Biosphere 2 Hosts Symposium on Chemistry and the Environment; Molecular Chemistry and Biodiversity Highlighted.TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 1999-- Columbia University's Biosphere biosphere, irregularly shaped envelope of the earth's air, water, and land encompassing the heights and depths at which living things exist. The biosphere is a closed and self-regulating system (see ecology), sustained by grand-scale cycles of energy and of 2 Center will host a symposium on "Chemistry and the Environment of the Biosphere" at its on-site hotel and conference center from Aug. 16 through Aug. 20. The symposium is sponsored by The Environmental Molecular Science Institute of Columbia University Columbia University, mainly in New York City; founded 1754 as King's College by grant of King George II; first college in New York City, fifth oldest in the United States; one of the eight Ivy League institutions. (EMSI EMSI Ecole de Management des Systèmes d'Information EMSI Electro-Mechanical Systems International EMSI Electronic Manufacturing Services Industry EMSI Emergency Medical Services Instructor EMSI Executive Management Services, Inc. EMSI Expanded Multi-Sensor Integration ) which recently received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support interdisciplinary research and education in the fields of chemistry, geology, engineering and environmental science. "This gathering has two purposes," said Dr. Len Fine, professor of chemistry at Columbia University. "One is to provide a forum for some of the world's best environmental chemists to exchange ideas and the other is to strengthen the ties between the chemistry department at Columbia and the earth systems teaching and research being conducted at Biosphere 2." The symposium brings together select students from Columbia University with leading researchers from several universities, and environmental professionals from industry and the government. One day will feature graduate student research projects on topics such as crazy ant pheromones pheromones, any of a variety of substances, secreted by many animal species, that alter the behavior of individuals of the same species. Sex attractant pheromones, secreted by a male or female to attract the opposite sex, are widespread among insects. , natural sunscreens Sunscreens Definition Sunscreens are products applied to the skin to protect against the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Purpose Everyone needs a little sunshine. in plants and measuring CO2 in ocean water. Another day will focus specifically on industrial collaborations to solve environmental issues such as recycling of fluorescent lights. The rest of the symposium will focus on research in the fields of cosmochemistry cos·mo·chem·is·try n. The science of the chemical composition of the universe. cos  mo·chem , marine biochemistry, computational envirochemistry and rainforest chemistry. Speakers include Tetsuo Yamane from the Rainforest Institute in Brazil, who will discuss the challenges of enlisting international cooperation to build a rainforest research center. "The Rainforest Institute is a perfect example of the need to connect chemistry, environmental science and public policy," said Fine. "The rainforests contain the last outpost of yet to be discovered molecules with important biological and pharmacological Pharmacological Referring to therapy that relies on drugs. Mentioned in: Pain Management pharmacological, pharmacologic pertaining to pharmacology. properties. The Rainforest Institute is trying to discover these molecules so chemists can learn how to reproduce them before they are gone forever." The interdisciplinary nature of this symposium is unique and the topics discussed complement the interdisciplinary research supported by the $1 million Packard grant Biosphere 2 recently received. Columbia University has completed a host of renovations to support research and undergraduate education undergraduate education Medtalk In the US, a 4+ yr college or university education leading to a baccalaureate degree, the minimum education level required for medical school admission; undergraduate medical education refers to the 4 yrs of medical school. Cf CME. at Biosphere 2 since assuming management responsibility for the facility and continues to strive for new ways to address the future of our planet. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion