Environmental and cultural experts to speak
This week’s lectures cover a wide berth of cultural territory, from the culture of environmentalism to the culture of African-Americans. Today, Tyrone Hayes will discuss the effects of the herbicide atrazine on amphibians. Tuesday, Jerone Osentowsky will speak about turning green practices into commercial profit. Wednesday, Calvin Mackie will discuss African-American contributions to technology. And on Friday, Wallace D. Best will talk about the role of African-American religion during the Great Migration.
Title: “From Silent Spring to Silent Night: Hermaphroditic Frogs, Breast Cancer and Pesticides”
The Basics: Tyrone Hayes, associate professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley, will speak about the effects of the herbicide atrazine, a potent endocrine disrupter. Atrazine castrates and feminizes male frogs and is also associated with reproductive cancers and birth defects. These consequences have a negative effect on public health. Hayes will also explain how the public can take an active role in policy decisions regarding this important and relevant subject.
The lecture is sponsored by the University Lecture Series and the Distinguished Lecture Series in Environmental Science.
When: Today, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Adamson Wing, BH 136A
Title: “Creating Livelihoods From Greenhouses and Forest Gardens”
The Basics: Jerome Osentowski, director of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, will speak about his experience in urban farming with regard to the ethics of permaculture, a system of agriculture based on the use of renewable resources and the enrichment of local ecosystems. Specifically, Osentowski will explain how he created a viable commercial culinary and medicinal herb and salad greens business. He will also talk about his edible landscape nursery.
The lecture is sponsored by the University Lecture Series and the Distinguished Lecture Series in Environmental Science.
When: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Rangos Hall, University Center
Title: “African-Americans in Technology”
The Basics: Calvin Mackie, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Tulane University and professional speaker, will discuss the contributions of African-Americans to the development of technology. Mackie has won awards for research related to heat transfer, fluid dynamics, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. In addition, in 1992, he co-founded Channel ZerO, an educational and motivational consulting company.
The lecture is sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers, CIT, and CMARC in honor of Black History Month.
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Where: Doherty Hall 2210
Title: “The South and the City: Migration and Sacred Space in an Urban Black Metropolis”
The Basics: Wallace D. Best, associate professor of African-American religious studies at Harvard Divinity School, will discuss the changes in African-American churches in Chicago and the emergence of modern African-American religion during the Great Migration of the early 20th century.
The lecture is sponsored by the Center for African-American Urban Studies and the Economy (CAUSE) as part of the CAUSE Speaker Series.
When: Friday at 5 p.m.
Where: Erwin Steinberg Auditorium, BH A53