Biology Seminar, Saul Lecture: Dr. Vincent Lynch, University of Buffalo

The quest for, and impossibility of, immortality.

A public lecture, sponsored by George B Saul II lecture fund and the Biology Department.

Why do we get sick, old, and die?

Theoretically there is no reason organisms cannot live forever. However, except for maybe one animal, every thing that has ever lived, and will live, will get old, sick, and die.  But if immortality is possible, why hasn’t it evolved?

Biology Seminar, Saul Lecture - Dr. Vincent Lynch, University of Buffalo

Cancer, aging, Peto’s paradox

Evolutionary theory predicts that large animals, because they have more cells than smaller ones should have higher cancer prevalence than the small ones; similarly long-lived animals, which have a long time to acquire cancer causing mutations should have higher cancer prevalence than short lived ones but do not. In fact the cancer prevalence in mammals averages 50-10%. What mechanisms underlie this apparent disconnect between theory and observation?

Come meet fellow Environmental Studies majors, minors, and faculty. Learn more about the major and opportunities in the program and get any questions answered prior to spring registration. 

Prospective majors and minors are also encouraged to attend. 

Apples, cider, and cider doughnuts will be served.

Tabi Joda is an internationally influential figure in the ecological, sustainable development, and resilient agriculture movement. He is the Ambassador of the Great Green Wall Initiative of the African Union, UN Consultant, and coordinator for One Billion Trees for Africa—a movement promoting tree planting to combat the Sahara Desert and building sustainable micro-agriculture systems across the Sahel. While his work is in the realm of ecology, his work rests first on the local human ecosystems that must be strong and healthy for sustainable local projects to succeed.

“Regional Trash, Urban Harm: Environmental Justice Dialogue in Greater Hartford, CT” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Abigail Fisher Williamson, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Law at Trinity College.

From Single Cells to Satellites: Genomics-informed virus-microbe ecology across scales

Julia Brown, Senior Research Scientist, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences 

Women in Data Science (WiDS) Middlebury aims to celebrate the participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work in the field. Come listen to mini research talks by Middlebury professors, and be inspired by our keynote speaker Professor Kaitlyn Cook, a biostatistician from Smith College. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend! Lights snacks and refreshments will be provided.

“Educating for (Climate) Change” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk featuring:

Bill McKibben, Schumann Distinguished Scholar of Environmental Studies,
Jon Isham, Director of the Environmental Studies Program and Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies
Dan Suarez, C.V. Starr Fellow in International Studies and Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Minna Brown ’07, Director of the Middlebury Climate Action Program

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs program on Science, Technology, Environment and Global Affairs presents “Bridging Science and Community for Climate Solutions” with Kyla Westphal.