2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture Series

Lecture

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mark Mascal

October 18, 2022

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

Past

About

Fossil-Free Energy, Transportation, and Materials: A Chemist's Tale

The Fellow’s projects in the Greening Diplomacy Initiative Office will be described, including the establishment of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Partner Post Program to promote the transition to zero-emission vehicles at embassies, the incorporation of climate literacy material into FSI tradecraft courses, and carbon-free power procurement. A brief overview of EV technology and research will be given. Finally, an example will be presented of how sustainable chemistry is contributing to the battle against climate change by the development of technologies to produce biobased (non-petrochemical) plastics.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Stephen Eubank

October 11, 2022

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

Past

About

Situational Awareness and Course-of-Action Analysis in Complex Systems: The Role of High-Fidelity, High-Resolution Modeling and Simulation

Attempts to control complex systems are notoriously prone to unintended consequences. Even a complete understanding of individuals' interactions does not always shed light on collective phenomena. Traditional approaches to such problems in statistical physics make assumptions that are often unwarranted in social systems. This talk will explore how modern computing allows us to create practical models for informing policy, drawing on experiences in infectious disease epidemiology and transportation.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Jason Knouft

September 27, 2022

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

Past

About

Climate Change and the Potential for the Weaponization of Water

Climate change is altering water availability and leading to unprecedented water shortages in many parts of the world. The resulting water insecurity can lead to political instability and conflict. This conflict may involve the weaponization of water, where control over access to water is used to oppress individuals or gain advantage over rivals. This lecture will review instances where water has been weaponized and how changes in climate may increase the frequency of these types of actions in 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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Lincoln Carr

September 9, 2022

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

Past

About

Quantum Information Science: Building Positive International Relationships through Near-Future Technologies

Quantum physics was invented in the 1920s and has continued developing for over a century to create vital technologies we all use every day, such as lasers and magnetic resonance imaging. Quantum physics is presently undergoing a fusion with current information technology to invent new modes of sensing and measurement such as GPS-independent navigation; new secure forms of communication including the structure of the future internet; and new concepts in computing with the potential for extreme speed-up on key computing tasks ranging from all-pervasive encryption protocols to radical new forms of quantum matter. We call this fusion Quantum Information Science (QIS). In this talk, I will first give simple explanations of what QIS is, how it works, and what present and near-future technologies it is generating. Then I will review the six pillars of the U.S. National Quantum Initiative with a special focus on the sixth pillar, international cooperation. How can we use these powerful technologies, some of them with the potential to do great good or great harm, to enhance human well-being and create positive international relationships? How does QIS fit into the bigger picture of critical and emerging technologies? What lessons might we learn from building international cooperation in QIS that can be applied toward creating a positive playing field for science and technology writ large? How do we balance, on the one hand, open science, support for the international scientific community, and research integrity; with, on the other hand, dual-use and research security concerns?

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Kevin Krizek

August 30, 2022

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

Past

About

How We Can Reshape Urban Infrastructure & Improve Access

Urban areas form to allow access—the efficient exchange of goods, services, and ideas. The time is ripe to think critically about how planning for urban infrastructure serves those urban ideals. Transport practices, specifically, embed energy, equity, climate, and safety costs that modern societies can and should reduce. Doing what we've done for the past century will produce the same problems. Cities can swiftly change course now, thereby yielding many benefits. I offer the "what, why, and how" to efficiently modernize urban transport infrastructure by prizing human-scaled vehicles + appropriating new networks for their use. Drawn from 30 years studying cities and transport, I offer a practical 3-point strategy to reform our expectations of how streets are used, one that provides big gains with small costs.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Kurt Paterson

August 16, 2022

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

Past

About

Climate Solutions: Fast and Slow

The global nature of climate change warrants global action. Yet, that same scope can become an excuse for inaction. The U.S. Department of State has been instrumental in the international development of key climate policy, setting in motion global responses over the coming decades. This talk, instead, looks at the Department's options to quickly lower its own greenhouse gas emissions, especially overseas. After compiling a global dataset that integrated source activities across organizational functions, a greenhouse gas inventory was built. Estimates of the emissions from Posts around the world will be shared, providing foundational benchmarks, and decision-making frameworks, for assessing effective emission reduction strategies. Two example cases will be presented to explore locally-effective approaches. These kinds of solutions may help overseas Posts reduce the Department's greenhouse gas emissions to our planet's atmosphere, demonstrating climate leadership through responsive changes in operational practices.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Eric Davidson

August 9, 2022

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

Past

About

Manure Happens: Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen "Equities" of the State Department

Humans have profoundly altered the global nitrogen (N) cycle, even more than the carbon cycle. Global and regional impacts include effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) on climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion, effects of agricultural runoff and human sewage on coastal waters that are critical nurseries for regional and global fisheries, effects of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on regional air quality, and effects of fertilizer shortages and price spikes on global food security. These cascading effects of a single element – N – interact in ways that magnify their impacts on the environment, economics, and human health. Solutions to improve N management require cross-sectoral, cross-ministerial, and cross-disciplinary approaches.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Richard LeSar

