Tag Archives: Upstate Medical University

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique: “Secrets, Strength & Sleep: Three Short Talks with Three Student Scientists”

Saturday – September 16, 9:30-11:00am

Please RSVP to jrcafe@tacny.org

Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology – Syracuse, NY


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Talk 1: “Behind the Cause: How Computational Simulations Can Help Fight Disease,” by Elise White, Senior at Binghamton High School

Overview: Envision a revolutionary ability bestowed upon you allowing unlimited insight into the complex depths of your body and the biological world. You become witness to the thousands of processes and theories described in textbooks, freely watching and even manipulating thousands of atoms and molecules interact on a timescale a billion times smaller than a second. Focus – Alzheimer’s – a disease that attacks your brain and erases its memories. Using this incredible ability, you can attempt to illuminate the cause of such a horrible disease. Join Elise as she shares the journey of doing precisely that, and learn how computational simulations are revolutionizing modern research!

Short biography: Propelled by a family tragedy, Elise began researching the Tau protein and the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. As a result, Elise became a 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, where she received a Special Award. She also was selected to compete in the New York State Science Congress, and was there awarded highest honors in the physical sciences.

Talk 2: “Making Cool Things Out of Light,” by Hari Nanthakumar, Senior at Christian Brothers Academy

Overview: As part of the Hosein Research Group of Syracuse University, Hari creates materials that are ultra-light and ultra-strong. They can be applied in spaceships and airplanes resulting in fuel-efficiency, making travel much cheaper and requiring significantly less gas, and allowing spaceships to feasibly reach Mars and other planets. Learn how we make these fascinating materials, all by pointing LED lamps at a liquid and causing an interesting reaction.

Short biography: Hari has performed research at SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University. He was a 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, and there received an Honorable Mention from NASA. Hari published a paper as lead author in Elsevier’s Results in Physics, was a 2x Silver Medalist at the GENIUS Olympiad, and was featured in reports by NewsChannel 9 WSYR and SU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Talk 3: “Sleep or Sleeplessness?” by Neil Khurana, Senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School

Overview: Sleep plays an important role in our health and well being, but many of us seem to not get enough of it. Sometimes the disturbance of the biological clock may give rise to sleep disorders. Learn about a diagnostic tool, which may drastically change the future of treating the global sleep epidemic!

Short biography: Neil worked as an intern at Quadrant Biosciences, and volunteered as a research assistant at the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences at Upstate Medical University. Neil was a 2017 Intel International Science Fair Finalist, and there received a third-place award.

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique, a program for middle-school students founded in 2005, features discussions about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere and seeks to encourage students to consider careers in these areas. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can explore the MOST at no cost after the event.

Technology Alliance of Central New York

Founded in 1903 as the Technology Club of Syracuse, the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York’s mission is to facilitate community awareness, appreciation, and education of technology; and to collaborate with like-minded organizations across Central New York.

For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique: “The Eyes Have It! The Incredible Evolution in Ophthalmic Surgery”

Saturday – May 20, 9:30-11:00am

Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology – Syracuse, NY


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Please RSVP to jrcafe@tacny.org

Speaker

* Robert W Weisenthal MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Upstate Medical University

Talk Overview

Twenty eight hundred years ago, Sushrata, a physician from India, treated cataracts (clouding of the lens) through couching, i.e., sticking a needle through the front part of the eye and pushing it to the back of the eye. After a perfect operation there “will be shining like the dazzling sun in cloudless sky.” Needless to say we have come a long way from then. Learn how the evolution of modern technology has profoundly changed our ability to help those who cannot see. Find out what this small but incredible part of our body does on a daily basis to allow us to run and play, read and watch.

Presenters

Dr. Robert Weisenthal has spent 30 years studying and treating two 24 mm globes found just above the nose and below the eyebrows. He is presently a Clinical Professor and Chief of the Cornea Service at Upstate Medical University. Why has he devoted so much time and effort to this very small but important part of your body training at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Iowa to learn advanced surgical techniques in order to remove cataracts and perform corneal transplant surgery? Because he feels there is no greater gift than to provide sight. He has personally performed over 30,000 eye operations and believe it or not – he is not yet bored, practicing with the same enthusiasm as he had on the first day. He is the founder of Laserview of CNY, the area’s first center for LASIK in 1995, and the area’s first ambulatory surgery center, the Specialty Surgery Center in 2000. He has been named a Best Doctor every year since 2005 and has been awarded the prestigious Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his work in teaching and writing. Most important he is the father of three boys whom he has been watching closely since they were born.

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique, a program for middle-school students founded in 2005, features discussions between scientists and students about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere and seeks to encourage students to consider careers in these areas. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can explore the MOST at no cost after the event.

Technology Alliance of Central New York

Founded in 1903 as the Technology Club of Syracuse, the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York’s mission is to facilitate community awareness, appreciation, and education of technology; and to collaborate with like-minded organizations across Central New York.

For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.