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IBM researcher kicks off spring Harrington STEM Lecture Series

SUNY New Paltz’s Harrington STEM Lecture Series returns in 2019 with three spring lectures delivered by three of the nation’s most respected scientists and researchers.

Harrington STEM Lectures are designed with general audiences in mind, presented by speakers whose goal is to describe recent advances and share scientific insights in a style that is accessible to experts and non-experts alike.

All lectures are held on the New Paltz campus in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium, beginning at 5 p.m. They are free and open to the public, and include a reception at 4:30 p.m. that offers students, faculty and community members a chance to speak with the visiting scholars.

For the first time this semester, all Harrington STEM Lectures will be livestreamed online. Links to each broadcast can be found below, and will go live a few minutes prior to the lectures’ start times.

This School of Science & Engineering colloquium series is named for John Harrington, the School’s founding Dean, who was dedicated to delivering STEM education to audiences of all backgrounds.


Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m.
“The Chemistry of Computers”
Laura Kosbar, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Research Staff Member
Livestream Link

This lecture, originally scheduled for Feb. 12, was postponed due to weather and will be held on Feb. 26.

Abstract: Computational chemistry has become the key to advances in chemical knowledge including modeling of molecular structure and reactivity, as well as facilitating medicinal chemistry and drug design. What may be less apparent is the role that chemistry has played in the design and manufacture of computers themselves. Advanced materials and chemical processing have been responsible for improving the speed and reliability of computers, as well as reducing the size of powerful microelectronic chips that power all electronic devices – from phones and laptops to video games. This talk will demonstrate how the research and design of materials has contributed to the interconnected information age in which we live.


Tuesday, March 12, 5 p.m.
“Bioethics and Bioengineering: What We Can Do vs What We Should Do”
Stephen Macleod, Loyola University Medical Center, Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Livestream Link

Abstract: Advances in Bioengineering have allowed surgeons to make significant advances in patient diagnosis management. With virtual surgical planning, it is possible to plan surgery and design patient specific implants from the comfort of the office, saving time in the operating room and improving patient safety. Frequently, this technology is used to plan solutions to complications of treatment for other conditions. This presentation will demonstrate some of the developments in bioengineering used for reconstruction of defects complicating other treatments, and discuss the ethics of rendering treatments associated with known significant complications.


Tuesday, April 9, 5 p.m.
“Changing the World of 3D Printing”
Jack Stubbs, University of Central Florida, Director of the Prototype Development and 3D Printing Lab
Livestream Link

Abstract: The Prototype Development and 3D Print Lab at the Applied Research Institute of the University of Central Florida is actively involved in advancing the state-of-the-art of 3D printing. The Institute is developing novel approaches to many areas of application in 3D printing including composite structure approaches to create tunable mechanical properties within 3D printed materials, deformation based additive manufacturing to reduce print time and material use, 3D printed optical waveguides and acoustic arrays. This lecture will review some of the technological advances and application areas in medical simulation, pre-surgical planning, patient specific medical device design and augmented medical devices. Mr. Stubbs will have 3D printed models and materials available to view and discuss.


Visit the School of Science & Engineering online for more information about the Harrington STEM Lecture Series.