Methods for protecting precious antiquities from earthquakes, and the latest developments in solar energy are just two of the topics of the Santa Monica College Fall 2014 Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series.
Now in its 14th year, the series begins Tuesday, Sept. 23.
All talks – designed for lay audiences – are free and are held at 11:15 a.m. in Science Lecture Hall 140 on the main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd.
The Fall 2014 lectures are:
• Sept. 23: “An Organic Chemistry Perspective for the Design, Synthesis, and Testing of Artificial Molecular Machines,” by Miguel Garcia-Garibay, Professor and current Chair of the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, and a member of the National Research Council’s Chemical Science Roundtable. He will talk about his research on reactions in highly organized crystalline media.
• Oct. 23: “No One’s Fault, but Everyone’s Problem: Protecting Cultural Heritage from Earthquake Damage,” by Jerry Podany, Senior Conservator of Antiquities for the J. Paul Getty Museum and the former President of the International Institute for Conservation and former President of the American Institute for Conservation. He will discuss how the museum protects its collections from earthquake damage.
• Nov. 13: “Solar Energy and You: Pieces of the Solution,” by Gerald Bernstein, Director of the San Francisco Bay region’s Advanced Transportation and Renewable Energy program in the California Community College system, co-founder of the Stanford Transportation Group, and former Director at SRI International. He will outline solar industry developments from homeowner and societal perspectives.
The lecture series is sponsored by the SMC Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Sciences departments, and the SMC Associates (www.smc.edu/associates), a private organization that funds speakers and special events on campus. Seating is on a first-arrival basis. For information, call 310.434.4003.
