February 9, 2026 - Week 6
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Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10 | "All Science for War": How Far-Right Extremists Weaponize Genetics Research featuring Jedidiah Carlson, Macalester College
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4-5 pm • Boliou 104 • Math/Stats Colloquium Talk • More colloquium series information
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of research papers that claim to establish evidence of strong genetic influences on human behavior and socioeconomic outcomes. This body of work has emboldened far-right extremist groups and helped lay the ideological groundwork for both stochastic and state-sponsored violence against marginalized communities. In this talk, Carlson deconstructs how such studies perpetuate narratives of genetic determinism by employing statistical models that exploit the inextricable confounding between genetic and non-genetic causes (e.g., inherited wealth). Then, using metaresearch and scientometric techniques, Carlson will show how far-right extremist propaganda networks consume and weaponize these research papers. Carlson will conclude with a discussion of how the scientific community might respond to and counteract these distortions of scientific truth.
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Today, Monday, February 9
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Math vs. Stats Dodgeball Game - Rec Center, 1:30-3 pm
No sign-up required. Just come ready to play and have fun!
Towsley Student Research Partners - Application Deadline at 5 pm
Applications from faculty are being accepted for student research partners to work during the summer of 2026. Click here to apply for a Towsley Fellowship.
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Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10
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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!
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Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship Information Session - Anderson 036, noon-1 pm
Join us to learn how you can get financial support for your summer STEM research. A panel of past student fellowship recipients and Career Center staff will demystify the K-R fellowship, you will hear about their summer research experience, and you'll find out how it differs from an internship. View the K-R calendar event here.
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Bits & Bytes hosts a Q&A for Prospective Computer Science majors - Olin 304/6/8, noon-1 pm
If you are considering declaring a major in CS, please stop by! You'll have the chance to learn about the CS major, meet CS faculty, and meet the student departmental advisors, and hear from several CS-related student groups. Lunch will be provided. More CS major event info here.
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.
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Biology Comps Presentation - Hulings 316, 11:05-11:25 am
This session will feature Savanna Blair presenting, "From Degradation to Dissemination: How Zika Virus Repurposes Autophagy for Transplacental Transmission."
Chemistry Department Seminar: Ryan Cammarota '12, Cal State Fullerton - Anderson 329, 3:30-4:30 pm
Dr. Cammarota will present, "Data Science Tools and Molecular Descriptors for Predicting Reaction Outcomes."
Geology Seminar: Alli Severson - Anderson 129, 3:30-4:30 pm
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Biology Comps Presentation - Olin 141, 3:30-4:15 pm
Through weeks 4-9 we will be hosting comps presentation sessions. All are encouraged to come support the '26 comps class and learn about what they learned about on their comps journey! Attendance at the full session counts as seminar credit and cookies will be served. We are still finalizing this session, so stay tuned for a full list of speakers.
Datathon for Justice - CMC 306, 5-7 pm
Help a data science team to build a data set for the policing justice project. Volunteers will read documents like news articles and legal cases and fill in information about them. Bring a laptop. Free food provided! Register here for the Datathon.
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Campus Events and Resources
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Wednesday, Feb. 11 | The World According to Sound: Ways of Knowing
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7-8:30 pm • Weitz Theater • Arts @ Carleton, Humanities Center, and Ethical Inquiry
An immersive sonic experience about the spirit of academic inquiry. Surrounded by an octophonic ring of powerful loudpseakers, you are going to sit in a dark room for 70 minutes, wear an eye mask, and be taken on a sonic trip that asks you to rethink the world through your ears instead of your eyes. Register for The World According to Sound for free here. |
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Thursday, Feb. 12 | Continuity and Contingency: A History of Muslim Students at Carleton
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noon-1 pm • Olin 141 • Division of Inclusion, Equity, and Community
This presentation will explore a century of history, including the earliest known Muslim student, Muslim life before and after organized student groups appeared, and how Carleton's religious history has impacted manifestations and representations of Islam on campus. Lunch will be provided. Register for the Continuity and Contingency event here. |
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Open to Carleton Community
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Monday, February 9-Friday, February 13, | Love Data Week @ Carleton
Join Carleton data enthusiasts for multiple events celebrating data for Love Data Week! Offices across campus will feature galleries of student work, webinars, crafts, workshops, and more. Love data, have fun, and take a break!
