GES Center Lectures, NC State University

Exploring Synergies: Overlapping International Dialogue on Invasive Alien Species Removal on Islands with Synthetic Biology Carolina Torres Trueba, Lawyer at Island Conservation Profile  |  Website Synthetic biology offers new hope for the eradication of invasive alien species from islands, a pressing need in the face of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. <h5> Download seminar poster...

PreMiEr ERC Societal, Ethical and Policy Implications of Microbiome Engineering Jennifer Kuzma, PhD , Co-Director of GES Center, & Associate Director of PreMiEr at NC State |  Profile page Download seminar poster  Abstract The engineering of microbiomes in the built environment is a new area of inquiry that comes with many uncertainties and under-explored societal implications. This talk will...

Labeling Food Risk and Lifestyle Politics: A Critical History Xaq Frohlich, PhD , Associate Professor of History at Auburn University A history of U.S. food labeling policies and “informational turn” in food politics, and a critical look at debates in recent decades over labeling GMOs, “organic”, and other food risks and alternative food movements. <h5> Download seminar poster  </h5> A...

CRISPR/Cas-9-Based Gene Drive To Suppress Agricultural Pests Amarish Yadav, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow ( Max Scott Lab ) at NC State | Profile | Google Scholar A discussion about the molecular genetics of homing gene drives disrupting doublesex gene, as well as its potential and challenges in the D. suzukii population control. <h5> Download seminar poster </h5> Abstract The CRISPR/Cas9-b...

Does High School Genetics Education Communicate an Essentialist Construal of Gender? Brian Donovan, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, BSCS Science Learning Profile  |  Website  |  Related GGA Seminar Evidence suggests that high school biology textbooks in the US may reinforce an essentialist construal of gender. <h5> Download seminar poster  </h5> Special two-day engagement with the Gene...

BioNFTs: Verifiable Biosamples & BioData for training Ethical AI Models in Life Sciences Daniel Uribe, MBA , Co-Founder & CEO at  GenoBank.io  |  @duribeb Discover how BioNFTs are revolutionizing the Life Sciences by providing verifiable biosamples and biodata for training ethical AI models <h5> Download seminar poster  </h5> Abstract In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, th...

Exploring Policy and Regulation of Emerging Biotechnologies For Use In Controlling Pest Populations Amanda Pierce , Senior Advisor at US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Abstract The U.S. Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology describes the comprehensive federal regulatory policy for ensuring the safety of biotechnology products with the goal of protecting health and the en...

Should we expect Moore in Genetic Engineering? Moore’s Law, Genetic Engineering and Historical Analogies Ross Bassett, Professor of History at NC State Abstract In 1965 Gordon Moore published a paper with observations on progress in integrated circuits. In the nearly sixty years since, the continued applicability of those observations, now enshrined as Moore’s law, has been the driving force behin...

Understanding the Dynamics of Post-Hurricane Shoreline Protection Decisions Dr. Kiera O'Donnell, Postdoctoral Associate, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University Googe Scholar | Twitter @ODonnellKiera93 Insights into the complex factors that shape people's perceptions of their environment and their decisions around shoreline protection. Abstract Coastal communities around t...

Don’t Dumb it Down, and Other Science Writing Tips and Tricks Bethany Brookshire, PhD, Science Journalist Website  | Twitter  @Beebrookshire Abstract Bethany Brookshire, science journalist and author of  Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains , made the transition from scientist to science writer. Along the way, she learned how many assumptions non-scientists make about scientific writing…and ho...

Benefit-cost analysis and alternatives for evaluating biotechnology policy Zachary S. Brown, Associate Professor of Agricultural & Resource Economics, NC State Website | Twitter @TheKazath A look at the limits of benefit-cost analysis (BCA) in biotechnology governance and discussion of its social utility compared to alternatives. Abstract Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is a ubiquitous method for...

<h4>Genes & Society: Decolonizing Human Genetic Research Workshop Series</h4> The Genomic Fire Next Time: Reflections on charting your scientific path Dr. Latifa Jackson, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Howard University Website | Twitter @latifajackson Multi-omic data has been used to create narratives about who we are as humans—are they correct or do they tell a very on...

