Events

April 29, 2025

Seminar "Reconstructing the Shape of Life Using Novel 3D Technologies: From Lizards to Whales"

12:45-1:50pm- O'Brien 117

New approaches using novel 3D hardware and software now allow biologists to visualize animal body shapes in a way that was previously not thought possible. In this talk, I will explore how these new approaches allow us to explore the evolution of size in the oceans and on land, and to determine if there are certain basic scaling rules that allow us to understand why and how animals have grown so large. Further, this talk will explore how 3D models of living animals are becoming increasingly powerful tools in studies of animal body condition, as well as in bioinspired robotics. New techniques in machine learning are accelerating these trends and can provide powerful new conservation tools for scientists trying to unlock the mysteries of animal health in relation to climate change.

Workshop: "3D Digital Photogrammetry: A Practical Approach Towards Scanning"

5-6pm in ISEC 222

This one- hour workshop provides a basic overview of the 3D photogrammetry scanning process, with an emphasis on the history, potential applications and practical aspects of this technique at multiple scales, and for multiple industries and applications. Various camera and video gear will also be brought to demonstrate basic techniques, and links to key papers, practical tools, software, and other items will be provided for students. A Q and A discussion around scanning of various objects will also be provided. This workshop is ideal for biologists, engineers, and for art students, as this method is becoming widely used in all three areas. The software (blender) is emerging as a powerful force within the 3D industry and academia. No registration is necessary. All are welcome to attend!

D. Fox Harrell, Ph.D. is coming to Union College to deliver his lecture "Imagination and Virtuality: Computing for Social Good" on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Reamer Campus Center Auditorium. This event is made possible through the partnership of Union College's Templeton Institute and Schaffer Library.

Dr Harrell is Professor of Digital Media, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence at MIT in the Comparative Media Studies Program, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), and Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He is the founder and director of the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality. His research explores the relationship between imagination and computation and involves inventing new forms of VR, computational narrative, videogaming for social impact, and related digital media forms. He is a Nebula Award finalist, Emmy Award winner, and recipient of an NSF CAREER Award.

Join us at The Charles Proteus Steinmetz Symposium on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:30 AM in the F. W. Olin Center Auditorium for an exciting panel discussion, "The Powers of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research," moderated by MIT's esteemed Dr. D. Fox Harrell.

Dr. Harrell is Professor of Digital Media, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence at MIT in the Comparative Media Studies Program, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), and Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He is the founder and director of the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality. He is a Nebula Award finalist, Emmy Award winner, and recipient of an NSF CAREER Award.

Dr. Harrell will chair and moderate this special session, featuring three Union Students: Gabriella Baratier, Ziayan Omer, and Emmett Parkerson. Each student will present a (ten-minute) lightning talk about their research followed by a Q&A discussion.