iCeMS Learning Lounge #7: Kouichi Hasegawa + Daniel Packwood, 2016

Making Malaria The Last Century’s Problem Dr. Kouichi Hasegawa

Course Description
Why Our Science Matters
The “Learning Lounge” features young scientists who, in 20 minutes deliver a presentation that will persuade any curious listener, even those without a scientific background, why their research area — not just the personal research of the speaker — is important to the world.

 

Dr. Kouichi Hasegawa
“Making Malaria The Last Century’s Problem”
Do you know malaria? Malaria is a big global health issue and has huge economic and social impacts. Many people are suffering malaria in the world. If you are in Japan or western countries, you may think malaria is somebody else’s problem. However, things are not so easy. Malaria is our problem too. We are working hard on overcoming this, and making malaria the last century’s problem!

-Researcher’s comment
I introduce our study on a malaria model system with iPS cells conducted under the international collaboration between Japan’s iCeMS and India’s NCBS/inStem. Nowadays, when people can easily travel around the world, there is enough risk to acquire malaria even in Japan—and Canada where many students in this talk’s audience are from. I would like people to know the importance of our world-wide research to combat malaria.

 

Dr. Daniel Packwood
“Nanotechnology by Herding Molecules – Hints from Theory”
Society is demanding smaller and smaller electrical devices. Nanotechnology is an entirely new approach to device manufacturing, in which extremely small objects are created by assembling molecules into patterns and shapes. But can nanotechnology truly be realized? This talk will explain the key role that theoretical science is playing in the development of nanotechnology.

-Researcher’s comment
Viewers beware! You’re in for a scare! Here, we touch on the spooky topic of molecular self-assembly, in which molecules inexplicably gather together to form tiny devices and machines. Might this be the work of a poltergeist? Here, I burst your bubble and explain how molecular self-assembly can be simulated on a computer via judicious mathematics and theoretical chemistry. References to Canada and farm animals are included.

PAGE TOP