2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture Series

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: John Leslie

September 26, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Fusarium, Mycotoxins, and Global Food Security

Global food security is a complex topic with a Pandora’s Box of human and natural causes such as conflicts, pests, diseases, and weather that reduce yield and food safety. Fungi in the genus Fusarium can attack most commercial crops and synthesize noxious metabolites termed mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are found on the U.S. Select Agent list and may cause human misery through reducing immune system activity, blocking proper fetal development, and inciting cancer. Climate change will increase disease and mycotoxin problems. The size of the interdisciplinary research community focused on mycotoxins and Fusarium diseases is indicative of the collaborative efforts needed to increase resilience to the threats posed by these fungi to crop health and food safety. To reduce global food security problems and to enable individuals and societies to withstand external shocks to the food supply, however, societal changes that build on scientific and technological advances also must occur.

Contact

Selam Araia

(202) 334-1923
saraia@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mark Seielstad

July 25, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Impacts of Climate Change on Global Health: Mitigation and Adaptation

Within the past year, the human population exceeded 8 billion. Some estimates suggest that we, together with the animals that feed us, comprise 97% of vertebrate biomass. While economists assume no limits to growth, biologists are skeptical that current patterns of consumption are sustainable. Greenhouse gas emissions and global warming threaten recent gains in global development. The work of USAID is at the forefront of our global efforts to avoid the worst outcomes and adapt to an uncertain future. Two illustrative cases from programs in the Bureau for Global Health’s Tuberculosis and Neglected Tropical Disease Programs will be presented.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Udaya DeSilva

July 11, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Of Cows and Men: The Past, the Present, and the Future of Human Consumption of Milk

Humans domesticated cattle approximately 11,000 years ago in multiple regions of the world independently. Consuming cow’s milk began shortly thereafter and has since played a significant role in human migration, nutrition, and survival. In this lecture, I will explore the history of cattle domestication, the evolution of lactase persistence, the development of the dairy industry, and its relevance in the modern world. Furthermore, I will delve into the future of milk in an overpopulated world, including automation, plant-based milk alternatives, and the potential of synthetic lab-grown milk.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Lourdes Norman-McKay

June 29, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Closing Gaps to End HIV/AIDS as a Global Public Health Threat by 2030 and Improve Global Health Security

In 2003, a staggering 36% of people in certain parts of sub-Saharan Africa had a death sentence––they were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At that time, there was no access to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. Now, thanks to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), over 25 million lives have been saved; more than 5.5 million babies have been born HIV free; and we are positioned to make what started as a dream, a reality––ending HIV/AIDS as a global public health threat. Now, the largest commitment by any nation to globally address a single disease is shifting from an emergency response to a sustained response. But what does that evolution to a sustained response entail? How can it be shaped in a way that concomitantly protects against broader health threats? Come learn about the epic global public health journey that saved a generation and will lead our world into the next stage of global health security.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Naresh Thadhani

June 13, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Building the Embassy of the Future: Materials Matter

Building an embassy in every climate, time zone, landscape, and political environment in the world requires comprehensive considerations of safety, security, functionality, local impact, and cost of ownership. This talk will highlight materials that are critical to building design and construction. To date, materials innovations have addressed solutions to problems within the metrics of code-based designs, limited to concrete and steel - major contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. Future challenges (resource availability and climate change) require new directions. Opportunities abound to leverage the palette of sustainable new and legacy materials with performance-based design and modeling for building the embassy of the future.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Cynthia Ebinger

June 6, 2023

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Environmental Science Diplomacy for Climate Change and the Energy Transition

The impacts of climate change are felt worldwide, with coastal cities bearing the brunt of sea level rise and the increasing number and intensity of tropical storms. Sinking ground caused by groundwater, oil and gas extraction, and sand mining for construction exacerbate coastal flooding. Characterization of coastal change informs urban planners and infrastructure projects during the transition to renewable energy. Efforts to diversify and expand the critical minerals supply chain require the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance standards and recycling to build a circular economy.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Tim Mewes

June 1, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

The Past, the Present, and the Future of Artificial Intelligence

In 2022, multiple large machine learning models were released to a broad audience and consequently, artificial intelligence received significant public attention. In this talk, I will explore important contributions that have inspired artificial intelligence as we know it today. I will also provide a closer look at some of the important fundamental concepts of neural networks that form the basis of current state-of-art machine learning models. The talk will conclude with an outlook on the future of artificial intelligence and some of the ethical issues we will have to address.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Akhlesh Lakhtakia

April 18, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

NEW MODALITIES FOR U.S.–INDIA COLLABORATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

India’s National Education Policy 2020 aims to radically change the Indian education ecosystem. During the past year, new modalities have been formulated to foster strong collaborations between Indian higher-education institutions and their foreign counterparts. These modalities have begun to intensify student-mobility and joint-research partnerships of U.S. and Indian higher-education institutions.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Joel Adams

March 21, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

LEVERAGING PARALLELISM AND DISTRIBUTION TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND RESILIENCE

In this talk, we present an overview of how the techniques of parallelism and distribution have been used to improve the performance and resilience of computing systems throughout the history of computing. Beginning in the 1930s, we trace the usage of these techniques, explore the factors motivating their use, and see the benefits they have provided as computing systems evolved through the present day. We also examine the uses of these techniques in the near-future, including how they are being applied in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and supercomputing.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Travis Marsico

February 7, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Biodiversity's Foundational Role in Planetary and Human Security

Human civilizations have developed in a time of stable climate and abundant biodiversity. These planetary conditions and resources have promoted unprecedented population growth and resulted in unsustainable (and sometimes criminal) extractive practices. Destabilized natural systems caused by biodiversity loss, species redistribution, and rapid climate change threaten lives and livelihoods around the world. In addition to a thematic overview, I will provide specific policy-relevant examples.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Lecture

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: David Budescu

January 31, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

Harnessing the Wisdom of Crowds: Lessons about Judgmental Forecasting

The talk will describe research conducted as part of two large-scale forecasting competitions sponsored by the Intelligence Advanced Research Project Activity (IARPA). The competitions involved elicitation of probabilistic forecasts of geopolitical events from large groups of volunteers, and aggregation of these forecasts to maximize the collective accuracy. The talk will describe some of the projects seeking to answer practical questions about the size and composition of the forecasting crowd, early identification of forecasting skills, and the surprising benefits of teaming. The talk will highlight the interplay between basic, theory driven, and translational research.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

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2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture Series

Dropdown items

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: John Leslie

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mark Seielstad

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Udaya DeSilva

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Lourdes Norman-McKay

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Naresh Thadhani

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Cynthia Ebinger

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Tim Mewes

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Akhlesh Lakhtakia

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Joel Adams

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Travis Marsico

2022-2023 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: David Budescu