell offers an astute diagnosis of how to fix the problem of sexism in science—and a celebration of the women pushing back.

February 25th, 2021

Speakers: Pradeep K. Khosla, Omar Akbari, Rommie Amaro, Dan Kolk

Host: Kit Pogliano

Along with global health and economic devastation, the COVID-19 pandemic has forged an unprecedented path to research and education innovation. Bold scientific advances and cooperation led to a novel vaccine developed in record time, groundbreaking tools for detecting viruses and a pioneering vision for safely educating students. Join us on Feb. 25 as we discuss the trailblazing insights and innovations that led to the broad success of UC San Diego’s Return to Learn program with Chancellor Khosla, along with scientists leading groundbreaking innovations related to detecting and analyzing SARS-CoV-2, as well as the industry and government response to COVID-19.

Speakers: Maria Rosario (Happy)Araneta, Jess Mandel, Francesca Torriani

Host: Suresh Subramani

The pain and devastation caused by COVID-19 continues down an uncertain path. Health experts continue to grapple with infections at an alarming rate. Yet, not all communities are impacted the same way. Hear from front-line health and medical experts as they discuss disparities in the clinical impact and outcomes of COVID-19, their first-hand experiences and lessons learned in dealing with the disease. Also, as the economy continues to suffer from the pandemic, hear about scalable and practical solutions for returning to work in a safe environment.

Speakers: Steve Hedrick, Kim Prather, Kim Rubinstein and Sherry Seethaler

Host: Kit Pogliano

The year 2020 has put science in the spotlight as never before. From wearing masks during the pandemic to questions surrounding vaccinations, science has been thrust into the center of our lives with social media, allegations of fake news and political mistrust fanning flames of doubt. In a program co-sponsored by the Research Communications Program, a panel of experts will discuss core issues of science communications, public distrust and authenticity, with a focus on issues intertwining the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speakers: Jon Beckwith

Host: Sonya Neal (intro by Kit Pogliano)

Please join us for an intimate discussion with microbiologist and geneticist Jon Beckwith of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Beckwith is the author of “Making Genes, Making Waves: A Social Activist in Science” and will discuss the history of scientific and social activism and the teaching of social issues in biology. Along with having a successful scientific career, Dr. Jon Beckwith has been one of the scientific community’s most influential champions of social justice and civil liberties. He has openly supported the Black Panther Movement and was among the first in his field to warn the world about the danger of genetic engineering. He has over 50 publications dealing with issues such as discrimination and misuse of behavior genetics. He was a member of the Working Group on Ethical, Legal and Social Implications committee of the Human Genome Project and was an important organizer of the international organization, Science for the People. Since 1983, he has taught a course on Social Issues in Biology at Harvard University, one of the first courses of its kind.

Speakers: Emily Troemel, Matthew Daugherty, and Justin Meyer

Host: Suresh Subramani

UC San Diego infectious disease researchers provide an overview of the biology and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cause of COVID-19 disease which is sweeping the globe in a pandemic. They share their expertise in the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions and viral life-cycles and how they relate to this global challenge.

Speakers: Emily Troemel, Matthew Daugherty, and Stephen Hedrick

Host: Suresh Subramani

In the second from the A Deep Look into COVID-19 series, UC San Diego infectious disease researchers provide an overview of the potential for treatments and vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cause of COVID-19 disease which is sweeping the globe in a pandemic. They share their expertise in the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 host-pathogen interactions, epidemic and pandemic cycles, and pathways to vaccines to respond to this global challenge.

March 4, 2020

Speakers: Omar Akbari, Steve Briggs, John Evans and Hannah Grunwald

The field of genetics is exploding with a new world of discovery in which biologists are now regularly creating novel methods to address urgent global crises—from halting malaria to increasing food production. Along with leading science, UC San Diego researchers are addressing critical ethical concerns that are inherently linked with cutting-edge discovery.

February 5, 2020

Speakers: Stephen Mayfield, Beverly Naigles, Elizabeth Villa and Marty Yanofsky ’78

Innovative technologies and breathtaking discoveries are fundamentally changing the future of biological sciences. From astonishing, never-before-seen visualizations of biological processes to recent breakthroughs in conserving our planet’s precious resources, biological innovations are forging novel paths in health, disease and a sustainable future.