Archive for April 2015

*Template – copy and paste into a new Post

Monday, March 23

Seminar: Title
Speaker, Title, University
Abstract:
Time, Place

Tuesday, March 24

Seminar: Title
Speaker, Title, University
Abstract:
Time, Place

Wednesday, March 25

Seminar: Title
Speaker, Title, University
Abstract:
Time, Place

Thursday, March 26

Seminar: Title
Speaker, Title, University
Abstract:
Time, Place

Thursday, March 27

Seminar: Title
Speaker, Title, University
Abstract:
Time, Place

April 27-May 1

Monday, April 27

Physics Seminar: Grad School Panel
Two recent alums who are studying at the U of MN will be joined by a senior physics major.  They will talk about their experiences and answer questions about grad school.
Elliot Schmidt ’12, Lauren Snyder ’12 & Lucas Sletten ’15
7:30 pm, RNS 208

Joint Neuroscience and MSCS Seminar:
Breaking the Speech Code: A Neuroinformatic Approach
Chris Boven, UIUC
Neurophysiologists have long relied on a standard set of visualization and statistical techniques for the analysis of neural spike trains. With the rise of so-called machine learning algorithms and the availability of more powerful hardware, new approaches tothis problem are being explored which have the potential to enhance our understanding of speech and the auditory system.
3:30 pm, RNS 310

Tuesday, April 28

Mathematical Biology Senior Showcase:
6:30 pm, RNS 2nd Floor Atrium – Poster session and dessert. Senior Mathematical Biology concentrators that will be presenting are: Emily Berry, Ben Liska, Elaine Rood, Martha Sudermann, Amy Waananen and Julia Wolter.
7:00 pm, RNS 290 – Speaker: Claudia Neuhauser, University of Minnesota
The Role of Big and Small Data in the Life and Health Sciences: Big and small data are ubiquitous in the life and health sciences: We use genomics data to diagnose and treat diseases, sensor data to measure physiological variables, satellite data to track land use changes.To generate the data, we develop novel technologies. The data are probed with a variety of computational tools. Mathematical models are used to uncover mechanisms and make predictions. Mathematics and statistics provide the foundation for the models and tools. They are also a way of thinking. We will discuss a number of application areas to illustrate how mathematics and statistics play an important role in gaining a greater understanding in these various applications. Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of communicating the knowledge extracted from the data and will introduce some principles from design to facilitate communication.

Wednesday, April 29

Physics Colloquium: Guiding Cracks with Geometry
Noah Mitchell ’12, Ph.D. Candidate at University of Chicago, Department of Physics
2:00 pm, RNS 210

MSCS Game Night: St. Olaf and Carleton faculty and staff with join together for a fun, challenging epic game night!
7 – 10 pm, RMS 6th Floor Lounge

Thursday, April 30

Chemistry Distinction Seminars:
Dain Brademan ’15
The Differentiation of Cotton, Silk, and Wool Cloth Fibers via Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
Zach Rolfs ‘15
Fiber Analysis Via Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
William Wertjes ’15
Pending title.
6:30 p.m. in RNS 310 Refreshments will be served

Friday, May 1

MSCS Seminar: Raina Robeva – Sweet Briar College
Boolean Approximations of Differential Equations Models that Capture Bistability
Boolean Notwork (BN) and Finite Dynamical System (FDS) models of complex biological interactions have recently emerged as viable companions to differential equations (DE) models. Unlike DE models, FDS models do not require detailed knowledge and information about the reaction kinetics of the system. This makes them better suited in the modeling of large biological networks where many important details about the individual interactions and reactions may be unknown. FDS models provide “coarse-grained” approximations of the system’s dynamics and are qualitative in nature. Thus, it is not immediately clear whether such models are capable of capturing the multi-stability behavior exhibited by many biological systems, a feature that would generally depend on the specific values of the model parameters.  The talk will present some background on FDS models, then use the lactose (lac) operon in E. coli as a model system to introduce BN approximations of delayed DE models. The focus will be on the ability of BN models to capture the well-known bi-stability behavior of the lac operon.
3:00pm, RNS 204

April 20-25

Monday, April 20

Biology Distinction Candidate Presentations

Seniors applying for distinction in biology will be presenting their research. Stop by and check out their work. Refreshments provided.

