Louisiana Tech set to launch 2016-17 New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series
RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech University is preparing for the launch of the 2016-2017 edition of its highly-popular New Frontiers in Biomedical Research seminar series, featuring interdisciplinary collaborations and research discussions with some of the nation’s most renowned scientists and speakers.
The 2016-2017 New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series schedule continues to expand on critical areas beyond the research bench to explore related career paths and the responsibility of research and education. Over the past three years, the program has continued to grow and demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research. The seminar series now involves four of the academic colleges at Louisiana Tech, with 11 individual programs participating, creating a truly interdisciplinary seminar series.
The success of the seminar series has led to recognition within academia of Louisiana Tech and its co-organizers, Dr. Jamie Newman, assistant professor of biological sciences and the Scott Weathersby Endowed Professor of Zoology and Premedicine, and Dr. Mary Caldorera-Moore, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering and Science. Newman and Caldorera-Moore presented on the development and success of the series at the 2016 American Society of Engineering Education conference held last summer in New Orleans.
“We are excited about the continued popularity and growth of the series and incorporating more departments and programs at Louisiana Tech,” said Newman. “The enthusiasm for the series across campus and the community has been great for the success of the series and, in turn, the success of the students and faculty involved. We are especially proud this year to have original student art work featured on the cover of our program brochure.”
In addition, Newman, Caldorera-Moore and Nicholas Bustamante, associate professor and program chair of studio art at Louisiana Tech, have been invited to present at the 2017 Louisiana Academy of Sciences meeting to be held in March 2017, on the new digital painting course that introduced students to medical illustration and the development of a curriculum track for students interested in pursuing this field.
“This past year, with the collaboration between biology, engineering and art, we saw the series become more than we had imagined,” said Caldorera-Moore. “We now work with four of the colleges on campus to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research and science, bringing together students and faculty to form novel collaboration that benefits the university.”
Two lectures during the 2016-2017 series will highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the seminar program. In collaboration with Louisiana Tech’s Waggoner Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, and Sigma Xi research society, the series will host Dr. Karen Kashmanian Oates, dean of Arts Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, who will speak on her involvement in promoting civic engagement and responsibility of scientists. In partnership with Louisiana Tech’s School of Design, the series will also feature Natalie Doolittle, director of medical animation, high impact and syntropy studios, who will present on the professional field of medical illustration and the need for visual communication of science.
The 2016-2017 New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series will begin on October 24 with Dr. Claude Bouchard, John W. Barton Sr. Chair in Genetics and Nutrition at the Human Genomics Laboratory and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Bouchard will share his research on “Physics, Physiology, and Behavior as Drivers for the Obesity Epidemic” at 3:30 in University Hall.
The series continues to be supported by a number of community and university organizations including donations from the community and the Lincoln Health Foundation (LHF) which seeks to improve health outcomes for members of the community. Support is also provided by Louisiana Tech University’s Office of the President, College of Applied and Natural Sciences, College of Engineering and Sciences, and Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Sciences.
“I am very pleased with the impacts this seminar series is having on our campus,” said Louisiana Tech President Les Guice. “The leadership provided by our faculty in organizing meaningful seminars from such renowned researchers is truly appreciated. This is stimulating new collaborations and ideas for research that we had never anticipated.”
All New Frontiers in Biomedical Research seminars are free and open to the public. Seminars begin at 3:30 p.m. at University Hall on the Louisiana Tech campus and are recorded for future viewing. For more information on the series, a schedule of speakers, and to view recordings of the seminars, visit the New Frontiers in Biomedical Research website at http://biomedicalresearch.wix.com/new-frontiers or contact Dr. Jamie Newman at [email protected].
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