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Dean Eppler, a NASA expert on spacesuits for future planetary exploration, will present “Space suits and field geology: How can we do what we do when the outcrop isn’t on the Third Rock?” on Tuesday, March 31, at 4:10 p.m., in room 3024 in the Taylor Science Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” and a couple shrieks were heard in the Taylor Science Center during spring break when two groups of local third-grade students visited for some hands-on science learning with the help of Hamilton’s science faculty. For more than 20 years, Professor of Biology Dave Gapp has organized “Science Exploration Days” which bring classes of elementary school students to Hamilton for guided tours and short lessons in various areas of science.

Since the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953, the study and the understanding of genetics has grown exponentially. Gene therapy, the Human Genome Project, and “designer babies” exhibit the growing interest and relevance of genetics on modern society. Kari Koga ’15, a biology major, has had the opportunity to explore her passion for genetics research for the past three summers with Evolutionary Genomics.

Lisa Randall, author and professor of physics at Harvard University, will deliver the James S. Plant Distinguished Scientist Lecture on Monday, March 9, at 8 p.m., in Wellin Hall, Schambach Center. Randall’s lecture, titled “Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World,” is free and open to the public.

In our society seemingly obsessed with healthy, natural ingredients in everything from food to shampoo, herbal medicines and supplements might seem like a contemporary trend. But their history in fact goes back to the 18th century. A new exhibit at Burke Library is displaying the proof.

Thirty-seven Hamilton students and four science faculty recently joined forces to introduce local middle school students to college-level discussion about public health issues.

Assistant Professor of Physics Kate Jones-Smith led a gallery talk and discussion on the mathematical and scientific concepts reflected in the Wellin Museum’s current exhibition Alyson Shotz: Force of Nature. The Feb. 19 talk explored how different practical and theoretical elements of math and science apply to Shotz’s work on display, many of which are sculptures named after scientific and mathematical terminology. 

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Nathan Goodale is an editor with Washington State University Professor William Andrefsky, Jr., of a new book. Lithic Technological Systems and Evolutionary Theory was published this month by Cambridge University Press.

Ashley Carducci ’15, Bryan Ferguson ’17, Sophie Mayeux ’15, Laura McCormick ’15 and Mason Schoeneck ’15 presented three posters at the 59th Annual Biophysical Society Conference that took place Feb.8-11 in Baltimore.

Junior biochemistry concentrator Ben Wesley received a Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) award for a proposal titled “Development of a Continuous Flow Reactor for Synthesis of Izidine Alkaloids.” Each year, several hundred to 1000 proposals are submitted to Sigma Xi to fund research-related expenses in many different areas of science.  The award program is highly competitive, and only about 15 percent of applications are funded.