4:00 PM Regents 4th Floor Atrium

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Alexander S. Phearman ‘15, Synthesis of IrIII(NNN-pincer) Complexes for Alkane Dehydrogenation
Thomas Bearrood ‘15, Synthesis of a Mechanophore for Triggering Self-immolative Polymer Depolymerization
6:30 p.m., in RNS 310  refreshments will be served

Tuesday, April 21

MSCS Presentation – Euler Characteristic and Data Analysis

Matthew Wright, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
Euler characteristic is much more than a number associated with polyhedra — it is a marvelous mathematical tool that can help solve a wide variety of problems. For example, Euler characteristic can help classify polyhedra and determine the number of pentagons on a soccer ball. Yet Euler characteristic has many diverse applications in the world of data analysis. Euler characteristic is the basis for an integration theory that can solve applied problems that arise in sensor networks and image processing. I will give an introduction to Euler characteristic and demonstrate various applications. This talk will also highlight connections to current research and open problems that are accessible to students.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Wednesday, April 22

 Biology Seminar/St. Olaf Molecular Science Club (StOMolS) is hosting Dr. John Wagner of the University of Minnesota to discuss his research: 7:00 PM in RNS 150
John E. Wagner, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, and Co-Director of the Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He holds two endowed chairs—Children’s Cancer Research Fund/Hageboeck Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research, and the University of Minnesota McKnight-Presidential Chair.

Dr. Wagner’s research is focused on the development of novel molecular and cellular therapeutics for treating life-threatening malignant and non-malignant diseases for which conventional treatments are unsatisfactory. Current projects in the setting of umbilical cord blood transplantation include: ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, isolation and expansion of regulatory T cell populations, isolation and expansion of thymic progenitor cells and use of engineered T cells to target residual leukemia. Dr. Wagner is recognized for pioneering the use of double umbilical cord blood transplantation in adults, use of embryo selection to insure an HLA matched, healthy child (‘savior sibling’) for couples at high risk for a genetic disease, and use of stem cell populations to repair the skin in severely affected children with epidermolysis bullosa. The University of Minnesota has performed nearly 1100 umbilical cord blood transplants to date.

MSCS Presentation – Feedback-Mediated Dynamics in the Kidney: Mathematical Modeling Analysis
Hwayeon Ryu, PhD. Duke University, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
The glomerular filtration rate in the kidney is controlled, in part, by the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) system, which is a negative feedback loop that mediates oscillations in tubular fluid flow and in fluid NaCl concentration at the nephron level. In this loop, there are two parameters, TGF gain and delay, which are important in better understanding of the stability of the feedback system. In this talk, I will begin with a biological motivation of why mathematical modeling is useful in biology and continue with an introduction of the kidney and nephron. Then I will present the mathematical tools used to identify the

systematic dependence of the stability of the TGF system on the above-mentioned two parameters, TGF delay and gain.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Thursday, April 23

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Kirsten Overdahl ’15:  LC-MS Detection of Abused Drugs in Packaging Residues
Research Abstract presented to PittCon 2015 Conference
Sarah Elder ’15:  Human Scent Differentiation by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Katherine Nash ’15:  Tetrahymena thermophile Proteomics Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

RNS 390,  6:30 p.m. refreshments will be served

MSCS Math Across the Cannon – A combined event with St. Olaf and Carleton College

Amie Wilkinson from the University of Chicago
Amie has won several awards for her work in dynamical systems and ergodic theory. This is a great chance for students the meet a famous mathematician and to take in a couple lectures. There will be three opportunities to meet or listen to her speak:

Dessert Party
2:00 – 3:00 Women in MSCS are invited to a social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
Prof. Wilkinson works in dynamical systems:
Can a butterfly flapping its wings in Minnesota cause a hurricane in Florida?  The so-called “butterfly effect” is an example of a deterministic system that is sensitive to small changes, and is part of the mathematical field known as dynamical systems.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Prof. Purin (purin@stolaf.edu) by Tuesday, April 21.

A dynamical way of thinking
2:00 – 3:00 student social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
3:30 Bouliou 104 at Carleton College
Abstract: The modern mathematical field of Dynamical Systems encompasses a wide range of subdisciplines and techniques. As its scope spreads into more and more areas of mathematics, one is led to redefine Dynamical Systems as a mode of thought, an approach to problem solving. I’ll illustrate how a dynamical way of thinking can be applied in a variety of contexts, and how it informs our current perspective.

What are the odds?
7:00 Viking Theater at St. Olaf College
8:00 – Reception to follow talk
Abstract: How do we think about the chances of rare events occurring, and are unlikely events really all that unlikely? This talk will explore two complementary themes: 1) the emergence of apparent structure and order from completely random processes; and 2) how unrandom, deterministic processes can produce seemingly random output.

