Research in Science Summer Program 2025 Seminar Series

All seminars begin at 12:00pm in Shanklin 107 unless otherwise specified.

• June 12: Laverne Melón

  Neurons on the rocks: tuning inhibition and intoxication in the brain

  Laverne Melón, Biology and Neuroscience & Behavior

• June 20: Cassie Liu '13

  "Data, Trials, and Ethics: Research in the Clinic."

   

  Cassie Liu, MD, PhD, Stony Brook Medicine

  Cassie Liu is currently an internal medicine resident physician at Stony Brook Medicine. She is an alumna of Wesleyan University (2009-2013), Professor Erika Taylor’s lab (2011-2013), and Wesleyan’s undergraduate summer research program (2012). She received her MD and PhD degrees at the University of Nebraska Medical Center through its MD-PhD dual degree program. She has extensive experience in cancer research, teaching transferable skills curriculum for physician scientists, and creating spaces that foster inclusion and belonging. She has received several awards for her leadership, mentorship, and service to underserved communities.

• June 26: Sonia Roberts

   Making Robots Soft

  Sonia Roberts, Computer Science and the College of Design and Engineering Studies
  

   

• July 7: Claire Palmer '14, MA '16

  Building a Sustainable Future Through Microbiology

  Claire Palmer '14, MA '16, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Dr. Claire Palmer is currently a USDA NIFA postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her BA and MA in molecular biology and biochemistry from Wesleyan University, where she conducted research in Professor Scott Holmes’ lab and participated in Wesleyan’s undergraduate summer research program. Claire received her PhD in cell and molecular biology from the University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate work, Claire engineered an industrial yeast species to generate valuable products that are typically sourced from petroleum. Currently, she is investigating the interactions between bacterial species living on and near plant roots, with the goal of enhancing agricultural sustainability.

   

• July 10: Francis Starr

  From Neural Networks to Garbage and Back Again: How Molecules Guided Me through Science

  Francis Starr, Foss Professor of Physics
  

  The Starr group focuses on the emergent complexity of soft matter physics and materials science. We combine computational and theoretical methods to explore glass formation, DNA nanotechnology, polymer materials, supercooled water, and phase change materials. See the research page for more details. In Prof. Starr's group, undergraduates and graduates work side-by-side, emphasizing the connections of our work to those of our experimental collaborators.

  Prof. Starr was a founder of the College of Design & Engineering Studies (CODES) and the associated IDEAS minor and major which aim to prepare students for real world success at the intersection of design and engineering.  Prof. Starr was also the inagural director of the College of Integrative Sciences which supports innovative student research across disciplines.

• July 17: Anthony Cummings

  Anthony Cummings, Earth and Environmental Sciences
  

  Bio and title of the talk forthcoming.

• July 25: KEYNOTE LECTURE
  The Keynote speaker will be Erika Taylor, Professor of Chemistry and Director of WesMaSS.