August 2, 2022

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

Past

About

Learning and Assessing Learning Outcomes: A Practical View

This talk represents some of the work I did during my time at the USAID Center for Education. After a few words about the (splendid) work of the Center, I will focus my talk on what learning is (and is not) and the challenges in measuring learning outcomes. I will discuss the role that the teacher (e.g., Professor) must play to help guide the students’ learning. I will also present some practical ways to use capstone projects and formative assessments as part of an integrated teaching, learning, and assessment process.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mohan Dangi

July 26, 2022

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

Past

About

Global Tools and Techniques to Manage Local Solid Waste Problems: Social, Cultural, and Economic Impediments

Successful solid waste management in developing countries requires tools and techniques from technical, institutional, social, cultural, and economic disciplines. While solid waste management is a global problem, the solutions must be applied locally to address the complexity entailed in social and economic structures. The presenter will use his extensive first-hand experiences, observations, and research of solid waste management efforts in Madagascar, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and the United States to provide insights into how solid waste can be dealt with by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in international operations.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Erick Jones

July 19, 2022

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

Past

About

How Global Emerging Technologies Can Support ESG, Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains

How America's Supply Chains resiliency is impacted by international events has become an important topic. Natural disasters, geopolitics, and concerns over a sustainable future for our planet have created a new normal that impacts the cost of food, gas, and electronics necessary to maintain our way of life. This presentation provides a framework on how Supply Chains can be resilient and support the circular sustainable and green economy through emerging technologies. Technologies such as Blockchain, QR codes/RFID, and AI that support eCommerce will be shown in a framework that supports global standards and diplomacy. A simplified case study using EV battery supply chain and recycling will be discussed in context on how development banks, governments, and industry can invest in an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) future that includes small businesses and foreign policies that support the middle class.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Janet Ellzey

July 12, 2022

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

Past

About

Universities as Partners in Development: Learning from the Resilient Africa Network

How can universities advance development, particularly Locally Led Development (LLD)? Can they leverage their wide range of expertise and community connections to facilitate positive social and economic change? Dr. Janet Ellzey, a Jefferson Science Fellow in USAID's Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnership Hub, believes universities can be, and in some cases already are, key partners in development. In this seminar, she will present a brief introduction to LLD, and discuss one example, the Resilient Africa Network (RAN) led by Makerere University in Uganda; a long-running partner of USAID and member of the Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) as a model for university participation in development. She concludes with a broader discussion of opportunities and challenges for universities, both in the US and in partner countries, wanting to participate in this field.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Humberto Campins

June 14, 2022

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

Past

About

International Collaborations for Planetary Defense

As a civilization, we must protect our planet against asteroid impacts. Devastating impacts have happened (e.g., the dinosaur extinction) and will happen again if we do nothing. A brief introduction to asteroid impact hazards will be given, and two current international collaborations will be discussed: (1) NASA's OSIRIS-REx and Japan's Hayabusa2 Asteroid Sample Return Missions, and (2) NASA's DART & Italy's LICIACube missions.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Sundaram Gunasekaran

May 17, 2022

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

Past

About

Meet the New Meat!

Meat, especially beef, is a highly greenhouse gas emissions-intensive food product. Given this reality, protein demands of the still growing world population and the need for environmental sustainability should be carefully balanced. After all, food is the single strongest lever to optimize the health of both humans and the planet we call home. Cellular agriculture, i.e., growing meat in the lab, is touted as an alternative to alleviate the huge carbon footprint of conventional animal agriculture. In this lecture, the what, why, how, and when of cultured meat production will be examined with an eye toward our sustainable 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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Andrew Wilcox

April 19, 2022

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

Past

About

Hydropower Systems at the Nexus of Water, Energy, and Climate Security

Hydroelectric power plays an important role in global energy systems and will continue to do so as countries seek to meet growing demand, electrify, and decarbonize. Yet hydropower dams can have substantial environmental and social impacts. This talk will apply interdisciplinary perspectives on complexities and sustainability issues surrounding global hydropower systems.

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Beth Guertal

April 12, 2022

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

Past

About

A Brief History of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Its Use in Agriculture

This talk will cover the history and development of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer and how N fertilizer has impacted history, hunger, and the environment. It will also discuss the role various types of N fertilizers play in crop production and the environment, from explosions to methamphetamine to corn.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

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

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Amy Townsend-Small

March 22, 2022

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

Past

About

Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Supply Chain and Other Sources: Finding Best Targets for Emissions Reduction in the Global Methane Pledge

Methane is a greenhouse gas that is up to 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Global methane concentrations are currently growing at an increasing rate. Unlike carbon dioxide, methane has multiple anthropogenic and natural sources. In this presentation, these sources will be discussed as well as the largest sources of methane emissions from the oil and gas supply chain, which has been identified as the best target for emissions reduction mitigation in the Global Methane Pledge.

Contact

Leah Probst

(202) 334-2652
lprobst@nas.edu

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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2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture Series

Dropdown items

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mark Mascal

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Stephen Eubank

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Jason Knouft

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Lincoln Carr

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Kevin Krizek

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Kurt Paterson

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Eric Davidson

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Richard LeSar

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Mohan Dangi

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Erick Jones

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Janet Ellzey

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Humberto Campins

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Sundaram Gunasekaran

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Andrew Wilcox

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Beth Guertal

2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellowships Distinguished Lecture: Amy Townsend-Small