Friday, April 24

Monday, April 20

Biology Distinction Candidate Presentations

Seniors applying for distinction in biology will be presenting their research. Stop by and check out their work. Refreshments provided.

4:00 PM Regents 4th Floor Atrium

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Alexander S. Phearman ‘15, Synthesis of IrIII(NNN-pincer) Complexes for Alkane Dehydrogenation
Thomas Bearrood ‘15, Synthesis of a Mechanophore for Triggering Self-immolative Polymer Depolymerization
6:30 p.m., in RNS 310  refreshments will be served

Tuesday, April 21

MSCS Presentation – Euler Characteristic and Data Analysis

Matthew Wright, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
Euler characteristic is much more than a number associated with polyhedra — it is a marvelous mathematical tool that can help solve a wide variety of problems. For example, Euler characteristic can help classify polyhedra and determine the number of pentagons on a soccer ball. Yet Euler characteristic has many diverse applications in the world of data analysis. Euler characteristic is the basis for an integration theory that can solve applied problems that arise in sensor networks and image processing. I will give an introduction to Euler characteristic and demonstrate various applications. This talk will also highlight connections to current research and open problems that are accessible to students.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Wednesday, April 22

 Biology Seminar/St. Olaf Molecular Science Club (StOMolS) is hosting Dr. John Wagner of the University of Minnesota to discuss his research: 7:00 PM in RNS 150
John E. Wagner, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, and Co-Director of the Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He holds two endowed chairs—Children’s Cancer Research Fund/Hageboeck Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research, and the University of Minnesota McKnight-Presidential Chair.

Dr. Wagner’s research is focused on the development of novel molecular and cellular therapeutics for treating life-threatening malignant and non-malignant diseases for which conventional treatments are unsatisfactory. Current projects in the setting of umbilical cord blood transplantation include: ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, isolation and expansion of regulatory T cell populations, isolation and expansion of thymic progenitor cells and use of engineered T cells to target residual leukemia. Dr. Wagner is recognized for pioneering the use of double umbilical cord blood transplantation in adults, use of embryo selection to insure an HLA matched, healthy child (‘savior sibling’) for couples at high risk for a genetic disease, and use of stem cell populations to repair the skin in severely affected children with epidermolysis bullosa. The University of Minnesota has performed nearly 1100 umbilical cord blood transplants to date.

MSCS Presentation – Feedback-Mediated Dynamics in the Kidney: Mathematical Modeling Analysis
Hwayeon Ryu, PhD. Duke University, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
The glomerular filtration rate in the kidney is controlled, in part, by the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) system, which is a negative feedback loop that mediates oscillations in tubular fluid flow and in fluid NaCl concentration at the nephron level. In this loop, there are two parameters, TGF gain and delay, which are important in better understanding of the stability of the feedback system. In this talk, I will begin with a biological motivation of why mathematical modeling is useful in biology and continue with an introduction of the kidney and nephron. Then I will present the mathematical tools used to identify the

systematic dependence of the stability of the TGF system on the above-mentioned two parameters, TGF delay and gain.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Thursday, April 23

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Kirsten Overdahl ’15:  LC-MS Detection of Abused Drugs in Packaging Residues
Research Abstract presented to PittCon 2015 Conference
Sarah Elder ’15:  Human Scent Differentiation by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Katherine Nash ’15:  Tetrahymena thermophile Proteomics Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

RNS 390,  6:30 p.m. refreshments will be served

MSCS Math Across the Cannon – A combined event with St. Olaf and Carleton College

Amie Wilkinson from the University of Chicago
Amie has won several awards for her work in dynamical systems and ergodic theory. This is a great chance for students the meet a famous mathematician and to take in a couple lectures. There will be three opportunities to meet or listen to her speak:

Dessert Party
2:00 – 3:00 Women in MSCS are invited to a social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
Prof. Wilkinson works in dynamical systems:
Can a butterfly flapping its wings in Minnesota cause a hurricane in Florida?  The so-called “butterfly effect” is an example of a deterministic system that is sensitive to small changes, and is part of the mathematical field known as dynamical systems.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Prof. Purin (purin@stolaf.edu) by Tuesday, April 21.

