2024-25 Public Lectures Series
Date: October 7th, 2024 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
The Impact of Cape Breton's Changing Climate on its Freshwater Resources
Fred Baechler
Senior Hydrogeologist/Hydrologist at EXP Services Inc.
Fred Baechler has been undertaking research on Cape Breton’s changing climate and the impact on its freshwater resources for over 25 years. This talk identifies how Cape Breton’s climate is changing and what is known to date about how it is impacting the island’s ground and surface resources.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96301362744?pwd=DdpC6QaX3c0JWMOcFwR6RltqAkAP7u.1
Meeting ID: 963 0136 2744
Passcode: 252442
To join in-person: Cape Breton University, RBC Theatre CE 258
Date: November 4th, 2024 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
How do Insects Stretch their Physiological Limits in Response to Environmental Stress?
Dr. David Awde
Assistant Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University
Increasing global temperatures and the increased frequency of extreme weather events are likely outpacing the ability of most animals to adequately respond. Small-bodied animals, especially insects, are particularly impacted by seasonal and daily shifts in temperature. In this talk, Dr. Awde will explore the environmental and physiological mechanisms that influence insect responses to temperature change and discuss future work that will compare and contrast these mechanisms using native and invasive species.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/86341808718?pwd=7gTuevyVoo0Vpb7TPyaMaim4HQVukO.1
Meeting ID: 863 4180 8718
Passcode: 577248
To join in-person: Saint Mary's University, SMU Atrium 305
Date: December 2nd, 2024 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
Heart Health is Brain Health
Dr. Erin Mazerolle
Associate Professor at St. Francis Xavier University
How can we keep the mind sharp as we age? What is dementia, and can it be prevented? Why is it important to talk to a healthcare provider if you are noticing problems with thinking or memory? In this talk, Dr. Mazerolle will help answer these questions by describing the tight relationship between heart health and brain health.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD
Passcode: TBD
To join in-person: St. Francis Xavier University, Mulroney Hall (MULH2034)
Date: February 3rd, 2025 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
Ankukamkua’tu, ‘doing treaty’, in Fisheries
Dr. Shelley Denny
Senior Advisor at the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources
Despite the recognition of the treaty right to fish for a moderate livelihood in 1999, little movement toward enhancing governance occurred that respected the authority of both the Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). As a result, the moderate livelihood fishery is contested on the water and land. In this talk Dr. Denny will explore how the Mi’kmaq and DFO could govern Mi’kmaw treaty fisheries using Two-Eyed Seeing.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD
Passcode: TBD
To join in-person: Cape Breton University, RBC Theatre CE 258
Date: April 7th, 2025 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
Understanding the Universe and its Evolution from 2 km Underground
Professor Emeritus Dr. Arthur McDonald
Queen’s University, Nobel Physics Prize 2015
There has been remarkable progress in the past 60 years in understanding the evolution of the Universe since the Big Bang. Major contributions are being made by measurements in deep underground laboratories like SNOLAB, near Sudbury, Ontario. The lowest radioactivity lab on Earth. In this talk by Professor Emeritus Dr. Arthur McDonald, measurements of neutrinos and Dark Matter will be described that address existential questions about the composition and evolution of our Universe.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD
Passcode: TBD
To join in-person: Cape Breton University, RBC Theatre CE 258
Date: May 5th, 2025 at 7:30pm (Atlantic Time)
Stem Cell Proliferation Gone Wrong: Mechanisms Exploited in Cancer Cell Proliferation
Dr. Lori Borgal
Assistant Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University
During human development, stem cells must proliferate in a precisely controlled manner: failure can result in tissues such as the brain not forming correctly. In this talk, Dr. Borgal will introduce molecular mechanisms required for stem cell proliferation, and consider how disruption of these same mechanisms could lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation in cancer.
To join virtually:
Zoom Link: https://smu-ca.zoom.us/j/89597365611?pwd=GCsKOMOAPdiToT2TP80tnZkh42gPbL.1
Meeting ID: 895 9736 5611
Passcode: 966211
To join in-person: Saint Mary's University, SMU Atrium 305
A free public lecture is held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every month, starting from October through to May. Unless otherwise specified, the lectures are held in Atrium 305 at Saint Mary's University Campus, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The NSIS Council meets shortly before each public lecture, at 6:00 p.m.