February 23, 2026 - Week 8
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Thursday, February 26 | Software Engineering Then and Now: My 25-Year Tour from Assembly to AI with Justin Thomson '01
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3:30-4:30 pm • Anderson 329 • Bits & Bytes
In this talk, Thomson will walk through his personal career journey, from studying computer science at Carleton and doing early work closer to the hardware, to building and scaling real-world systems in industry, and eventually leading engineering and data science teams in regulated life-science environments. Learn more about Thomson's talk here.
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Friday, February 27 | Ligand-Driven Allostery and Interdomain Communication in Nuclear Receptors with Denise Okafor
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3:30-4:30 pm • Anderson 329 • Chemistry Department
Nuclear receptors are ligand-regulated transcription factors that controls genes important for metabolism, development and reproduction. |
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Allostery is a critical aspect of nuclear receptor function. Ligands of diverse shapes and sizes selectively modulate the transcriptional output of FXR by influencing the distantly located DNA binding domain. Our laboratory aims to understand how the structure of ligands allow them to achieve specific transcriptional outcomes. In this talk, I will discuss our work using the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a model to study these fundamental mechanisms in nuclear receptors. Learn more about Okafor's talk here.
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Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24
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Physics Table - Check Radiations Newsletter for location, noon-1 pm
If you have any sort of interest in Physics or Astronomy, come join other folks who are, and enjoy a community lunch! If you're off board or on a limited plan, let the cashier know you're there for Physics Table and we'll treat you to lunch!
Prospective Psych Major Info Lunch - Anderson 121, noon-1 pm
Come to learn about the psychology major: hear about the requirements of the majors, comps, and meet other psychology majors and prospective psychology majors. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions of the department chair (Professor Mija Van Der Wege), as well as the Student Departmental Advisors and the student members of the Department Curriculum Committee. RSVP for free lunch.
Mathematics and Statistics Comps Presentations - CMC 206 and 209, 3:30-5:30 pm
Topics include, The Upside Down: Exploring the astral plane of hyperbolic geometry through wormholes, Let Me Be Sphere: Interactive visualizations of projective varieties of spherical geometry, and Illuminating Visualizations of a Schwarzschild Black Hole.
SPS Spirit Week - Wear pajamas.
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SPS Spirit Week - Professors dress as students. Students dress as professors.
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Physics and Astronomy IDEA Team Meeting - Anderson 036, noon - 1 pm
During this first action meeting, the group will be identifying workgroups and sorting out tasks, and then the groups will organize and plan a timeline for the rest of the year. This is your chance to help plan events, make posters, or even be in the PHAS training video! Join us to help make Physics more welcoming and accessible. Light snacks provided.
Chemistry Periodic Table - Anderson, Mohrig student gathering space, noon - 1 pm
If you are off board, the department will cover your lunch. Go to the Schulze Cafe in the Daugherty Atrium and ask for the chemistry charge. Any questions, contact Danielle Morisette.
CyberAmbassadors Program - Virtual, noon-3 pm
This free, interactive training will focus on teamwork and will offer the opportunity to practice professional skills in the context of multidisciplinary research. It's offered in partnership with Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society.
Mathematics and Statistics Summer Science Fellowship Application Deadline
Two summers of funding are available to historically underrepresented first and second-year students to do research at Carleton or another institution.
SPS Spirit Week - Heritage Celebration Day.
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Geology Seminar: Angela Radke - Anderson 129, 3:30-4:30 pm
Psych SDA Cafe - Psychology Student Lounge (Olin 104), 5-6 pm
Join your psych SDAs for cafe drinks and snacks. Bring your questions about the department and major. Or, just come to hang with the Psych community!
SPS Annual Winter Picnic - Hill of Three Oaks
Join us for food, beverages, and tom-foolery. If there is snow on the ground, bring your own sled!
SPS Spirit Week - Hawaiian shirt day.
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Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship: Summer STEM Research Funding for Students
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If you are considering a summer STEM research opportunity, don't miss this recording of the recent Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship information session panel. In this video, two current students that received Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowships and a Career Center staff member demystify the application process and explain how research internships are funded at Carleton. This is a great resource for students who are considering applying for the Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship.
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Undergraduate Research in STEM Webpage
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The new Undergraduate Research in STEM webpage just launched. We've compiled a few resources to help students navigate finding a research experience here at Carleton. If you have any questions or would like to contribute a question for the Frequently Asked Questions section, please reach out to Jesse Lewis, STEM Program Manager.
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Campus Events and Resources
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Wednesday, February 25 | Sustainability and Food Access
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6-7 pm • Alumni Guest House 114 • Office of Sustainability and Office of the Chaplain
Hear from a panel of food experts at Carleton about how it has expanded food access and explore where we go from here. They'll also discuss summer food support. There are many offices working to distribute and sustain green food access at Carleton—from the Dean's office, to Carleton's farm manager, to student support from IFSA. Food access and sustainability are important values of the college. Dinner from El Triunfo will be provided. Learn more about sustainability and food access here. |
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Open to the Carleton Community
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Tuesday, February 24 | Student Financial Literacy Series: Building Credit & Understanding Credit Reports - Olin 141, 5:45-7 pm
Credit card ownership comes with great responsibility—and losing sight of that responsibility can have serious repercussions. Students will learn how credit cards work, strategies for managing credit cards, and discover the ugly side of poor credit card management. We'll also learn how to build credit and how to manage debt effectively.
Thursday, February 26 | Organizational Strategies Writing Workshop - Libe 306, noon-12:55 pm
Join the Writing Center for an interactive workshop on organizational strategies. Learn about various outlining strategies, including reverse outlining and Google Doc Headings. Then practice and receive feedback. Bring a work-in-progress if you have one, but it's not necessary. Lunch provided.
