Video of Programs (search and sort)

Snake Venoms: From Deadly Toxins to Potential Therapeutics
05/11/2025
Steve Mackessy

Dr. Stephen Mackessy discusses the evolution and diversification of snake venoms and their effects, finishing with a discussion of how therapeutics can and will be developed from venom compounds. His lab at U. of Northern Colorado (UNC) investigates fundamental questions in biology using venomous snakes and their venoms as a basic platform. He has published over 200 scientific papers, book chapters and natural history notes, several books, and special editions of several journals, with research including many students, and colleagues from nine countries and other US universities. He has received UNC awards in research and teaching (biomedicine and vertebrate biology), and has a B.A. and M.A. in Biology from UC Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. from Washington State University.

The U.S. and Transatlantic Relationships, They are A-Changin'
05/04/2025
Steinar Bryn

 

Steinar Bryn, a lifelong leader in dialogue and reconciliation amidst conflict, joins us one last time at Friendly House, to address how recent radical changes in the U.S. government may affect his work, which is often informed and impacted by such actions. Since earning his BA, MA, and Ph.D. in American Studies, his work has created tangible change, such as the de-segregation of schools in Macedonia, and has earned him eight Nobel Peace Prize nominations, the Livia Award, and the Norwegian King’s Medal of Merit. Note: First Sunday programs are generally more musical and interactive, so perhaps more family-friendly, than our typical programs.

 

Economic Insecurity in Oregon
04/27/2025
Juan Carlos Ordóñez

 

The federal definition of poverty fails to capture the full extent of economic suffering. This presentation by Juan Carlos Ordóñez will examine broader measures of economic insecurity, and what kind of policy responses are needed to ensure that all Oregonians have an opportunity to thrive. Ordóñez is the Communications Director for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and manages the Center's communication strategies and media relations, collaborates with coalition partners, and is a key member of the Center's policy team. He’s a graduate of Harvard Law School, a former litigator, a former freelance writer, and is the host of Policy for the People, OCPP’s syndicated radio show and podcast.

 

Tuberculosis: New Scientific Tools for an Ancient Scourge
04/13/2025
Jyothi Rengarajan

 

Dr. Jyothi Rengarajan will review the history of tuberculosis and its current status globally, and will describe the disease pathogenesis, the current state of treatment and vaccines, and unmet challenges. She will highlight ongoing research on TB and discuss the importance of funding basic and translational research on infectious diseases. Dr. Rengarajan received her MS from carnegie Mellon University, PhD from Harvard University, and is currently a Professor of Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine and is Co-Director of the Emory Tuberculosis Center. She also conducts translational patient-based research through collaborative partnerships in the U.S, South Africa, India and Brazil.

 

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