Category: Presentations and Talks

Modern and classical languages and literature graduate students, Estafany Álvarez Santillán and Cyndi Santillán, will discuss their research on “Monster Theory,” the circle of power and privilege, and other theories that they have applied to films they have watched and discussed in their media club.

It will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room. This will be an open discussion for faculty and students.

Students are invited to hear from Dr. Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, senior research writer at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, as he explores the rich history and cultural significance of bachata, an Afro-Latin music and dance genre, tracing its roots from the Dominican Republic to the world stage.

The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room.

Boxed lunches will be provided to the first 50 registered attendees. Note that individual meal preferences cannot be accommodated. RSVP is required.

The event is sponsored by the Department of History and part of the Afro-Latin Dance and Music Festival.

Join Responsible AI@ICT for the next event in its series from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 in 210 Engineering Building and virtually via Microsoft Teams.

This session, “AI and the Environment,” will explore the environmental impacts of modern AI. Come learn how we got here, and where we may be headed as a global society. Topics range from the major headline-grabbers such as energy use, to lesser-discussed aspects such as waste disposal and heat islands.

Sponsored by Responsible AI@ICT. For more information visit wichita.edu/rAI.

Most have that drawer, that closet, that spare room — or maybe that entire corner of the garage — that seemed like a good idea at the time. Clutter has a way of sneaking up, turning good intentions into piles of “I’ll deal with it later.” Join Jill D. Miler, program director of the Empowered Senior Seminar Series; and Kate Mast, professional clean-out coach, noon-1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 in 138 Hughes Metropolitan Complex for an interactive session that will explore practical ways to rethink clutter, make decisions with greater confidence and take small steps that can lead to surprisingly big results.

Whether you are considering a major downsizing project, trying to reclaim a room or simply tired of moving the same pile from one spot to another, you will leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas and renewed motivation to create a home that feels lighter, calmer and more intentional.

The Wichita State University Retiree Association Brown Bag Lunch Series features monthly presentations on topics of interest and gives you a chance to connect with current and former colleagues. All WSU employees and WSU retirees are welcome to attend. No registration is necessary. View the WSURA calendar for information about additional events.

Patricia Dove, C.P. Miles Professor of Science and University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, will give a technical lecture, “Crystallization by particle attachment in biologic, environmental, and synthetic systems,” at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 in 208 Hubbard Hall. She will also give a public lecture, “No bones about it: Biomineralization and discovery at the intersection of traditional disciplines,” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in 208 Hubbard Hall.

Dove has made major contributions to research in the biogeochemistry of Earth processes, the physical basis of biomineralization and geochemical controls on geophysical properties. Her interdisciplinary research is focused on understanding mineral reactions in natural and engineered environments. She is particularly known for studies of crystal growth with a special interest in biomineralization — the processes by which organisms grow minerals within tissues to produce skeletons.

Dove will also make a presentation to middle schoolers attending the Expanding Your Horizons event on Oct. 10. Her appearances this week are hosted by the Department of Geology. For more information about the lecture series, contact David Eichhorn, associate dean for faculty development and research, at 316-978-6659.

The Department of Biological Sciences’ fall 2026 seminar series continues Monday, Oct. 5 with Dr. Keith Harmoney of Kansas State University. He will give a public lecture, “A Silver Lining – Vegetation responses to recent northwest Kansas wildfires,” from 4 to 5 p.m. in 231 Hubbard Hall.

Seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit wichita.edu/biology.

Before Margaret joins an interactive conversation with the Barton School of Business on Oct. 27, the Barton School wanted to introduce you to the person behind the keynote. Her career has taken her from the business world to leadership roles at some of the world’s best-known academic institutions, and into classrooms and organizations around the globe.

Margaret began her career as a CPA with Deloitte & Touche in San Francisco before moving into strategy consulting with Mercer Management Consulting, now Oliver Wyman. She later served as vice president of marketing at Putnam Investments. Then came higher education.

Join Margaret and the Barton School for an interactive conversation about leadership, creativity, emotional intelligence and what it takes to become the leader you want to be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Seating is extremely limited. RSVP at wichita.edu/there

Join the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for its next weekly seminar which will take place at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 in 224 McKinley Hall. The department is honored to host Dr. Steven DeFiglia from the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory who will deliver a talk titled “Ion Mobility Coupled with FT-ICR at the National High-Field Ion Cyclotron User Facility for Characterization of Isobars and Isomers.”

At 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, the Department of Biomedical Engineering is honored to host a seminar by Dr. Jessica Aldrich, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The seminar will be in 226 Woolsey Hall, Commerce Bank and William T. Kemper Foundation Room. Dr. Aldrich will present on “Moving The Needle on The Health Span: Using Biomedical Engineering as a Multipronged Approach to Understand the Musculoskeletal System.”

Seminar description:

“Orthopedic injuries and disease are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Athletes, military veterans and aging adults are some of the critical populations impacted by orthopedic injuries. Each of these populations experiences orthopedic injury differently and has different needs related to treatment and healing outcomes. For example, after traumatic joint injuries, such as ACL tears, athletes may benefit from biomaterial therapies designed to rebalance the joint to homeostatic conditions following surgical repair. Military veterans, or individuals in traumatic accidents, who suffer a major loss of bone may benefit from a tissue engineered solution to replace lost bone material. Predictive tools and organoid systems may better inform our understanding of who is susceptible to chronic injuries, like stress fractures, or disorders, like osteoporosis. Biomaterials and tissue engineering applications are at the leading edge of treating orthopedic injuries and disorders. The objective of this seminar is to explore applications of biomedical engineering in the treatment and understanding of orthopedic injury.”

Find out how the Assyrian empire and Babylonian myths upended people’s understanding of the Bible in a discussion at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5 in 230 Ablah Library, Jane McHugh Research Lab with Dr. Rannfrid I. Lasine Thelle, author and professor in the Department of History, introducing “Babel and Bible.”