Thursday, February 12 | Disobedience Across Borders: Lessons of Hope from Resistance Movements - Hasenstab 002, noon-1 pm
What can different resistance movements teach us about hope and resiliency? In this conversation, we bring together lessons from Jordan, Ghana, Rwanda, Chine, the U.K., and the U.S. to reflect and contemplate on possibilities for hope through social movements and collective action.
Thursday, February 12 | Show us the Data: Advancing Accountability and Justice in Carleton's Sustainable Futures Framework - Quantitative Resource Center, 4th floor of Gould Library, noon-1 pm
Learn about the data and climate science and politics that goes into measuring carbon emissions, and how targets, dates, and what we understand our emissions to be can change over time.
Friday, February 13 | Convocation with the Honorable Alan Page - Skinner Chapel, 10:50-11:50 am
The Honorable Alan Page is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL MVP who transitioned from a legendary defensive career with the Minnesota Vikings to become the first African American justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, recognized for his extensive philanthropy through the Page Education Foundation, and his work as a children’s author.
Friday, February 13 | CarlsChat with Susi Votruba '95, Principle Investigator at National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Virtual, 3-4 pm
Monday, February 16 | Engaging Across Viewpoints: Civil Discourse in Troubled Times - Weitz 236, 6 pm
In an era of deep polarization and media fragmentation, our shared civic life is under strain. How can citizens with fundamentally different views talk to each other without descending into anger, fear, or silence?
Monday, February 16 | Mortar Board Nomination Deadline
Do you know juniors who deserve to be recognized for their leadership and service? Nominate them for Carleton's Mortar Board chapter. They are accepting self-nominations, and faculty and staff nominations.
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Tuesday, February 10-Friday, February 13 | Make a Data Valentine! - Library Atrium
In celebration of Love Data Week, you can make a data-themed valentine at the card-making table in the Library lobby.
Tuesday, February 10 | Student Forum on Generative AI - Sayles 251, noon-1 pm
Students are invited to a discussion about generative AI and its place at Carleton. Share your perspective on, and experiences with, generative AI, as well as insights into how the college might best support students in navigating the technical, ethical, and societal questions surrounding AI. Free pizza! More Generative AI info here.
Monday, February 16 | Let's Talk About Reclaiming Spaces - Multicultural Center Conference Room, 5:45-7 pm
Sometimes the spaces that we navigate in our lives begin to move away from what we want them to be. This session will explore how we can reclaim our social spaces, our academic spaces, and our private/sleep space. Register for Reclaiming Spaces here.
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Tuesday, February 10 | Ed Tech Tea: Responsible Use of AI for Qualitative Analysis - Willis 203, 3:30-4:30 pm
Can generative AI really help with qualitative analysis? Let us explore strategies and pitfalls of using generative AI in processing your qualitative materials.
Wednesday, February 11 | President's Winter Quarterly Meeting - Kracum Performance Hall, 10-11:30 am
Wednesday, February 11 | Create a (Humanities) Dataset - QRC, 3-4:30 pm
Data-curious faculty and staff with projects, artifacts, or other materials can drop in for advice about whether and how it can be turned into data.
Monday, February 16 | Faculty Forum Session - AGH Meeting Room, 4:30-6 pm
Thursday, February 19 | Best Practices for Inclusive Hiring at Carleton - AGH 114, 9 am-noon
Join leaders from the Office of Human Resources to explore the dynamics of hiring at Carleton. Examine the dual role of human nature—how inherent biases and strengths can both aid and hinder hiring efforts.