Dominique Brossard, PhD, Professor and Chair in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Website  | Twitter  @brossardd In an age of rapid advancements in genetic research and technology, it’s more important than ever to understand the impact of communication on how we perceive, understand, and engage with publics about genetic information. Related links...

GE Foods Regulation - The U.S. Way Fernanda Santos, PhD, Teaching Assistant Professor, Food Science, NC State University Website | Twitter @fbnsncstate Abstract "The definition of food law used to be a simple one – it encompassed food regulatory law with two main audiences: lawyers and the regulated food industries. Today, however, food law is often broadened in meaning to include all law rel...

Panel: The Challenges, Successes, and Sustainability of NSF National Research Traineeships (NRTs) on Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS) Panelists: Karletta Chief, PhD,  Director, Indigenous Resilience Center; Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona Amy R. Sapkota, PhD,  Professor, School of Public Health, Maryland Institute for Applied E...

Food sciences, technology, and globally sustainable food systems Dr. Jonathan Allen and Rebekah Brown, Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, NC State University Website  | Twitter  @fbnsncstate Where the food science and nutrition communities have come and may be going in defining sustainable food systems with examples from research in the NC State Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Department...

Nonhuman Animals Containing Human Cells: Ethics and Oversight Karen Maschke, PhD, Research Scholar at The Hastings Center Website  | Twitter  @hastingscenter This presentation focuses on ethical and oversight issues as they relate to the insertion of human cells into nonhuman animals, e.g., “chimeric research.” Abstract Research involving the insertion of human cells into nonhuman animals at vario...

4S 2022 Cholula: Reunion, recuperation, reconfiguration. Knowledge and technosciences for living together Sebastián Zarate and Jill Furgurson, AgBioFEWS PhD Fellows, NC State University The 2022 Annual 4S conference brought together researchers and practitioners to explore science, technology and innovation across different cultural, economic and social settings. Abstract The 4S Meeting is an annu...

Has the UN Biodiversity Convention been a force for ‘good’ or ‘evil’ in how biotech crops are regulated globally? AgBioFEWS Panelists: Asa Budnick, Nick Loschin, Joseph Opoku and Modesta Abugu AgBioFEWS Fellows Asa Budnick, Nick Loschin, Joseph Opoku Gakpo and Modesta Abugu will share their observations on and interrogate practices at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada that...

This is a bonus episode featuring a special guest hosted by the NC State Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and GBIRd – Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents programs. Note, the audio is a little rough due to the way it was recorded. The video is also available here , as well as the PDF of the presentation slides . Dr. Tanja Strive, Senior Principal Research Scientist at Commonwealth Scientif...

Edible South -The Cultural Politics of Food and Cuisine AgBioFEWS Cohort 3  Organized Guest Panel with: ›   Marcie Cohen Ferris,  PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Study of the American South at UNC-Chapel Hill ›   Michaela DeSoucey,  PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology at NC State Abstracts Marcie Cohen Ferris’ work examines how evolving food cultures in North Carolina and the larger Americ...

Out of the lab and onto the screen: how cinematic narratives construct the public image of science & technology AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 Organized Guest Panel with: › Leah Ceccarelli, PhD, Professor at University of Washington › David Kirby, PhD, Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Cal Poly University - San Luis Obispo Drawing on perspectives from rhetorical criticism and media studies, D...

What is “Denialism”? Jean Goodwin, JD, PhD, SAS Institute Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric & Technical Communication, NC State Website  | Twitter:  @jeangoodwin  and  @PublicSci_NCSU What drives polarization on contested issues like GMOs? We’ll discuss one potentially surprising factor. Abstract Public debates have been trending increasingly bitter and polarized since the 1990s, increasingl...

Discussion Session: The Biotechnology Executive Order Discussion facilitated by AgBioFEWS Fellows  Jabeen Ahmad  and  Nick Loschin This Colloquium is dedicated to reviewing the recent Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation released on September 12, 2022. Abstract This Colloquium begins with a brief overview of the Executive Order by Nick Loschin and then a discu...

Diversification as Landscape Change: Understanding Cropping Trajectories in Eastern North Carolina Andrea Rissing, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University Website  | Twitter  @FoodSystemsASU Preliminary findings from mixed-methods research that investigated why one county in Eastern North Carolina is trending strongly towards diversified cropping systems while...