Sunday, March 1 | Chainsaw Training Workshop Registration Deadline - Flaten Art Barn at St. Olaf, 8-4:30 am on Sunday, March 29
Chainsaws are amazing and valuable tools for managing natural resources, forestry, and tree care. Safety and training are critical to their use. This workshop aims to provide an introduction to chainsaws and their safe use.
Sunday, March 15 | CCCE Summer Internships Application Deadline - 11:59 pm
Visit the CCCE website, where they have assembled summer internships into topical groupings with a description summary and Handshake links for each internship. These opportunities include public health, sustainability, food access, and environmental impact positions.
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Tuesday, February 24 | Strategies to Help Employees Cope with Grief, Trauma, and More - Virtual, 10-11 am
In today's world, employees are frequently exposed to distressing news and social media content, which can affect their well-being and work performance. This session includes guidance on maintaining engagement at work, responding to coworker comments on disturbing events, and managing the impact of technology and information overload.
Tuesday, February 24 | LTC on Tour: Share Your AI Story - Olin 141, 11:45 am-1 pm
It's hard to make sense of the implications of Large Language Models for our work and persona lives. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, skeptic, or ignorer, one way to build intuition, knowledge, and practical AI skills is to hear other people's stories about their adventures with AI. Bring your story!
Tuesday, February 24 | Ed Tech Tea: Carleton's Current State of Generative AI Tools - and How to Use Them in Your Daily Work - Laird 205, 3:30-4:30 pm
Carleton's key generative AI tools are Gemini, now in version 3 and Amplify, a gateway to some versions of ChatGPT and Claude. This session provides updates on the latest features in these tools with time to explore how you can use this in your daily work. Think meeting management, research planning, or remembering what notes you already have.
Wednesday, February 25 | PALS Coffee Hour - Schulze Cafe, 11 am-noon
If you supervise students who provide peer-assisted learning, join Melanie Cashin (ASC), Amy Hutchinson (LC), Rebecca Terry (MSSC), and Lin Su Winton (QRC) for coffee and conversation.
Thursday, February 26 | Working Well with Different Personality Styles - Virtual, 9-10 am
Whether working onsite or remotely, we will undoubtedly encounter a variety of personalities in the workplace. This webinar explores effective techniques to bridge personality differences and find common ground to enhance communication and productivity.
Thursday, February 26 | Faculty Drop-in Lunch and Conversation: Managing the World in Our Classrooms - AGH Meeting Room, 11:45 am-1 pm
Recent events here in Minnesota remind us that we are never separated from what's going on in the world - "wider world" events are unfolding literally in and around our communities and homes. Please join us for lunch and conversation with fellow faculty members to share ideas about teaching and learning in this moment.
Thursday, February 26 | Climate Justice Universities Union Launch - Virtual, 5 pm
The United States branch of the Climate Justice Universities Union will be launching and anyone associated with a university is invited to attend. This inaugural meeting will involve a one-hour online hub for anyone interested in connecting and getting more active in climate justice.
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Arb Talk and Volunteer Event
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Learning and Observing with iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a nonprofit organization with the goal of creating a space for the public to learn about biodiversity through observing and sharing information about organisms. Its website allows users to upload observations (usually photos or audio files) of any and all living things they may encounter. These observations are then added to a community database where they can be seen by nature-lovers across the globe, resulting in an intricate tool that is easily accessible and can provide fascinating insights at a local or regional level. Read more about iNaturalist from Cole Student Naturalist Gabriel Fisher-Navarro '28. |
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Saturday, February 28 | Volunteer Work Event - Meet at the bridge over Spring Creek along the paved trail, near the tennis courts, 10 am-1 pm
Our project for this event will be weather dependent. Depending on snow cover we may be controlling invasive brush, picking up litter, or some other task. Please make sure you dress for the weather including boots since it's sure to be wet! Please sign up so they can contact volunteers in case they need to cancel. |
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MEDITECH has been a leader in electronic health records for over 50 years, and they are hiring!
Interested in a career in reproductive health access? Learn more about a new opportunity as a Program Associate in Washington, DC. This discussion will also be held on Thursday, February 26.
This 3-week program is a total immersion business program designed to provide a rich, explorative, and empowering business education for today's learners and tomorrow's leaders.
Wednesday, February 25 | LinkedIn: Optimizing Your Network - Anderson Guest House Meeting Room, 4:30-5:30 pmReady to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level? Learn how to strategically showcase your portfolio, highlight your unique skills, and build a network of creative collaborators. Discover practical tips for attracting opportunities and advancing your career.
This session is ideal for any student looking to apply their degree in a real-world context, gain critical field skills, and build a professional network in the conservation sector.
Receive one-on-one guidance and feedback on your resume or cover letter from a student career assistant or a professional career coach. Drop in for a quick, 15-minute review and they'll guide you through formatting, structure, and highlighting your experience and skills.
Students are invited to enroll in two free, live, virtual courses being held during spring break: Excel Basics and Excel Intermediate.
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Jeni Sandau, administrative assistant in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience, has moved into the role of maintenance administrative assistant.
Barry Costanzi, assistant professor of physics, has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor effective September 1.
Daniel Maxbauer, assistant professor of geology, has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor effective September 1.
Adam Loy, associate professor of statistics, published the eighth edition of Mathematical Statistics with Applications with co-author John Chen. This is the first update of this market-leading textbook since 2008, and this edition modernizes the exposition, examples, and use of technology.
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Visit Carleton Integrated Math and Science for additional news and research opportunities in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, Mathematics & Statistics, Neuroscience, Physics & Astronomy, and Psychology.
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This Week in Science is produced by the Center for Integrated Math and Science. For questions about the newsletter, please contact Kari McMartin.
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