STEAM Speaker Series
The STEAM Speaker Series features lectures on a range of topics covering the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Lectures are offered in the fall and spring semesters and are open to students, faculty and community members.
The series is coordinated by Elias Argyris, Associate Professor of Biology.
Upcoming Talk
Visualizing & Applying CRISPR Adaptive Immune Systems
Bacteria use CRISPR adaptive immune systems to defend against viruses called phages. Dr. Santiago-Frangos shows how CRISPR systems can be reprogrammed to recognize human viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, for fast and reliable diagnostics. Furthermore, his lab uses structural biology to show how bacteria regulate immunity by folding their DNA like origami. Dr. Santiago-Frangos anticipates that many other types of DNA integration events, critical in diverse biological processes from bacteria to humans, are similarly regulated by unique DNA shapes."
Presenter: Dr. Andrew Santiago-Frangos, Assistant Professor of Biology, UPENN
MARCH 24-31 2025 on YouTube
Past Talks
Mathematics in "The Simpsons" and "Futurama"
This talk will explore references to mathematics within episodes of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama." While most serve as quick jokes or as “sight gags,” also discussed will be an example of a mathematical proof that was created (and published) specifically for an episode of Futurama.
Dr. Michael Yatauro, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Penn State – Brandywine
March 25-31, 2024
Basics of Cryptography
Dr. Ramesh Garimella, Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics, Drexel University
February 26-29, 2024 Presentation
A Hyperlapse Tour of Astrochemistry: From Intrastellar Fusion to the Ongoing Search for Potential Chemical Signatures of Extraterrestial Life
Kenneth Koeplinger, DCCC STEM Chemistry Instructor
November 27-30 Presentation
BOEING: "We Don't Only Fly Together; We Build the Future Together"
Sara Boyd, Airworthiness and Certification Engineer, Boeing
November 21 Presentation
"Probably a Statistician: Accepting Uncertainty"
Professor Iain Rakowski, Mathematics, STEM Division, Delaware County Community College
"What Will I Be When I Grow Up? Aviator to Executive to Educator and the Lessons Learned"
Professor John Britto, Chemistry, STEM Division, Delaware County Community College
April 2023
"Rebecca Rutstein: Sublime Nature"
Rebecca Rutstein, Artist
March 2023
"We Can Fix It: A Climate Conversation"
Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability Science at Lund University, Sweden
February 2023
"Getting Beneath the Antarctic Ice"
Dr. Atsuhiro Muto, glaciologist and polar geophysicist at Temple University
November 2022
