Saturday Morning Science Series Kicks Off on Feb. 14

Saturday Morning Science Series Kicks Off on Feb. 14

University and community experts will explore hot topics in modern science in the Saturday Morning Science community series beginning on Saturday, Feb. 14.

The University of Toledo's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics sponsors the annual spring series that invites a faculty or community scientist to present a free, public program on their area of expertise each Saturday. Each program is geared toward a non-expert audience of adults and high school students.

This year's topics range from the biology of male infertility to the chemistry of textile conservation to the physics of night vision.

"The University of Toledo and the surrounding region are home to many scientists who are engaged in cutting-edge research and high-impact innovation," said Dr. Michal Marszewski, the series organizer and an assistant professor of chemistry. "Saturday Morning Science is our way of opening the lab doors to introduce their incredible research to the community. We plan for a wide variety of topics so that everyone who attends can learn something new, whether they join us for just one program or the entire series."

Saturday Morning Science programs begin at 10 a.m. in Wolfe Hall Room 1205 and are preceded by a free, light breakfast provided by Barry Bagels.

• Feb. 14: "Do Sperm Cells Nod Their Heads?" presented by Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss, a professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology;

• Feb. 21: "Weaving Science and Style: The Chemistry of Fashion and Textile," presented by Marissa Stevenson, an associate conservator of textile-based collections at the Toledo Museum of Art;

• March 21: "Monitoring Air Quality by Citizens: The Use of Small, Low-Cost Sensors," presented by Kevin Czajkowski, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning;

• April 11: "Science Behind Night Vision and Infrared Imaging," presented by Nikolas Podraza, a professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy; and

• April 18: "Green Drug Synthesis: The Science of Making Informed Manufacturing Decisions," presented by Michael Young, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

RSVPs are requested but not required. To RSVP or for more information, go to the Saturday Morning Science website.

Free parking for will be available until noon in Area 13, excluding disability, metered and reserved spaces.