header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


This semester, the College of the Canyons Mathematics, Sciences & Engineering Division will host 2005 Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert H. Grubbs as part of the Division’s annual Speakers Symposium Series.

The MSE Speakers Symposium Series is designed to give both students and community members an opportunity to meet renowned research scientists and industry experts currently working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. In addition to learning more about each speaker’s research and particular area of expertise, attendees will also be able to explore the myriad of career options available in these emerging fields.

Each of the six scheduled speaking engagements will consist of a roughly 60-minute presentation, culminating in an open forum discussion which will allow audience members to ask questions, interact with the speakers and dive deeper into the subject matter.

“Once again, we are happy to offer our students and community the opportunity to learn about a wide range of research and technological advances made in the STEM fields,” said Omar Torres, Dean of the college’s MSE Division. “This year’s symposium promises to offer a variety of enhanced opportunities for guests to learn more about materials science, updates in the current Mars exploration mission, atmospheric and earth sciences, biobehavioral science and chemistry.”

Presentations will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings throughout the spring semester, in Boykin Hall, Room 105, located on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus.

As the culminating event in the series, 2005 Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert H. Grubbs (chemistry) will deliver the presentation Fundamental Research to Commercial Products: Applications of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts, from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).

All scheduled events are free of charge and open to the public, however seating may be limited.

 

coc-mathsci

The 2013 MSE Speakers Symposium Seriesschedule is as follows:

 

February 26

Harnessing the Photonic Properties of Silicon Nanostructures for Biomaterials Applications

Dr. Michael Sailor — UCSD, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Abstract: Silicon is best known for the central role it plays in microelectronic and photovoltaic devices. However, the same electronic and photonic properties that make this semiconductor so useful for solid-state applications can also be useful in biology. This presentation will discuss how the properties of silicon can be harnessed for manipulation and imaging of biological systems. In particular, porous nanoparticles of silicon will be discussed. The use of the photoconductivity, photoluminescence and reflective optical characteristics of this material for in-vitro and in-vivo sensing, imaging and drug delivery will also be highlighted.

 

March 5

Mars Curiosity Mission

Mr. Matthew Wallace — Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Abstract: On Aug. 5, 2012, NASA landed the one-ton Curiosity rover inside the Gale Crater on the surface of Mars. The landing marked the first use of the ‘sky-crane’ system, as well as the end of an eight month interplanetary cruise from Earth, and the beginning of an exciting two-year surface science mission. Updates from the landing and the ongoing surface mission will be presented.

 

March 26

The Sun and Global Climate Change

Dr. Dan Lubin— UCSD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Abstract: The earth’s climate depends on both the sun, which provides the energy input, and on the composition of the atmosphere, which traps radiation and maintains a habitable temperature regime. Consequently, the sun is often a source of confusion in the climate change issue. It is common for climate change deniers to ‘blame the sun’ for the increasing global temperatures and changing weather patterns that have been seen. This presentation will clarify how the sun has actually influenced climate change over the historical record.

 

April 16

Fossil Treasures of Santa Clarita Valley

Dr. Richard Squires — CSUN, Department of Geological Sciences

Abstract: Rocks and their fossil contents are vastly different between the southern part (Eastern Ventura Basin) and northern part (Soledad Basin) of Santa Clarita Valley. The reason is primarily the San Gabriel Fault, which bisects the valley. Movements along this fault, as well as along the associated San Andreas Fault, juxtaposed marine (ocean) deposits in the southern part of the valley against mostly non-marine (river and lake) deposits in the northern part. Even though the two basins were created at approximately the same time, they have had very different geologic histories, which will both be examined at this presentation.

 

April 23

Reward, Interrupted: Inhibitory Control and its Relevance to Addictions

Dr. J. David Jentsch — UCLA, Department of Psychology

Abstract: Addiction is a disease. It is defined medically and scientifically as a clinically impairing pattern of compulsive and inflexible reward seeking. All addictions involve the pursuit of rewards (whether they be drugs, food, sex or thrill) that almost all humans find pleasurable, but which only a small proportion of people become addicted to. The research used in this presentation focuses on a number of important questions, while examining why, biologically, it is so hard for some to resist the attraction of drugs, even when they are trying hard to do so. A discussion of the brain mechanisms that contribute to vulnerability and resilience to addiction, along with an understanding about how brain molecules contribute to addiction will also be included. This presentation will address an assortment of issues and attempt to show how neuroscientific research can inform the social understanding of a long misunderstood disease.

 

April 30

Fundamental Research to Commercial Products: Applications of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts

Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, Nobel Laureate (2005) in Chemistry — California Institute of Technology, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Abstract: The olefin metathesis was discovered in the 1960s as a method for the inter-conversion of hydrocarbons. The nature of the catalysts and the mechanism of the reaction was unknown. Fundamental studies of the possible mechanisms of the transformation led to the development of well-defined catalysts that would promote the transformation. Evolution of the catalyst structures resulted in the formation of a family of catalysts, based on ruthenium, that promote the reaction under practical conditions and in the presence of a variety of functionality. The availability of a catalyst that promotesscrambling of the fragments of carbon-carbon double bond by a metathesis reaction in the presence of a variety of fucntional groups, and under normal reaction conditions, has opened a variety of applications that range from the production of tough polymers that are seeing a variety of uses, from the production of highly functionalized pharmaceuticals. The catalysts facilitate synthesis of olefinic materials and have few side reactions. Part of their use in “green” chemistry has been their application to the conversion of renewable materials to useful chemicals.

 

For more information about the College of the Canyons MSE Speakers Symposium Series please contact Omar Torres at (661) 362-3135 or omar.torres@canyons.edu. To read full presentation abstracts and speaker profiles visit www.canyons.edu/divisions/mathsci.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special joint meeting with the Associated Student Government in open session from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024
Holly Hitt-Zuniga has been selected to represent COC and the National Science Foundation’s Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education in Iceland.
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024
When you enter the main floor of the west wing of the California State University Northridge library, you’ll soon notice a new mural blending art, nature and the Indigenous history that the campus sits on.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com