2003-2004 Program |
Thursday, September 18, 2003 |
Todd Freeberg (Assistant Professor, Psychology) |
"Social Organization and Vocal Complexity: lessons from the Chickadees" Dr. Freeberg is a specialist in the comparative psychology of communications. His work on the unusually complex vocal communications of birds has been widely published. Some authors have even compared the complexity of chickadee calls to that of human language. His current research investigates whether chickadees use structurally different calls in different contexts, whether different calls convey different meanings to other chickadees, and the relationship between social complexity and vocal complexity seen in this species.
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Wednesday, October 15, 2003 |
Neal Stewart (Racheff Chair of Excellence, Plant Molecular Genetics) |
"Genetically Modified Planet" Dr. Stewart’s research group is active in genetic modification for crop improvement and environmental applications. They are developing phytosensors: plants that can detect plant diseases, explosives, pollutants and potential agents of terrorism and destruction. His presentation will emphasize the theme of his recent book, "Genetically Modified Planet, the Environmental Impacts of Genetically Engineered Plants" (Oxford University Press).
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Thursday, November 20, 2003 |
Alan Lowe (Director, Baker Center for Public Policy) |
"The Baker Center for Public Policy" Alan Lowe is a former top administrator for the nation's presidential libraries. The Baker center will explore the role of the media in the political process, the structure of the American electoral system and the importance of public involvement in governing – a topic of extra interest to those of us alert for the perils and promises of shared governance.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2004 |
John Dougherty (Neurology, UTMCK) ConscJD@aol.com
Dr. Dougherty's presentation will be linked here |
"Neurobiology of Human Consciousness" Dr. Dougherty is that rare clinician with deep interests in the big picture. He has lectured widely on the implications of new findings in clinical neurology for understanding of consciousness. Dr. Dougherty is Medical Director of the Cole Neuroscience Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He is Director of the Alzheimer's program and in that capacity follow more than 1000 active patients with Alzheimer's disease. They are also involved in clinical research and neuro imaging studies involving Alzheimer's patients and have a particular interest in the lack of individual awareness often found in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Thursday, February 19, 2004 |
George Kabalka (Alumni Distinguished Service Professor and Robert H. Cole Professor of Chemistry) |
"Designer Drugs: New Medical Imaging Agents" Nuclear medicine techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) have increased the need for more selective radiolabeled pharmaceuticals. The presentation will focus on the problems associated with developing new radiopharmaceuticals and our current research efforts in neuroscience and oncology. A brief overview of the PET technique will be included in the discussion.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2004 |
Michael Blackwell (Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine) |
"Bio-defense Challenges for Tennessee"
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Thursday, April 15, 2004 |
Wayne Farris (Professor of Japanese History) |
"Population, Famine, and War in Medieval Japan, 1150-1600" Dr. Farris specializes in premodern Japanese social and economic history. He is a world-renowned authority on pre-1600 population, disease, agriculture, the warrior class (samurai), and historical archaeology in Japan.
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