A dynamical way of thinking
2:00 – 3:00 student social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
3:30 Bouliou 104 at Carleton College
Abstract: The modern mathematical field of Dynamical Systems encompasses a wide range of subdisciplines and techniques. As its scope spreads into more and more areas of mathematics, one is led to redefine Dynamical Systems as a mode of thought, an approach to problem solving. I’ll illustrate how a dynamical way of thinking can be applied in a variety of contexts, and how it informs our current perspective.

What are the odds?
7:00 Viking Theater at St. Olaf College
8:00 – Reception to follow talk
Abstract: How do we think about the chances of rare events occurring, and are unlikely events really all that unlikely? This talk will explore two complementary themes: 1) the emergence of apparent structure and order from completely random processes; and 2) how unrandom, deterministic processes can produce seemingly random output.

Monday, April 20

Biology Distinction Candidate Presentations

Seniors applying for distinction in biology will be presenting their research. Stop by and check out their work. Refreshments provided.

4:00 PM Regents 4th Floor Atrium

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Alexander S. Phearman ‘15, Synthesis of IrIII(NNN-pincer) Complexes for Alkane Dehydrogenation
Thomas Bearrood ‘15, Synthesis of a Mechanophore for Triggering Self-immolative Polymer Depolymerization
6:30 p.m., in RNS 310  refreshments will be served

Tuesday, April 21

MSCS Presentation – Euler Characteristic and Data Analysis

Matthew Wright, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
Euler characteristic is much more than a number associated with polyhedra — it is a marvelous mathematical tool that can help solve a wide variety of problems. For example, Euler characteristic can help classify polyhedra and determine the number of pentagons on a soccer ball. Yet Euler characteristic has many diverse applications in the world of data analysis. Euler characteristic is the basis for an integration theory that can solve applied problems that arise in sensor networks and image processing. I will give an introduction to Euler characteristic and demonstrate various applications. This talk will also highlight connections to current research and open problems that are accessible to students.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Wednesday, April 22

 Biology Seminar/St. Olaf Molecular Science Club (StOMolS) is hosting Dr. John Wagner of the University of Minnesota to discuss his research: 7:00 PM in RNS 150
John E. Wagner, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, and Co-Director of the Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He holds two endowed chairs—Children’s Cancer Research Fund/Hageboeck Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research, and the University of Minnesota McKnight-Presidential Chair.

Dr. Wagner’s research is focused on the development of novel molecular and cellular therapeutics for treating life-threatening malignant and non-malignant diseases for which conventional treatments are unsatisfactory. Current projects in the setting of umbilical cord blood transplantation include: ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, isolation and expansion of regulatory T cell populations, isolation and expansion of thymic progenitor cells and use of engineered T cells to target residual leukemia. Dr. Wagner is recognized for pioneering the use of double umbilical cord blood transplantation in adults, use of embryo selection to insure an HLA matched, healthy child (‘savior sibling’) for couples at high risk for a genetic disease, and use of stem cell populations to repair the skin in severely affected children with epidermolysis bullosa. The University of Minnesota has performed nearly 1100 umbilical cord blood transplants to date.

MSCS Presentation – Feedback-Mediated Dynamics in the Kidney: Mathematical Modeling Analysis
Hwayeon Ryu, PhD. Duke University, (candidate for MSCS teaching position)
The glomerular filtration rate in the kidney is controlled, in part, by the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) system, which is a negative feedback loop that mediates oscillations in tubular fluid flow and in fluid NaCl concentration at the nephron level. In this loop, there are two parameters, TGF gain and delay, which are important in better understanding of the stability of the feedback system. In this talk, I will begin with a biological motivation of why mathematical modeling is useful in biology and continue with an introduction of the kidney and nephron. Then I will present the mathematical tools used to identify the

systematic dependence of the stability of the TGF system on the above-mentioned two parameters, TGF delay and gain.
3:00pm in RNS 310

Thursday, April 23

Chemistry Distinction Seminars

Kirsten Overdahl ’15:  LC-MS Detection of Abused Drugs in Packaging Residues
Research Abstract presented to PittCon 2015 Conference
Sarah Elder ’15:  Human Scent Differentiation by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Katherine Nash ’15:  Tetrahymena thermophile Proteomics Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

RNS 390,  6:30 p.m. refreshments will be served

MSCS Math Across the Cannon – A combined event with St. Olaf and Carleton College

Amie Wilkinson from the University of Chicago
Amie has won several awards for her work in dynamical systems and ergodic theory. This is a great chance for students the meet a famous mathematician and to take in a couple lectures. There will be three opportunities to meet or listen to her speak:

Dessert Party
2:00 – 3:00 Women in MSCS are invited to a social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
Prof. Wilkinson works in dynamical systems:
Can a butterfly flapping its wings in Minnesota cause a hurricane in Florida?  The so-called “butterfly effect” is an example of a deterministic system that is sensitive to small changes, and is part of the mathematical field known as dynamical systems.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Prof. Purin (purin@stolaf.edu) by Tuesday, April 21.

