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307 Bynum Hall
Campus Box 4106
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4106
Tel: (919) 962-6136
When most of us think of scientific lectures, we see a room full of scientists nodding solemnly and slinging jargon behind closed doors. But each Thursday evening this October, the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education will throw open the doors so anyone can see presentations by Carolina scientists, ask them questions and chat with them about their research. The occasion is What's the Big Idea? — a program designed to engage the public with some of Carolina's most innovative minds.
"This is a chance for the community to connect with the University," Continuing Education Program Specialist Megan Granda Bahr said. "It's a way for members of our local community to engage with Carolina's brightest thinkers concerning significant current issues."
The fall series, Materials of the Future, features Carolina researchers in the sciences. The speakers are chosen by an interdisciplinary panel that, Bahr says, provides the sort of unusual collaboration suited to choosing scholars from all fields to present on contemporary issues in groundbreaking research.
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Robert Shelton said the series would energize and inspire participants to think beyond daily pressures and deadlines. "In addition to this personal benefit," he said, "the program affords the opportunity to hear others and learn from the shared wisdom and vision that comes when smart, dedicated people interact."
Materials of the Future is funded by a grant from the N.C. Biotechnology Center, with support from the Friday Center's Nanette V. Mengel Program Development Endowment. Future presentations by researchers in the fields of business, medicine, information technology, government and law are in the works. Bahr hopes that What's the Big Idea? lecture series will happen three times a year, and said the Friday Center and its partners are fundraising for future events.
"Our intention is to make this program free of charge so that it really is accessible to the public," Bahr said.
While there is no charge for this event, registration is required due to space limitations. Register online at www.fridaycenter.unc.edu/pdep or call 962-2643.
For more information on What's the Big Idea? and the lectures in October, visit the web site: www.fridaycenter.unc.edu/pdep/bigidea/.
What's the Big Idea? is presented by the Friday Center in partnership with Endeavors magazine and the Office of Research Development.
Provided by Research and Economic Development.
Editor: Neil Caudle
Writer: Margarite Nathe
Oct. 6: "Smaller, Faster, Cheaper, Better: Lab-on-a-chip Technologies for Chemical and Biochemical Experimentation." J. Michael Ramsey, Minnie N. Goldby distinguished professor of chemistry, will discuss his pioneering research in miniaturizing and automating lab processes.
Oct. 13: "How Could Polymers Affect Your Life?" Joe DeSimone, William R. Kenan Jr. distinguished professor of chemistry and chemical engineering, will discuss his work creating new materials for use in fuel cells and in drug delivery.
Oct. 20: "Nanotechnology — Manipulating Viruses, Molecules and Other Objects Too Tiny to See." Richard Superfine, Bowman and Gordon Gray professor, condensed matter physics, biophysics and microscopy, will discuss the science of the very small.
Oct. 27: "Science and Technology-Based Economic Development Policy." Robert K. McMahan, senior adviser to the governor for science and technology and research professor of astrophysics, will discuss the need for North Carolina to embrace emerging technologies to create jobs.
WUNC 91.5 FM radio will air a round-table discussion with the four featured scientists on The State of Things at noon and 9 p.m. on Oct. 5.