Talk Archives

Is Mars the next step in human exploration of the solar system? What would it take to live and work on the red planet, and what will future explorers need to know in order to survive Martian extremes? Join Dr. Joseph Levy on a journey of endurance and exploration from Earth’s remotest outposts to the surface of Mars. Special appearance by Dr. Jeannette J. Epps, NASA Astronaut.

Discover how superheroes like the Avengers use chemistry to keep villains in check and save the world, and how forensic chemistry can help real-life crime fighters. Join Dr. Burks as she shares her experiences, from working in a crime lab to being a professor and TV personality, all while developing research tools for chemical sleuthing.

Hurricane Harvey dumped thirteen trillion gallons of rain on southeast Texas in August of 2017. Do extreme storm events like Harvey impact the coral reefs off Texas’ coast, in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary? Dr. Correa shares ongoing research connecting the Gulf Coast, extreme weather, and reef ecosystems. Supported by the Leon Jones Hot Science - Cool Talks Endowment.

Texas is a demographic and climatic hot spot. In the 21st century, our region is projected to undergo a doubling of its population and a shift to a more drought-prone climate. This poses synergistic challenges for our state's resources, economy, cities, and public health. 21st Century Texas is a lively discussion of Texas’s challenges and potential solutions by leading experts in their fields.

If we all want love, why is there so much conflict in our most cherished relationships? What is evolutionary psychology and how can it provide insights to human mating behavior? Dr. Buss shares insights on how conflict, competition, and manipulation pervade human mating. Due to the content of this talk, we recommend it for high school seniors, college students and adults only.

Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, is the land of lemurs. It is home to over 100 lemur species, including the “sifaka”. Sifaka are unusual primates with crazy-eyed stares, amazing leaping abilities, and societies where females are at the top of the hierarchy (primate Wonder Women!). Join Rebecca Lewis as she talks about the unique challenges of fieldwork in Madagascar and shares her research on the behavior, social relationships, and power in sifaka societies.  

Bees are one of the hardest working insects on the planet. Many of the more than 20,000 bee species in the world are key to the pollination of hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of crops including coffee, cotton, blueberries, and almonds! But many bee species are being threatened by human-related activities such as agricultural intensification, natural habitat alteration, and climate change. Join Dr. Shalene Jha as she discusses her research on bee populations and shares the secrets of their amazing world.

Lucy, a fossil more than 3.2 million years old, is among the oldest, most complete skeletons of any adult, erect-walking human ancestor. Dr. Kappelman shares the fascinating story of how one of the oldest cold cases in the world was solved.

What risks does climate change pose to Texas? Is a safe and sustainable future possible, given our energy and economic interests, and widespread political rejection of these risks? And why are evangelicals so opposed to accepting the science of climate change? Join us for a lively discussion with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and an award-winning communicator.

What does the future of health care look like? Will you screen yourself for disease with your smartphone? Never wait for a doctor? Wear a hospital gown that preserves your modesty? Hear how the new Dell Medical School at UT Austin Is working to make Austin a model healthy city.