Memoir Group

Thursday mornings, September 4th to December 11th, from 10:15 to 11:45

Write your memoirs to share in class. These can be short unrelated pieces or part of a larger work. New members are welcome.

Facilitator: Cathy Belanger

November

The Science of Music’s Healing Power

Wednesday, November 5th, 1:15 to 2:45

The speaker will describe a non-invasive digital therapeutic, SynchronGamma (SynG) that works by synchronizing specialized light pulses with familiar music to rhythmically stimulate the brain. Preliminary results of his Phase 1 clinical trial show that the therapy improves memory and preserves cognition in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease.

Edward Large, Department of Psychological Sciences, UConn

Oral History of Research Done in Brazil

Wednesday, November 12th, 1:15 to 2:45

The presentation involves interviews with survivors of a failed state program to provide assistance to drought refugees in Northeast Brazil in 1932. This program included mandatory relocation of residents in certain areas to state sponsored concentration camps. Although local memories about the camps vary, narratives spoke about inhumane conditions and high mortality, fomenting the perception that the government’s goal was to eliminate certain residents. Past events are tied to current social justice issues.

Mary Kenny, Anthropology Department, ECSU

From Seed to Tree to Fruit: A Daughter’s Memoir of Grief and Healing

Thursday, November 13th, 1:15 to 2:45

For the Williams sisters, transplanted Northerners living in the segregated South of the 1950’s, childhood was cut short when their father, a researcher at Oak Ridge and a beloved biology professor and mentor of the young E.O. Wilson, experienced a psychotic break and had to be institutionalized. He died three months later. Author Rebecca Williams Mlynarczyk and her sister, Carol Williams, share excerpts from this powerful new memoir and reflect on how researching and writing this book led to transformation and healing for both of them.

Rebecca Mlynarczyk, Emerita of English, City University of New York | Carol Williams, Associate Dean Emerita, ECSU

Quantum Computing and Communication

Wednesday, November 19th, 1;15 TO 2:45

Unlike today’s “classical” computers that use electrical signals to represent ones or zeroes, quantum computers employ subatomic particles called qubits. When managed properly, qubits can represent combinations of both ones and zeroes simultaneously in the mysterious world of quantum mechanics. “In some cases, computers with these quantum abilities can solve large-scale problems much faster than their classical counterparts can. Examples include simulating the behavior of matter, analyzing compounds to create new drugs, optimizing factory floors or global supply chains, and identifying fraud ad risk patterns in financial transactions” (MIT website), and cracking the most secure passwords such as those currently used for international bank transactions, even though classical computers operate faster (thus better at solving “smaller” problems). Our discussion will cut through the hype.

Walter Krawec, Computing Department, UConn

Introduction to Cardiology and the Cardiovascular System

Thursday, November 20th, 1:15 to 2:45

The speaker will briefly introduce the cardiovascular system, and give an overview of the different types of cardiovascular diseases and how we manage them.

Maxwell Eder, Calhoun Cardiology Center, UConn Health

December

Might Those Amazing Chatbots Really Have Minds?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 1:15 to 2:45

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence, particularly in the form of chatbots like ChatGPT, are impressive. This has led some to suggest that machines can at least think, or will likely do so in the near future. In this talk, the speaker will first review some of the more significant achievements in Artificial Intelligence, and consider whether that should convince us that these machines exhibit mentality. Answering this question will inspire us to reflect on what it is to have a mind, and to ponder the forms that mentality does take or could take in different creatures and even artifacts.

Mitchell Green, Department of Philosophy, UConn

Memoir Group’s Sharing of Memoirs with CLIR Members

Thursday, December 4th, 1:15 to 2:45

Members of the CLIR Memoir Group share some of their work.

Facilitator: Cathy Belanger

Evidence Based Treatments for Youth Mental Health and Research from Outpatient Clinics in Connecticut

Wednesday, December 10th, 1:15 to 2:45

This presentation will provide an overview of mental health disorders common in young people and explain why certain psychotherapeutic approaches are scientifically supported for treating these disorders. Results for research on the use of these approaches/practices in outpatient clinics in Connecticut will be shared, as well as treatment factors related to youth symptom improvement.

Phyllis Lee, Department of Psychological Science, ECSU

Heat Stroke in Youth, Targeted Risk Profiles and Policy Solutions

Thursday, December 11th, 1:15 to 2:45

The speaker will talk broadly about heat stroke, what we know about who is most at risk, various current best practices for preventing and treating it, and policies that have been shown to be effective and where they may or may not be required.

Rebecca Stearns, Stringer Korey Institute, UConn

January

 As the Mojave Gets Hotter, Will the Joshua Trees Adapt? 

Joshua trees are iconic plants of the Mojave, but are imperiled by global warming and land use change.  This talk will discuss some of the threats they face, some new research shedding light on how Joshua trees may respond to these threats, and implications for their future survival. 

