EVENTS
16th December – The behaviour, biology, ecology, and conservation of Pelagic thresher sharks in the Philippines – Dr. Simon Oliver
Pelagic sharks are poorly understood because of limitations inherent in studying them in situ. Knowledge that pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus) regularly visit specific locations in the Philippines presented an unique opportunity to study new aspects of their behaviour and biology, and promote their conservation in the region. Post-mortem examinations were conducted on 11 dead Read more about 16th December – The behaviour, biology, ecology, and conservation of Pelagic thresher sharks in the Philippines – Dr. Simon Oliver[…]
18th November – Now You’re Talking – Prof. Trevor Cox
Talking and singing comes naturally to most of us so it is easy to overlook how truly remarkable the voice is. Mixing biology, physics and psychology, Trevor will explore the workings of the voice looking at accents and different singing styles. The human voice has always been in flux, but over the last hundred years Read more about 18th November – Now You’re Talking – Prof. Trevor Cox[…]
21st October – The Changing Arctic And It’s Global Consequences – Prof. Terry Callaghan
The Arctic is changing very quickly because of climate change and globalisation. Increasingly, the two aspects are linked and changes in the Arctic’s environment are accelerating. Climate warming in the Arctic is twice as fast as the global average rate and its consequences are having profound impacts on the frozen parts of the Arctic, its Read more about 21st October – The Changing Arctic And It’s Global Consequences – Prof. Terry Callaghan[…]
16th September – Discovering New Ways to Tackle Dementia – Prof. David Brough
Our immune system protects us against infection and promotes repair. However, during disease our immune system can also turn against us and make disease worse. This is true in Alzheimer’s disease. My lab at the University of Manchester aims to understand damaging immune responses and how we can block them during disease. Ultimately the research Read more about 16th September – Discovering New Ways to Tackle Dementia – Prof. David Brough[…]
15th July – Building Brains – Prof. Steven Furber
Understanding the brain remains as one of the great frontiers of science – how does this organ upon which we all so critically depend perform its function as an information processing system? The SpiNNaker (Spiking Neural Network Architecture) platform has been developed to support real-time modelling of large-scale brain subsystems with the objective of accelerating Read more about 15th July – Building Brains – Prof. Steven Furber[…]
17th June – Our Changing Rivers and the Menace of Microplastics – Professor Jamie Woodward
Professor Jamie Woodward, Professor of Physical Geography and Head of the Department of Geography at The University of Manchester, will tell us about research in the Department of Geography at the University of Manchester which has shone a light on a new contamination issue in UK rivers. Microplastics are present in all the rivers of Read more about 17th June – Our Changing Rivers and the Menace of Microplastics – Professor Jamie Woodward[…]
20th May – Mass Spectrometry: History and Applications – Dr Mike Morris
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that has a long history in Manchester. This talk will discuss some of the background of the technique and how it evolved into a commercial business in the North West. Some applications of the technology that potentially affect our daily lives will also be discussed. Dr Morris received his Read more about 20th May – Mass Spectrometry: History and Applications – Dr Mike Morris[…]
15th April – Plastic Fantastic: Production of artificial antibodies to reduce the use of animals in research – Dr Marloes Peeters
It is estimated that on an annual basis, over 100 million animals are used in research across the world. A significant amount of these animal experiments involve the generation of antibodies, which are used in sensors for medical applications, in the food industry, for environmental monitoring, etc. In this talk, Dr Marloes Peeters from Newcastle Read more about 15th April – Plastic Fantastic: Production of artificial antibodies to reduce the use of animals in research – Dr Marloes Peeters[…]
18th March 2019 – Production of Heat and Electricity from Biomass Fuels – Mubashra Latif
Mubashra Latif is studying for her PhD at the University of Chester within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, where she is investigating alternative feedstocks to turn into energy. We’re delighted to welcome her to our Didsbury Scibar event to present on this topic. Synopsis: 1) History of Electricity Production. 2) Technologies for Electricity Read more about 18th March 2019 – Production of Heat and Electricity from Biomass Fuels – Mubashra Latif[…]
18th February 2019 – Lab Coats in Hollywood: Scientists’ Impact on Cinema, Cinema’s Influence on Science – David A. Kirby
We are now in a golden age for science in popular culture. Academy Award nominated films such as The Martian and Arrival, and television ratings titans like The Big Bang Theory have proven that science–based popular cultural products can be both critically acclaimed and financially successful. But the scientific community has long standing concerns about Read more about 18th February 2019 – Lab Coats in Hollywood: Scientists’ Impact on Cinema, Cinema’s Influence on Science – David A. Kirby[…]