For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Karthik Nagapudi, Ph.D. Executive Director and Distinguished Scientist, Head of Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, CA Karthik Nagapudi got his PhD degree in polymer science from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1999 under the supervision of Dr. Haskell Beckham. He did his postdoctoral work in the lab of Dr. Elliot Chaikof in Emory University. After his postdoctoral work, he joined Merck Research Labs in the physical measurements group in January of 2003. In 2006 he moved to the preformulation group in Amgen Inc. In 2011 he became the head of the solid-state group in Amgen. In July of 2014, he moved to Genentech as a senior scientist in the Small Molecule Pharmaceutics group. He was promoted to Distinguished Scientist in 2018 and to Executive Director in 2023. He is currently the department head for the synthetic molecule pharmaceutics group in Genentech. His primary research interests are in the areas of Drug delivery technologies, Biopharmaceutics, Mechanochemistry, application of advanced solid-state NMR methods in pharmaceutical analysis, and understanding thermodynamics of phase behavior in pharmaceuticals. He has published over 110 papers and has 10 patents to his name.

Host: Haiying TaoLocation: YNG 132Webex:s.uconn.edu/psla_seminars (http://s.uconn.edu/psla_seminars) As part of our seminar series, The Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Graduate Student Association have coordinated the following lightning talks for graduate students to introduce their research to the department: Matthew AntunesAdvisor: Dr. John InguagiatoTitle: Yellow Ring Patch: A new cool-season disease affecting green turf My master's thesis focuses on identifying the causal agent and management strategies of a newly emerging green turf disease affecting cool-season climates. Isolations, DNA extractions and sequencing through PCR protocols were used to determine genetic similarities between known species and our organism. Four field studies have been initiated to determine chemical and cultural controls.   Zahra SalehiAdvisor: Drs Jill Desimini and Julia SmachyloTitle: Agrivoltaics in Connecticut: Land Suitability and Community Perspectives This talk presents my research on agrivoltaics, integrating solar energy with agriculture. Using GIS-based analysis, I assess the suitability of vacant and underutilized parcels across Connecticut, while interviews with local stakeholders highlight social perspectives. By combining spatial and qualitative insights, the project explores opportunities and challenges for advancing multifunctional, sustainable landscapes within broader energy transitions and their relevance to design practice.   Nora DoonanAdvisor: Dr. Haiying TaoTitle: Suboptimal Planting Date and Seeding Rate of Cereal Rye Cover Crop in Connecticut Planting cover crops on optimum planting dates in Northeastern states is challenging due to short growing seasons. This research studies suboptimum planting date and seeding rate effects on cereal rye's growth and evaluates if late planting dates can be offset by higher seeding rates.   Yiling ZhengAdvisor: Haiying TaoTitle: Cabbage Yield Response to Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization Fertilizer accounts for one-third of the total production costs in crop farming. Proper fertilizer management is essential for optimizing crop yield and quality, protecting the environment, and improving farm income. However, there are no fertility management recommendations for phosphorus and potassium for cabbage in Connecticut. Two-year research is conducted to study cabbage yield and tissue nutrient concentration responses to phosphorus and potassium application rate.   Jacob LetmanskiAdvisor: Mark BrandTitle: Generation of polyploid Baptisia Polyploid plants have many ornamental qualities such as shorter stature, larger flowers, larger foliage, and sometimes reduced fertility. Baptisia is a native herbaceous perennial that is gaining in popularity. The generation of polyploid Baptisia could lead to the production of new cultivars that are more attractive in the planted landscape.

Katherine FleckErceg Lab (https://erceg.lab.uconn.edu/)

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Graciela Quinones-Rodriguez, LCSW (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/graciela-quinones-rodriguez/)

Dare your favorite Executive Condor on Friday!

Not a student? To find locations near you to receive your flu shot, please use the Vaccine Finder (https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/).  More info here.  (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/flu/)

Families with Addiction This group is for students who are or have been deeply affected by having parent(s) or sibling(s) struggling with addictions. May also consider situations where the family member's primary issue is a severe psychiatric disorder, but that substance use is also present. To join this group therapy session, please call SHaW at 860-486-4700 (tel:+18604864705) This session is held by Sarah Hallwood, LCSW, LICSW (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/sarah-hallwood/) For many concerns that students face – like overwhelming stress, anxiety, difficult relationships, depression, academic difficulties, and more – group therapy is the best option for support and healing. Facilitated by Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) counselors, our therapy groups encourage peer support, promote emotional wellbeing, and increase a felt sense of connection. Participants often find that they feel less alone in their struggles, and walk away with newfound support and ideas for coping.