Karolina Heyduk, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, UConn 

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 A Samurai Killer’s Mental State Analyzed 

On Memorial Day weekend in 2020 a UConn student with a Samurai sword in his backpack began a killing spree that would continue for six days, taking him across the state.  Two die, many others are injured, both physically and emotionally.  A psychologist examines this case to understand what happened, could it have been prevented, and she provides a discussion with the assailant. 

Cynthia Adams, Professor Emerita, UConn 

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From Isotopes to Mountain Slopes:  Building Mountains Amid Rising Seas in Patagonia 

Plate tectonics and mountain building shape the Earth’s surface in complex ways, controlling the distribution of continents, climate patterns, and marine seaways through time.  In this presentation, the speaker will share her new isotope geochronology research from Patagonia, the southernmost region of South America, which elucidates the amazing story of mountain building, climate, and long-term changes in global sea level along the coastal margin. 

Julie C. Fosdick, Department of Earth Sciences, UConn 

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 Jane Austen and How to Grow One’s Genius 

January 15th, 1:15 to 2:45 

This presentation highlights aspects of Austen”s life that contributed to her greatness. 

From her family, home life, rich history of reading, and the exciting ideas of her times, 

Austen took it all in while mastering an emerging art form.  Come explore her life and what can be drawn from it that can also be useful for guiding our own. 

Maureen Crowley, Jane Austen Society member  

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Stories from the African Oral Tradition 

Dr. Mama will blend storytelling with riddles, poetry, music, and dance.  He uses  native   morality tales from African countries to entertain and provoke emotion.  His repertoire includes recitations in English, French, Yoruba, and includes tales from Benin,  his native country.  He has received international attention and awards. 

Raouf Mama, Distinguished English Professor at ECSU and a CSU professor at ECSU 

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Has Partisan Animosity Increased? 

Why do Democrats and Republicans protest more than other, nonpartisan Americans?  A series of survey-based studies shows that the reason is less about loyalty to one’s own party and more about the anger at “the other side.” In fact, in recent years, partisan animosity predicts protest participation almost as much as concern about the issues themselves.  These findings highlight how partisan hostility can fuel collective action in the United States. 

Seth Warner, Political Science Department, UConn 

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February

Detection and Prediction of Diseases Using Biomedical Signals 

February 4th, 1:15 to 2:45

This presentation will showcase recent advances in biomedical signal processing for the objective detection of pain, stress, emotions, neurological disorders and disease prediction.  It highlights wearable systems, electroretinography and deep learning models for real-time, non-invasive monitoring in both humans and animals, with applications in health care, neurodiversity, and animal welfare. 

Hugo Posada-Quintero, Biomedical Engineering, UConn 

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What is Their Story and Who Uses It? 

Their Story is an oral history recording and project management platform created during the pandemic. The platform has grown and is supported by a nationwide network of universities and historical organizations from UConn to UCLA. Users can record, transcribe, index, curate, and share their oral histories.  Current projects include  stories from Bloomfield’s African-America, West Indian, and Jewish communities and the Caribbean Heritage Museum. 

Fiona Vernal, History Department, UConn 

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 The Benton Museum Discusses it’s Semiquincentennial Art 

This talk and the related exhibition draw on the Museum’s holdings of American art to discuss how the word “American” can be defined as an identity, a place, and an idea.  

Amanda Douberley, Curator and Academic Liaison, William Benton Museum of Art, UConn 

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How our Joints Reveal Injury and Aging 

Our joints are alive, constantly renewing, adapting, and responding how we move.  This talk will be a fascinating exploration into the world of cartilage biomarkers and biomechanics.  Discover how these biologicals signals can indicate tissue injury, healing, and the early stages of osteoarthritis, and what this means for maintaining joint health from youth through aging. 

Julie Burland, Department of Kinesiology, UConn 

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 When Philanthropy Becomes Dark Money 

Recently, we have seen the increased flow of money to nonprofits used as a way to hide and reduce the transparency of public services.  This has become particularly worrisome with the rise of police finance organizations, created to support police departments while skirting public budgets, accountability, and transparency laws. 

Simon Shachter, Sociology Department, UConn 

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 The Arctic Is Warming Up to Four Times Faster Than the Global Average 

By using satellite-based monitoring of Arctic permafrost landscapes and communities increased vulnerabilities such as accelerated terrestrial and coastal erosion are shown. 

Significant threats to infrastructure and the destabilization of its vast carbon soil reservoir are shown. The speaker will discuss how satellite imagery and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to deepen our understanding of climate change, and the repercussions on Arctic permafrost landscapes and Arctic communities. 

Witharana Chandi, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, UConn 

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 Muscle as Medicine:  The Role of Strength Training in Healthy Aging 

February 25th, 1:15 to 2:45 

Research continues to show that maintaining muscle through resistance training is one of the most powerful tools for preventing chronic disease and promoting healthy aging.   

This presentation will highlight how strength training supports heart health, bone density, metabolism, mobility, cognitive function, and longevity.  Participants will learn safe, practical ways to incorporate strength exercises into their weekly routine safely and effectively. 

Allison Mackenzie, Department of Kinesiology, UConn 

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