Explore neurobiology and astronomy this fall at College of DuPage STEMinar events
Learn about a broad range of topics related to science, technology, engineering and math through a series of College of DuPage STEMinars this fall on the college's Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.
All STEMinars are free and held in the Health and Science Center, Room 1234.
The Fall 2018 STEMinar offerings feature the following speakers and topics.
• Nim Tottenham will present "Development of Emotion Regulation Neurobiology and the Role of Early Experiences" at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.
Tottenham, a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Developmental Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, will present developmental functional magnetic resonance imaging data describing age-related changes in amygdala-mPFC circuitry throughout childhood and adolescence and how it relates to emergent emotional behaviors.
Her research examines brain development motivating emotional behavior in humans and has highlighted fundamental changes in brain circuitry and the powerful role early experiences have on the formation of these circuits. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Barnard College of Columbia University, her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and received postdoctoral training from the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
• Joseph DalSanto talk about "Black Holes" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10.
DalSanto, an Astronomy professor at COD, will explore the nature of black holes and other questions regarding one of science's greatest mysteries.
Following a 15-year career in IT, DalSanto followed his passion for the sky. Doing presentations for astronomy clubs led to an invitation to perform public outreach and oversee the observatory at Waubonsee Community College. Subsequently, a growing interest in teaching led to DalSanto earning a master's degree in astronomy. He has been a full-time faculty at COD since 2012.
DalSanto's talk also is part of the "Sage Series" through the College's Continuing Education program. The series is free, but registration is required. Please register online at www.cod.edu or call Continuing Education at (630) 942-2008.
For more information about these events, contact College of DuPage STEM Outreach Coordinator Sara Spaniol at (630) 942-3021 or email mccubbinss@cod.edu.
The goal of STEM at College of DuPage is to enhance the quality of STEM instructional and outreach programs and to help current and future students prepare for careers in STEM fields. COD offers a broad range of academic programs designed to provide students with the educational background and training needed to successfully pursue an advanced degree or career in STEM. In addition, the program provides a variety of opportunities for professional development and events such as STEM-CON, an annual interactive, family-based celebration of all things STEM hosted at the college each spring.