A dynamical way of thinking
2:00 – 3:00 student social hour in CMC 206 at Carleton
3:30 Bouliou 104 at Carleton College
Abstract: The modern mathematical field of Dynamical Systems encompasses a wide range of subdisciplines and techniques. As its scope spreads into more and more areas of mathematics, one is led to redefine Dynamical Systems as a mode of thought, an approach to problem solving. I’ll illustrate how a dynamical way of thinking can be applied in a variety of contexts, and how it informs our current perspective.

What are the odds?
7:00 Viking Theater at St. Olaf College
8:00 – Reception to follow talk
Abstract: How do we think about the chances of rare events occurring, and are unlikely events really all that unlikely? This talk will explore two complementary themes: 1) the emergence of apparent structure and order from completely random processes; and 2) how unrandom, deterministic processes can produce seemingly random output.

Friday, April 24

Chemistry Seminar
Dr. James Johns,  Department of Chemistry
University of Minnesota
“New Tools for New Materials:  Towards ultrafast spectroscopy on the Lansdale”
RNS 310 3:00 seminar refreshments, seminar will begin at 3:15

 

 

April 13-17

Monday, April 13

No Seminars

Tuesday, April 14

No seminars

Wednesday, April 15

No Seminars

Thursday, April 16

Phenology Walk with the Student Naturalists
Join the St. Olaf Student Naturalists this Thursday, April 16th at 4:00 pm to take a phenology walk through the Natural Lands! We will be looking for signs of spring including spring ephemerals, arriving migratory birds, and any other fun flora and fauna we can spot. Also join us if you are interested in hearing about the ecological research being done at St. Olaf or the diverse natural habitats of the Natural Lands! We will be meeting outside of the Science Library. This event is in collaboration with SustainAbilities “Quiet Day”.
Questions? Email boll@stolaf.edu
 unnamed

Friday, April 17

Biology Seminar: Understanding Range Collapse in Large African Carnivores
Andrew Jacobson, St. Olaf Biology major ‘05
Graduate student, University College London/Zoological Society of London
3:00 PM RNS 410
East Africa holds globally significant, yet declining, populations of lions Panthera leo, cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus and African wild dogs Lycaon pictus. These carnivores contribute to multi-billion dollar tourism operations, and as apex predators help regulate ecosystems; however, they are also responsible for significant human and livestock deaths. Despite their status as large carnivores, these species vary in their susceptibility and reaction to threats. Illegal killing and habitat loss via land conversion are two primary threats to large carnivores. Using recently released human population estimates and newly created data on land conversion, I investigate these carnivores’ susceptibility to their primary threats using two species distribution modeling approaches to ascertain which environmental factors explain current distribution. Results from this research will aid in determining appropriate management and conservation strategies. Identifying how species respond to land conversion and human population increases will enable land use planners to better designate zones where large carnivores can survive despite increasing human populations and land conversion.

MSCS Seminar: Matching Method for Nodal Solutions of Boundary Value Problems With Integral Boundary Conditions
Tom St. George, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Carroll University
In this talk, I will be discussing a result on existence of solutions, with certain zero counting properties, to boundary value problems involving double Riemann-Stieltjes integral boundary conditions. The proof of this result rely on the matching method. A result on nonexistence of solutions with certain zero counting properties will also be discussed.
3:35 PM RNS 204

 

April 6-10

Monday, April 6

No Seminars:

Tuesday, April 7

Psychology Seminar: Career Talk
Dr. St. Louis: Neurologist
6:00 p.m., Buntrock 144

Wednesday, April 8

Seminar: The “Perfect Problem”: Climate Change through an Educator’s Lens,
Craig Johnson, White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy

Craig Johnson engages students at Apple Valley’s School of Environmental Studies in authentic, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning relevant to climate change, ranging from field studies in Alaska to observing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.   He will talk about the synergies between his educational practice and the problem of climate change.  Refreshments will be served.
7:00  pm in RNS 210

Thursday, April 9

No Seminars:

Friday, April 10

No Seminars: