Spring 2025 Seminar Schedule
January
16 Medical Innovations that Solve Global Problems
Sonia Soso Saenz, Interim Asc. Dir. Global Health Fellows Program, Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technology
Rice University | Houston, TX
(video)
23 Physics, Faith, and MIracles in Graduate School
Steve Ball, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
30 PFAS, the "forever chemicals"
Bill Peery
SPL Lab | Kilgore, TX
(video)
February
6 What are the Digital Humanities? - Writing and curation in a Digital Age
Aaron Brown, Writing Center Director
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
(video)
13 Summer Research Experiences and how to have yours
Sean Magallan and Hannah Newall, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
20 Dystopias of ease: Science Fiction and the Search for Effortlessness
Randall Compton, Department of English
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
Background stories to be read prior to the seminar
Pay for the Printer and The Feeling of Power
(video)
March
6 Use of Physiology to Address Environmental and Conservation Related Questions
Ryan Shartau, Department of Biology
University of Texas - Tyler | Tyler, TX
(video)
20 Hungry, Humble, and Smart
Luis Aguilar, CEO
Houston Area Safety Council | Houston, TX
(video)
27 A Comparative Study of Timing-Based CAN Intrustion Detection System
Deborah Blevins, Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
(video)
April
3 UNC-45B chaperone controls myosin gene expression by modulating its transcription factor, GATA-4
Odunuga Odutayo, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Stephen F. Austin University | Nacogdoches, TX
(video)
10 From Supersonic to Space: Optimization of Amateur Rockets for Ultra-High Altitude Flight
LeTourneau University Space Program (LetSpace)
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
17 From Plants to Microbes: Next Generation Biosynthetic Pathways for Anticancer Alkaloids
Vonny Salim, Department of Biological Sciences
Louisiana State University - Shreveport | Shreveport, LA
(video)
24 The Pivotal Role of Communicating Science in the Christian Polytechnic University
Scott Dyer
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
(video)
May
1 How Mint Innovation's world-first e-waste biotechnology transforms waste into value
Chris York, Vice President of Business Development
Mint Bio | Wellington, Auckland
(video)
LeTourneau University's science seminars are hosted by the Department of Chemistry & Physics. All sessions are free of charge, open to the public, and many are excellent for homeschoolers.
Unless otherwise posted, seminars are held from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. in Glaske C101 (Berry Auditorium) on the LeTourneau University campus in Longview, Texas. Lunch with the speaker follows, in the Joyce Room of the Corner Cafe.
Any questions or comments regarding the seminar schedule may be directed to Steven Ball at StevenBall@letu.edu or AmyStevenson@letu.edu or call the School of Arts and Sciences at 903.233.3310.
Opinions expressed by seminar speakers are their own and should not be taken as official positions of LeTourneau University.
Science Seminar Archives
Fall 2024
Fall 2024 Seminar Schedule
August
29 An Ultrafast Look at the Use of High Magnetic Field Spectroscopy to Study Insulators and Metal Phase Transitions
David Hilton, Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX
(video)
September
5 Observational Astronomy vs. Wasps, Quiches and Joe Davis Rd
Natalie Alvarado, William Boersma, Natalie Hoeschle, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
(audio) (image file pdf)
19 Texas and the Global Energy Transition: How commodity markets, policy, and natural disasters have shaped energy production and distribution in the LoneStar State.
Trevor Safko, ERCOT Policy Analyst
Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) | Austin, TX
26 Rheological Footprinting with Drop Impact
Pack Min, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Baylor University | Waco, TX
October
10 Chemistries of Plastic Recycling
David Silvensky, Manager, Olefins and Utillities Development
Eastman Chemical | Longview, TX
17 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and New Analytical Testing Techniques in Wastewater
Tracey Varvel and Bill Peery, Analytical Chemists
SPL Lab | Kilgore, TX
24 A Comparative Analysis of Forefoot Stiffness Between the 3D Printed Macy Prosthetic Foot and the Flexible Keel Foot
Sarah Schlimme, Prosthetics and Orthotics
University of Texas Southwest | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (video)
31 The Trinity River, Texas: Its Historical Management and Relationship in the Assessment of Consumer Product Chemicals
Scott Dyer, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
Nov
14 Elastic Synergy: Bridging Innovation and Industry for High-Performance Elastomers
Henry Martinez, Research Scientist
Eastman Chemical | Longview, TX (video)
21 Virtual Reality and Advanced Manufacturing
Matthew Rissler, Advanced Manufacturing Program
Harrisburg University | Harrisburg, PA (video)
Dec
5 Nanomaterials from Lab to Industry
Wonbong Choi, College of Engineering
University of North Texas | Denton, TX
Spring 2024
Spring 2024 Seminar Schedule
January
11 Following the Bethlehem Star: Early Christian Views on Astronomy
Edward Hamilton, Department of Chemistry & Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
18 Plugging a hole in the bottom of the sea: The Whole of Government Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Mark Moland, Associate Dean, College of Education, Arts & Sciences
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
February
1 The Biology of Weight Gain and Loss: Secrets for Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight
Fred Baliraine, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
8 The Importance of Data Clustering Stability
Ezekiel Cochran, Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
15 Diving into Solar Physics
Josiah Baker, Department of Chemistry & Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
22 Dark matter: Researching the Unknown
Phoenix Swiacki, Department of Electrical Engineering
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
29 Aerobiology: what are the common Fungal inhabitants here on Campus
Josh McLoud, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
March
7 Ruthenium Dinuclear Catalysts for Water Oxidation and Characterizing the Physical Properties of Self-Assembled Monolayers
Garrett Hidalgo and Kathryn Fore, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
21 Teaching math and science in developing countries
Scott Eberle, Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
28 Explosions, Lasers, and Computers: Understanding Chemical Kinetics
Clayton Mulvihill, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Baylor University | Waco, TX
April
4 Wormholes and Warp Drives
Gerald Cleaver, Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX
11 The Day the Sun Disappeared: April 8 Solar Eclipse Overview
Richard Miller, Department of Chemistry & Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
18 Faith, Physics, and Miracles in Graduate School
Steven Ball, Department of Chemistry & Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
25 TBA
Fall 2023
August
24 Aircraft Flight Dynamics Modeling Using Machine Learning (video)
Andrew Davis
School of Engineering and Engineering Technology | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
31 How you can use your science or engineering degree in the US Peace Corps (video)
Don Holly, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
US Peace Corps | Palestine, TX
September
14 Quantum Computations: Promises and Perils (video)
Edward Hamilton
Department of Chemistry and Physics | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
21 History of Space Exploration (video)
Nelson Bates
Historian Astronomer| Gregg County Historical Museum | Longview, TX
28 Whirling Dervishes in the Night Sky (video)
Kurtis A. Williams
Department of Physics and Astronomy | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce, TX
October
5 The East Texas Medical School (video)
Michelle Crum
UT Tyler School of Medicine | Tyler, TX
12 Taxi Cab Geometry (video)
Steve Armstrong
Department of Mathematics | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
19 Space to LeTourneau, can you hear me now? (video)
James Allen Morrison
RF Communication Engineer | NASA - Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX
26 Wormholes and warp drives (video)
Gerald Cleaver
Department of Physics | Baylor University | Waco, TX
November
2 Engineering meets Operation (video)
Allan Worcester
Mission Control Flight Controller | NASA - Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX
9 Breaking good, when a chemist turns to the right side of the law - could it happen to you? (video)
Benjamin Penticoff
General Counsel | Milliman, Inc. | Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
16 Environmental Science, Climate, and Politics (video)
Scott Dyer
Department of Biology | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
30 Aerobiology: what are the common Fungal inhabitants here on Campus (video)
Josh McLoud
Department of Biology | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
Spring 2023
January
12 Developing Efficient Semiconductor Lasers for Infrared Sensing and Biomedical Applications (video)
Linda Olafsen, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Baylor University | Waco, TX
19 Nonlinear Effects in High Power Fiber Amplifiers (video)
Jonathan Hu, School of Engineering and Computer Science (video)
Baylor University | Waco, TX
February
2 History of Science (video)
Thomas Whittaker, Department of History and Political Science
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
9 Heterogeneously Integrated nano-Photonic Materials and Devices: from fundamental Sciences to Emerging Application (video)
Alan X. Wang, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Baylor University | Waco, TX
16 Infinite Dimensional Vector Spaces: a little Introduction to a very big subject (video)
Corey Krause, Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
23 Developing Virus like Particles as Platforms for Nanomaterial Construction (video)
Dustin Patterson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX
March
2 Kilonova and Stellar Nucleosynthesis (video)
Josiah Baker, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
9 Waste Biomass to Products: A Chemical Engineering Journey (video)
Joan Lynam, Department of Chemical Engineering
Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA
23 Phase Transitions in Metals (video)
David Hilton, Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX
30 Chemical Discoveries that Changed the World (video)
Scott Morris, Department of Chemistry
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
April
6 Environmental Impact of Our Food Choices (video)
Stephen Sturdivant, Sustainable Materials Management
Environmental Protection Agency | Region 6
13 Through the Kaleidoscope: A Dynamic, Panchromatic Look at Supermassive Black Holes (video)
Krista Smith, Department of Physics
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX
20 Nonmetal Batteries Using Ammonium Ions
Henry Horist, Department of Chemistry
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
27 Extraterrestrial Intellectual Property - who owns the moon? (video)
Gary DeBoer, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
Fall 2022
August
25 The Christian Polytechnic University: Science, Technology, and Us (video)
Gary DeBoer, Professor of Chemistry, Director of the LeTourneau Ingenuity Center (LIC)
LeTourneau University | Department of Chemistry and Physics | Longview, TX
September
1 Using Eco-epidemiology to Assess the Potential Risks of UV Filters and Other Factors to Corals (video)
Scott Dyer, Assistant Professor of Biology
LeTourneau University | Department of Biology | Longview, TX
8 Chemical detection systems in insects: from genes to behavior (video)
Jason Pitts, Assistant Professor of Biology
Baylor University | Department of Biology | Waco, TX
15 WAN: a child friendly educational card game (video)
Curtis Wesley, Professor of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Department of Mathematics | Longview, TX
29 A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Scientists (7:00 pm)
Derek Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science
Calvin University | Department of Computer Science | Grand Rapids, MI
October
6 A Brief Overview of Patent Law for Scientists and Engineers (no video available)
Basil Angelo, Patent Attorney and Professional Engineer
Angelo IP | The Woodlands, TX
13 What do they make at Eastman Chemical and how do they make it? (no video available)
Toni E. Kirkes, Ph.D. | Eastman Chemical Company Advanced Chemical Engineer Texas Technology | Process innovation Office | Longview, TX
20 Through the Kaleidoscope: A Dynamic, Panchromatic Look at Supermassive Black Holes (no video available)
Krista Smith, Assistant Profess of Physics
Southern Methodist University | Department of Physics | Dallas, TX
27 Directed Self-Assembly of Soft Materials - Liquid Crystals by Chemically Patterned Surfaces (video)
Xiao Li, Assistant Professor of Chemistry (video)
University of North Texas | Department of Chemistry | Denton, TX
November
3 Probing the nanoscale in the lifecycle of a droplet (video)
Min Pack, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Baylor University | School of Engineering and Computer Science | Waco, TX
10 Computational Studies of Biosystems
Hedieh Torabifard, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
University of Texas at Dallas | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry | Dallas, TX
17 History (and future?) of Science
Thomas Whittaker, Assistant Professor of History
LeTourneau University | Department of History and Political Science | Longview, TX
December
1 Christian Ethics and Science
Jonathan Lett, Assistant Professor of Theology, Director of the Faith, Science, and Technology Initiative LeTourneau University | School of Theology and Vocation | Longview, TX
Spring 2020
January
16 Effects of Adult Acclimation in Drosophila Melanagaster (video)
Megan Perez, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
23 Medicine Gone Viral: SuperBugs vs Super-Viruses! (video)
Christina Spencer and Gregory Frederick, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
February
6 Electromagnetics and Communications Research (video)
James Allen Morrison, Department of Engineering
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
13 Exploring the Concept of Scope in Protecting Chemical Innovation (video)
Sarah Bittner, Patent Agent
Chamberlain Hrdlicka | Houston, TX
20 Smart Cities: Machine Learning and Sensors in Service of Society
David Lary, William B Hanson Center for Space Science
University of Texas - Dallas | Dallas, TX
March
5 Fuel Cells (video)
Elise Holland,
Department of Engineering
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
19 Crystallization during welding of bulk metallic glasses (cancelled)
Richard E. Baumer, Department of Engineering
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
26 Life on Coral Reefs
Scott Dyer, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
April
2 Physics and Astronomy
Sean Brittain, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Clemson University | Clemson, SC
9 Differential Equations and You
Lois Knouse, Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
16 Are the Bible and science in Conflict? A conversation between Augustine (354-430), John Calvin (1509-1564) Johannes Keper (1571-1630) and Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Wilson, Cunha, Department of Theology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
23 Medicinal Chemistry (cancelled)
Yvette Fobian
Sr Director and head of Synthesis, Inflammation & Immunology Medicinal Chemistry
Medicine Design
30 Directed Self-Assembly of Soft Materials - Liquid Cristals by Chemically Patterned Surfaces
Xiao Li, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University of North Texas | Denton, TX
Fall 2019
August
29 Graphene Quantum Dot Photothermal Cancer Therapy with Molybdenum Disulfide and Thulium
Tatum Martin, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (Video )
September
5 Characterization and Identification of the Protease Responsible for GSDMB Cleavage
Annabelle Malinowski, Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (No video available)
19 Properties of the Higgs Particle
Stephen Sekula, Department of Physics
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX (video)
25 Faith and Technology (7:00 pm in Glaske, C101)
Brent Waters
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary | Evanston, IL
October
3 Teaching Physics in China
Steve Ball
Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (video)
10 Successes and Challenges of Ab initio Quantum Chemistry
Devin Matthews
Department of Chemistry
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX (video)
17 Colored Motzkin Paths of Higher Order
Isaac DeJager
Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (video)
24 The Development of Sulfonamide Derivatives and Essential Oil Extraction Research over Three Generations of Organic Chemistry Students
Tyler Wernli, Jordan Cheng, Priscilla Ramirez and Bruce Hathaway
Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (video)
31 Taxi-cab Geometry
Steve Armstrong
Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
November
7 Patent Law for Scientists and Engineers
Gregg Parker
Patent Attorney
Parker-Justiss Law | Dallas, TX (video)
14 From Rocket Fuel to the Military Industrial Complex
Gary DeBoer
Department of Chemistry
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX (video)
21 Multiscale Modeling of Complex Materials
Doran Bennett
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Harvard University | Boston, MA
December
5 X-ray Crystallography and Molecular Biology
David Barondeau
Department of Chemistry
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX (video)
Spring 2019
January
24 ATLAS: Large Hadron Collider
Ryszard Stroynowski, Department of Physics
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX
February
7 Yes, But What Is Technology For? The Faith, Science, and Technology Lecture Series (7:00 pm - Great Room of the Allen Family Student Center)
Brad J. Kallenberg, Department of Religious Studies
University of Dayton | Dayton, OH
14 Euclid's Impact in History (video available)
Elizabeth Clements, Department of History and Political Science
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
19 Origins of Life (Tuesday, 7:00 pm - Great Room of the Allen Family Student Center) (video available)
Jim Tour, Smalley-Curl Institute and the NanoCarbon Center
Rice University | Houston, TX
28 Science and Religion (video available)
Jonathan Lett
School of Theology and Vocation
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
March
7 Technical Writing (video available)
Jesse Sharpe
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
19 Dark Energy and Cosmic Acceleration (5:30 pm) (video available)
Mustapha Ishak
Department of Physics
University of Texas | Dallas, TX
21 The Multiverse and Cosmic Fine-Tuning Considerations
Gerald Cleaver
Department of Physics
Baylor University | Waco, TX
28 Forensic Chemistry (video available)
Cameron Hartzler
Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
April
4 Deep Space Exploration: the future challenge in engineering (video available)
Kornel Nagy
NASA - Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX
11 A Photometric Study of the Eclipsing Binary V574 Lyra (video available)
Abbey Rickards
Department of Physics
Stephen F. Austin University | Nacogdoches, TX
18 Exciton Dynamics in Organic Semiconductors
Heungman Park
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Texas A&M - Commerce | Commerce, TX
25 Creativity and Mathematical Practice (video available)
Elizabeth Lick
Department of Mathematics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
May
2 Design and Deployment of Radiation Detection for U.S. Border Security
Asim Khawaja
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richardland, WA
Fall 2018
August
23 Kilonova: A New Era in Astronomy (video available)
Steve Ball, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
30 Chemistry & the US Space Force: Reactions of Oxygen Atom with Space Vehicle Effluence (video available)
Gary DeBoer, Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
September
13 Exploring the Envelope…Lessons Learned in Flight Testing (video available)
Craig Olson, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
20 Verification Analysis of Red Flag Warnings in the Reno, Nevada Area (video available)
Julianna Glinskas
Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
27 Research in Forensic Chemistry: Part 1
Claire Burson-Lamberti and Peace Namboote
Department of Chemistry and Physics and the School of Nursing
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
October
4 Story of Aerafin (video available)
Marc Somers
Eastman Chemical Company | Longview, TX
11 Summer Undergraduate Research (video available)
Marisa Trosen, Robert Moreland, and Sion Gowing
Department of Chemistry and Physics
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
18 Engineering and Science Career Paths at Eastman (video available)
Evan McDougall
Eastman Chemical Company | Longview, TX
25 Chemistry: The Fun Science that Enables a World of Modern Apps (video available)
Mohammad Omary and Claire Burson-Lamberti
University of North Texas and LeTourneau University
Department of Chemistry | Denton and Longview, TX
NOVEMBER
1 Research in Mathematics
Tibor Szaras
Louisiana State University | Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
8 Patent Law for Scientists and Engineers (video available)
Connie Nichols
Baylor Law School | Waco, TX
15 Research in Forensic Chemistry: Part 2
Kathryn Beverly Baker
Department of Biology
LeTourneau University | Longview, TX
29 Cell Biology
Beatriz M.A. Fontoura and Annabelle Malinowski
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
LeTourneau University | Dallas and Longview, TX