The small group format creates a supportive environment where you can create a habit of using the skills on a regular basis. Students who complete the class report feeling less stressed, more mindful, experience less self-judgment and sleep better! Pre-registration is required as space is limited. s.uconn.edu/mindful925 Class meets online 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 and 10/10.

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Sijia (Michelle) Chen, LPC (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/sarah-hallwood/)

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Unbreakable: Rising from within: Women's Trauma Group Unbreakable: Rising from Within is a therapy group for women who have experienced traumatic events or relationships who are ready to take back their lives. Traumatic experiences or relationships often lead us to develop unhealthy coping strategies such as, social isolation/anxiety, quickly jumping into unhealthy relationships, difficulty with trusting and enforcing our boundaries when we need them most or increased alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use. Unbreakable: Rising from Within provides a supportive and confidential environment for students to begin the healing process by learning about common reactions to trauma and ways to recognize and overcome these potentially debilitating triggers. We will work to remind ourselves of the importance of boundaries, increase self-confidence and learn and practice healthier coping strategies to promote overall health and wellbeing.To join this group therapy session, please call SHaW at 860-486-4700 (tel:+18604864705) This session is held by Cassaundra Popek, LMFT (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/cassaundra-popek-lmft/) For many concerns that students face – like overwhelming stress, anxiety, difficult relationships, depression, academic difficulties, and more – group therapy is the best option for support and healing. Facilitated by Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) counselors, our therapy groups encourage peer support, promote emotional wellbeing, and increase a felt sense of connection. Participants often find that they feel less alone in their struggles, and walk away with newfound support and ideas for coping.

Teaching Under Precarity: Discussion of the UConn Humanities Institute AI Workshop and ESS Mini Conference on Teaching For this workshop, we encourage participants to attend (in-person or remotely) the October 9 UConn Humanities Institute symposium on AI: https://events.uconn.edu/humanities-institute/event/1169883-what-do-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-ai (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fevents.uconn.edu%2Fhumanities-institute%2Fevent%2F1169883-what-do-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-ai&data=05%7C02%7Ckatherine.covey%40uconn.edu%7C1651f834c2734e11eea408dde02545e7%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638913172872236081%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rD5mTh9x5hwjTypW91ltQPXX1hcFF5APqiWGCx9iFsM%3D&reserved=0)

Prof. Moshe Gai, University of ConnecticutCold Fusion, the Most Significant Scientific Blunder Ever Since Aristo On March 29, 1989, Pons and Fleischmann, of the University of Utah, announced in a widely celebrated press conference the discovery of an unlimited cheap source of energy produced by room temperature (cold) fusion of deuterium nuclei contained in palladium electrodes of an electrolysis cell. The announced discovery summarily received confirmation in major American Universities and worldwide, not the least of which was Georgia Tech. Nobel Laureate Julian Schwinger announced a theory in support of the finding. Norman Ramsey Jr, Schwinger's colleague at Harvard, then soon to be a Nobel Laureate himself, threatened to resign from the DOE Energy Review Advisory Board (ERAB) unless a supportive language was included. John M. Deutsch, MIT Provost, later CIA Director, contemplated an MIT patent application. The world was a buzz, cheap unlimited source of energy was here to stay. During this worldwide frenzy I worked with a few students on assembling the most sensitive neutron detector. We refuted the claimed discovery by a factor million. D. Allan Bromley, my lab director at Yale, was appointed at the same time the President Science Advisor. He communicated our negative result directly to the White House and Congress that contemplated awarding a $25M grant to Pons and Fleishmann. I will discuss our measurement, the first published, no less it was the cover story of Nature, still today the strongest refutation of the claimed discovery. I will include some stories, today perhaps amusing, but not then when I faced an angry society that accused me personally for killing the dream. Refreshments served after the colloquium

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).