Jan. 29, 2010
4-5 pm in 4-1-314
"Everything your advisor won't want you to know about grad school"
Dr. Alex Small (Physics)
Nov. 19, 2009
Tips on Applying to PhD Programs
Dr. Subodh Bhandari (Aerospace Engineering)
Nov. 10, 2009
Ethics in Research
Dr. Mehrdad Haghi (Mechanical Engineering)
Nov. 5, 2009
Applying to Graduate School - Things you should know
Dr. Brita Olson (Electrical Engineering)
Aug. 26, 2009
Informatics Analysis of CpG Islands and Methylation
Near Gene Transcription Start Sites
William P. Bennett (City of Hope), Michael Cui (Indiana University), and Vartan C. Tashjian (California Polytechnic State University, Pomona)
Aug. 19, 2009
"Optics Beyond the Diffraction Limit, or, Don't Believe Everything You Hear in Physics 122!"
Dr. Alex Small (Physics)
Michael Mansell (Physics)
Forrest Requarth (Electrical Engineering)
Edward Shore (Applied Math)
Abstract: It has been known for more than a century that you cannot focus light to a spot smaller than the wavelength of light. It was thus believed that it is impossible to take pictures of things smaller than the wavelength of light, and also that it is impossible to use photolithography to make devices smaller than the wavelength of light. Recently, experimental work has shown that it is possible to overcome this limit in imaging and lithography. We are developing a theory to predict the maximum achievable resolution in imaging with these new techniques. Interestingly, our theory says that the limits are computational, arising from the algorithms used to construct images from data, rather than instrumental (i.e. lens performance is not the key barrier). We have also done simulations of photochemistry controlled with special sequences of laser pulses, to guide experimental work on new lithographic techniques.
Aug. 5, 2009
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Sazinsky, Chemistry Department, Pomona College
Title: "Iron Wars: Episode IV A Ferric Hope!"
July 29, 2009
Trang Lu from Prof. Jill Adler-Moore's lab will talk about work on
making things that release antibiotics at specified temperatures.
Prof. Phyllis Nelson from Electric Engineering and the Center for
Materials Modeling and Molecular Design will talk about their facilities
and projects, particularly the Atomic Force Microscope.
July 15, 2009
Dr. Frank Ewers from the Biological Sciences department, talking about his work on how water moves through plants
July 8, 2009
Title: “A Different Way to Think About the Organization of the Periodic Table: Even Elementary Students Can Do It!”
Presenter: Dr. Jodye Selco, CEEMAST
Abstract: How do you teach the organization of the periodic table for understanding and not memorization – even to young students? This question is critical since California science standards expect 5th grade students to "know that each element is made of one kind of atom and that the elements are organized in the periodic table by their chemical properties." Questions on the state examinations ask students to predict combining ratios within binary compounds as evidence of having learned about the organization of the periodic table! Being able to answer these questions is easy – once you know how to “read” the periodic table. Learning to “read” the periodic table can be accomplished by placing models of atoms onto a periodic table to make visible both the organization of the periodic table, and why the chemistry of elements within a family are similar. This method helps even 5th grade students learn how to decode the periodic table as evidenced by reflections and state CST scores.
July 1, 2009
Differential Inhibition of Amylog Peptides by DP178 Derivatives
Hai Le and P.W. Mobley, Chemistry Department
Abstract: Amyloid peptides readily form plaques made of ?-sheets that are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer ’s disease. Recent work in our laboratory has established that the HIV fusion peptide (FP) shares many properties with amyloid peptides and can be classified as an amyloid homolog or amylog. In parallel experiments with a peptide from the carboxyl terminus of Amyloid beta protein, A?(26-42), and FP we showed that they both formed extensive ?-sheets and large fibrils, lysed erythrocytes, and were inhibited by Congo Red, a dye known to bind to amyloid fibrils. We also showed that the HIV fusion inhibitor, DP178, prevents A?(26-42)- and FP-induced hemolysis. In the present work, we tested the ability of DP178 derivatives to inhibit A?(26-42) and FP activity. We also tested the way of interaction between DP178, A?(26-42), and erythrocyte membrane: DP178 bind to A?(26-42) to prevent A?(26-42) from associating with erythrocyte membrane or DP178 bind to erythrocyte membrane to prevent A?(26-42) from interacting with the membrane.
June 24, 2009
Presenter: Professor Ertan Salik, Physics Department
Abstract: Sensors are ubiquitous in our lives. Practically every technological innovation comes with multiple sensors, whether it is the car you drive everyday or the cell phone you constantly use. We will present our recent results with tapered fiber-optic sensors that we have developed at Cal Poly Pomona. Tapered fiber sensors are simple and low-cost refractive index sensors that can be used in: temperature, stress sensing (physical), chemical concentration, or sensing the amount of toxins, viruses, or bacteria (biological). Applications in various fields are possible: Fundamental science research, oil wells, environmental protection, integrity of buildings, food safety, defense against biological and chemical weapons, and healthcare.
May 12, 2009
Students presented 1-minute talks about their research. Videos are posted online at
http://www.stempipeline.com/08_09Apprentices.aspx
Nov. 5, 2008
Kick-off meeting