Science and Engineering Colloquium Series presents “Blood Substitutes”

NEW PALTZ — Dr. John Harrington, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at SUNY New Paltz, will be the featured speaker in the April 3 Science and Engineering colloquium. The colloquium, “Blood Substitutes,” will be held this Wednesday in the Coykendall Science Building on the New Paltz campus, beginning with a reception at 4:30 p.m. followed by the lecture at 5 p.m. This colloquium, originally scheduled for March 6, was rescheduled to April 3 due to a snowstorm.

The lecture concerns a possible biochemical solution to a pressing problem in medical science. Donated blood that is used to bring blood transfusions to 4.5 million people a year, is susceptible to both bacterial contamination and to a variety of pathogens. Blood supplies are tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis and the leukemia causing T-lymphotrophic virus, but even these measures don’t protect us from new pathogens, such as the West Nile virus, which may arise at any time.

“For many years Dr. Harrington has helped to spearhead some fascinating work that may well lead to a long term solution to this problem,” said David Clark, Associate Dean of Science and Engineering and coordinator of the lecture series.

These colloquium lectures are designed for a general scientific audience and are given by leading scientists who are available to meet faculty and students during their visits to campus. The public is invited to these colloquia at no charge.

The School of Science and Engineering was established in 2001 to bring a mathematics and science focus to the SUNY New Paltz campus. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geology, Mathematics and Physics. For more information or directions, contact David Clark at (845) 257-3728, or visit the School of Science and Engineering on the Web at www.newpaltz.edu/sse.