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Life in the Subvinean
Where do you go if you're a small mammal in the frozen winter Arb, not brave enough to scamper about in the snow but not quite willing to hibernate the winter away? There is one refuge perfect for you: the subvinean. Click here to read the full article.
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Work in the Arb this Summer
The Arb is currently hiring for two summer positions. The Summer Restoration Technicians will lead native plant seed collection, invasive species control, and ecological restoration of the Arb prairies and woodlands. The Summer Research Assistant will engage in data collection and entry, reporting on research projects, and literature research. Click here to learn more about working in the Arb.
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Tuesday, February 10 | Interviewing 101 Workshop - Anderson 121, 6-7:30 pm
They will cover the range of interview types and practice proven strategies to prepare for and respond to the most common interview questions.
Thursday, February 12 | Prep Session: Minnesota Private Colleges' Job and Internship Fair - Leighton 304, 5:30-6:30 pm
At this session, they will cover information about the fair, how to search for employers, how to dress, how to introduce yourself, how many resumes to bring, and more.
Wednesday, February 18 | Minnesota Private Colleges' Job and Internship Fair - Minneapolis Convention Center, 9 am-2 pm
By attending this recruiting fair, you will have the opportunity to network with 200+ Minnesota, regional, and national companies. Bus transportation provided. Register by Monday, February 16.
Summer Internship Funding
Carleton is committed to providing funding to support unpaid and underpaid internships so that every Carl has the opportunity to have a high-impact internship experience. The next round of application reviews will be on Sunday, March 1.
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Round River Conservation StudiesRound River programs are more than an outdoor classroom. Enact real conservation change while gaining and understanding of the human element of conservation and connection to place. Expect to be part of diverse projects, learn a variety of scienctific field methods, become familiar with a broad range of species, and cultivate a deep and balanced understanding of conservation. They will be tabling in Sayles on Tuesday, Feburary 10 from 11 am-2 pm. They'll also host an info session on February 10 from 5-6 pm in Leighton 236.
Carleton Student Farm Internships
Student farm interns are responsible for planning and operating the farm throughout the growing season. You'll get help from the farm manager as you spend the summer planting, weeding, tending, harvesting, and selling crops. Interns work full time over the summer. Apply by Friday, February 13.
Research with Carleton Faculty
Professors Claire Kelling, Emily Kurtz, and Adam Loy have summer research opportunities available. On this page, you'll find a description of the projects, dates, work hours, prerequisites, and the application. The application deadline is Sunday, February, 15.
University of Minnesota Summer Undergraduate Research
This program provides research opportunities in science and engineering. It will provide up to 25 full-time positions in the summer of 2026. Apply by Sunday, February 15.
Summer Science Program International
This program provides advanced high school students a chance to complete a research project. SSPI is looking for college students to hire as Teaching Assistants and Residential Mentors that will assist in the areas of astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and cell biology. Learn more about SSPI here. |
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Congratulations to Eric Egge '94, professor of mathematics, on a fantastic tenure as Associate Provost. He will transition out of this role in summer 2026.
Melissa Eblen-Zayas, professor of physics, and Matt Whited, professor of chemistry, have agreed to serve as associate provosts and will take on these new responsibilities in July of this year.
Julia Strand, professor of psychology, published an essay titled, “How to Set Up and Run an Undergraduate Research Lab” in the Observer, the online magazine of the Association for Psychological Science. In the essay, she shares recommendations and resources for faculty engaging undergraduates as meaningful research collaborators.
Matt Whited, professor of chemistry, has co-authored an article with Daniela Kohen, professor of chemistry, and student collaborators Collin Pearson ’25, Annika Stewart ’25, Claire Lee-Zacheis ’26, Aidan Khan ’25, Wenlai Han ’23, and Kiana Giuliani ’27, titled, "Synthesis and Cooperative Reactivity of Sterically Encumbered Silyl and Silylene (tBuP2Si)Co Complexes" in the journal Organometallics. |
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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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