January 8, 2013    

Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico: The History and Future of the Texas Coast, with Dr. Kerry Emanuel

The Gulf of Mexico has seen some of the most destructive hurricanes on record.  What can residents in the Gulf region expect future storms to be like? Two weeks before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, leading hurricane expert Dr. Kerry Emanuel published that he had discovered statistical evidence that hurricanes were indeed affected by global warming. He found that the duration and intensity of hurricanes worldwide have increased by about 50 percent since the 1970s and that this trend directly corresponds with a global increase in tropical sea surface temperature. Dr. Emanuel will share his groundbreaking research on how climate change can affect hurricane activity and discuss its implications for the Gulf region.

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February 22, 2013    

Environmental Justice:  Progress towards Sustainability, with Dr. Robert Bullard

Hurricane Katrina provided a startling reminder that environmental health threats such as pollution and climate change disproportionately affect historically disadvantaged communities in our society. Some progress has been made in environmental law and governance, policy and planning in the United States, yet major work lies ahead in order to eliminate disparities and achieve the goal of global health and sustainability. Dr. Bullard will present an insightful account of events, individuals, and organizations that have shaped the environmental justice movement over the past two decades.  He will also describe a framework for how major advances in environmental justice can and should be achieved.  Sponsored by UT's Green Fee and Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.

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March 6, 2013

SPRING 2013 SPECIAL EDITION:  Telescopes as Time Machines: The Legacy of Hubble & the Future through the James Webb Space Telescope

The Hubble space telescope delivered unprecedented scientific insights into our Universe's past and its very creation, as well as breathtaking images.  As Hubble's mission winds down, astronomers are preparing for bold explorations through an $8 billion telescope that is over four times as large as Hubble:  the James Webb space telescope.  Dr. Jason Kalirai is the Deputy Project Scientist for this revolutionary instrument.  He will provide an overview of the stunning discoveries that the Hubble telescope yielded, and outline how the Jame Webb telescope will allow us to peer even deeper into our universe's past to examine stars, planets, and galaxies and help answer some of the most important questions humanity has ever asked, including whether life exists outside planet earth. The telescope will expand our current capabiliteis by more than 100 times!  Webb will undoubtedly revolutionize our understanding of the Universe, and re-write textbooks on astronomy.

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April 4, 2013    

Diagnosing Ourselves: Take Two Assays and Don't Call Me in the Morning, with Dr. Andrew Ellington

Our ability to monitor and maintain our health still largely relies on interactions with the medical community. This dependence is especially unfortunate in resource-poor settings, where the medical community is already stretched thin.  What advances are being made to allow people without medical training to readily detect things like viruses? Can such biotechnology help us understand our own unique physiology?  Dr. Andy Ellington will discuss exciting advances in low-cost, personalized diagnostics and the promise of creating virtual clinical trials through social networks to improve healthcare on a global scale.

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