Once again, Vanier College is organizing a week of talks and presentations where experts and researchers in STEM share their groundbreaking work with students! This year's lineup features talks on cutting-edge topics, from optics and photonics to the origins of life chemistry, mathematical paradoxes, and even the connections between birdsong and human speech. The event runs March 17-21, 2025. Most talks take place in STEM D-301. See the full program.
Monday, March 17, 2025
"Illuminating innovations: optics and photonics in the 21st century". Dr. Lawrence Chen from the McGill University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will explore the transformative role of optics in modern technology, highlight critical applications in sensing and biomedicine, and touch on the potential of photonics in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. 8:30AM
"Investigating origins of life chemistry in microscopic atmospheric aerosol droplets", Alexander Logozzo & "Connecting structure and function within the sticky mistletoe viscin tissue", Stephen George, McGill University Students will present their research work. 10:00AM
"Paradoxes in mathematics". In this easy-to-understand and fun presentation, Vanier Computer Science and Mathematics professor Julie Plante will explore famous mathematical paradoxes. 12:00PM
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
"Etuaptmumq aq Ginamasulti: Two-Eyed Seeing in Stem" - Alex Allard-Gray. Through engaging stories and practical examples, Alex Grey will showcase the benefits of weaving together Indigenous knowledge and Western approaches to science, ultimately promoting enriched STEM education. 10:30AM, Amphitheatre B-223
Science Week Annual COFFEEHOUSE - Musical performances by students and faculty, fun time and coffee. 12:00 - 1:30PM
"McGill BioDesign", Sammi Lai, a McGill University student in charge of outreach to CEGEPs, will introduce bioengineering and its applications and expand on the BioDesign team's projects. 1:30PM
Thursday, March 20, 2025
"Parallels in the Biology of Song in Songbirds and Speech in Humans" - Dr. Jon Sakata, of the McGill University Biology Department, will show how song learning in songbirds can help us understand the mechanisms of speech acquisition in humans. 10:00AM
Friday, March 21, 2025
"Exploring a Career in Medical Physics", Laurie Archambault & Anastasia Kolokotronis, medical physicists with the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Est-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal. This talk will explore the exciting career path of a medical physicist in a hospital setting, particularly in the field of radiation therapy. This session will introduce the fundamental principles of radiation-based cancer treatment, and the essential role of medical physicists in healthcare. 1:00PM
