UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State speaker series Research Unplugged launches its spring season on March 17 with six speakers poised to share their expertise with local residents.
In partnership with Schlow Centre Region Library, Research Unplugged talks are held in the library's Downsbrough Community Room on six consecutive Thursdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Limited free parking is available at Schlow Library starting at 11:45 a.m.The events are free and open to all, with complimentary light refreshments available.
Jessica Caron, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, opens the series on March 17, presenting “Breaking Silence New Approaches for Children with Speech Disorders.” Caron will discuss the work of Penn State’s speech researchers and the new therapeutic approaches that are helping these children.
On March 24, Sean Brennan, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will present “Look Ma, No Hands! The Future of Self-Driving Cars.” Brennan, director of Penn State’s Intelligent Vehicles and Systems Group, will explore the advantages of self-driving cars, as well as the barriers that must be overcome before becoming an autopilot society.
On March 31, Eric Burkhart presents “Pharmacy in the Forest: Cultivating and Conserving Native Medicinal Plants.” Burkhart, plant science program director at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, will discuss the rich assortment of plants that grow in Eastern U.S. forests, and will describe the interrelationship between commercial demand and forest conservation.
On April 7 the focus turns to the widespread crisis of heroin addiction. Shannon Monnat, assistant professor of rural sociology, presents “Faces of Addiction: From Prescription Painkillers to Heroin.” Monnat will share her research about the changing face of the American addict, the role of prescription painkillers as gateway drugs and the pros and cons of legal and medical interventions.
S. Shyam Sundar, distinguished professor of communications, and graduate student Eun Hwa Jung, will co-present on April 14. Their talk, titled “Assisted Aging: How Smart Technology Will Change How We Grow Old” will discuss the ways in which smart devices and personal robotics will assist us as the U.S. population ages.
The season will end on a musical note on April 21 as James Lyon presents “Inside the Maestro’s Studio: Instructing and Performing Master Works of Violin.” Lyon, an acclaimed violinist and music professor, will co-present with some of his students to demonstrate how a master teacher helps his students hone their violin performance techniques, and will perform selected works.