Our Lady of Lourdes High School, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
7:30pm (Doors open at 7pm)

Science In Your Life Series Sponsored by:

Seating at Science In Your Life series is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Kathryn Ferrusi of Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union helped to kick off the 2012 Science in Your Life Series on Wednesday, January 25th with words of support for the program.

Kathryn A. Ferrusi of Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union with President of V.B.I. Maung S. Htoo, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
MARINE TURTLES AND CORAL REEF SYSTEMS AT PALMYRA IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Speaker: Dr. Eleanor Sterling
American Museum of Natural History
New York, NY

Palmyra Atoll is a low lying, extremely remote coral atoll located halfway between Hawaii and Fiji, near the equator in the central Pacific Ocean. It serves as a baseline for studies of healthy reef systems, helping us to understand coral reef resilience, global climate change and its potential effects on coral reefs, and invasive species. Several threatened and endangered species, such as sea turtles, live on or visit the atoll. Much remains to be learned about sea turtle population size and behavior in remote foraging areas in the Central Pacific, hindering comprehensive management and conservation efforts. A team of scientists is undertaking research at the atoll to gather information required for the effective management of sea turtles and their ecosystems and to contribute significantly to knowledge of regional population distribution throughout the Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Eleanor Sterling is Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History and Director of Graduate Studies at the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology at Columbia University. She leads the development and coordination of the Center’s national and international field projects and the development of curricula for undergraduate and graduate level education. Since 2006, she has served as the chair of the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium and is directing collaborative work to document biodiversity at the remote Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife refuge in the Central Pacific.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
MAN AND WOMAN: AN INSIDE STORY OF NEUROBIOLOGY AND SEX DIFFERENCES
Speaker: Dr. Donald W. Pfaff
Rockefeller University
New York, NY

Certain sex differences in the brain, important for behaviors tightly linked to reproduction, are very well understood.  Mechanisms have been revealed, from hormones to gene transcription in specific nerve cells governing such behavior. These will be presented. On the other hand, historically, sex differences were thought to have much broader applications in human societies than is really justified.  A new view will be discussed, one that avoids previous oversimplification.

Dr. Donald W. Pfaff is professor and head of the Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior at Rockefeller University, is a brain scientist who uses neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neurophysiological methods to study the cellular mechanisms by which the brain controls behavior.  He graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude and received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also is a member of several scientific organizations related to studies of the central nervous system. The author of several books on the brain and behavior, he received the 2005 Award for Excellence in Professional and Scholarly Publishing (medical science category) of the Association of American Publishers for his recent book, Brain Arousal and Information Theory. He is the recipient of a share of the 2010 Ipsen Foundation Prize in Neuronal Plasticity.

Please join us at 7:30pm this month at

Poughkeepsie High School Auditorium, 70 Forbus Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
7:30pm (Doors open at 6:45pm)

February 15, 2012
Marlin Darrah
Northern Europe

Experience this delicious sampler of fjords, fish markets, art museums, cathedrals, lively pedestrian streets, great canals and bridges, palaces and parks, and meetings with fascinating Northern Europeans. All this and more in locations in and around Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Prague, Copenhagen, Kiel, Bergen, Amsterdam, Antwerp, London and Paris.

February 22, 2012
Stan Walsh
On the Road to Oberammergau

Join Stan on this scenic trek thru Northern Italy ending up in the quaint, Bavarian town of Oberammergau, home of the world-famous passion play. Enjoy Stan’s ability to capture the essence of each place whether the old town centers in the Italian cities, or the Bavarian wood carver bringing out the beautiful, hidden figures in pieces of wood.

February 29, 2012
Rick Ray
East African Safari

Savannahs, lions, migrating wildebeests, jeeps crossing vast landscapes. Go on an adventure of a lifetime with Rick, visiting Nairobi, Masai Mara, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti Plains to name just a few highlights in Kenya and Tanzania. Top it off with a trek to visit the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

Announcing 2012-2013 Travelogue Programs

Programs for the 2012-2013 have just been announced.  CLICK HERE to download the brochure for the next season.  You may renew your dues at the membership table starting at the February 22nd travelogue presentation.

Please join us at 7:30pm this month at
Our Lady of Lourdes High School, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
7:30pm (Doors open at 7pm)

Science In Your Life Series Sponsored by:

Seating at Science In Your Life series is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Click to download Science in Your Life Brochure

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
FISHING THE CONGO: ISOLATION AND SPECIATION IN THE LOWER CONGO RIVER
Speaker: Dr. Melanie L Stiassny
American Museum of natural History
New York, NY

Dr. Stiassny’s ichthyological research has taken her throughout the tropical waters of Africa studying the evolution, behavior, and conservation biology of the continent’s diverse freshwater fishes. Her recent work is focused in Africa’s enormous freshwater heart – the Congo River. It is the second largest river basin in the world and drains an area the size of western Europe. It is also one of the least explored regions in terms of the extraordinary fishes it harbors. Recent discoveries in the Lower Congo suggest that this stretch of river is a “world apart” with deep underwater canyons and currents of extraordinary power and complexity that appear to be driving rapid diversification of fish species through isolation of populations living in very close proximity. In her presentation Dr. Stiassny will provide an overview of her recent researches in this remarkable river system and introduce a cast of ichthyological characters that are helping to unravel the complex evolutionary history of central Africa’s fishes.

Dr. Stiassny is the Axelrod Research Curator of Fishes in the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Ichthyology. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the New York Times and an appearance on the Colbert Report. Most recently her researches in the Congo River were featured in a National Geographic Television Explorer Special “Monster Fish of the Congo”. She is a scientific adviser to many scientific and conservation organizations including the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Conservation International and the World Resources Institute.  She has authored numerous scientific papers, books, and articles and is a popular lecturer and participant in Museum travel and educational outreach programs.

COMING NEXT MONTH . . .

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
MARINE TURTLES AND CORAL REEF SYSTEMS AT PALMYRA IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Speaker: Dr. Eleanor Sterling
American Museum of Natural History
New York, NY

 
December 7, 2011
Dale Johnson
Texas Highways and Byways

We are so happy to have Dale back in Poughkeepsie to show us our second largest and second most populated state. Visit the Alamo and the river walkway in San Antonio, the great Palo Duro Canyon, the Big Thicket National Preserve, a longhorn round up, the mysterious Marfa Lights in West Texas, and so much more!

December 14, 2011
Ed Fitchett

Ed Fitchett’s Army Memories – Historic 16mm Film Footage

(SPECIAL BONUS PROGRAM!)

During 1945-1946, Edwin Fitchett served in the Pacific Theater as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army 165th Field Artillery Battalion. While overseas, he documented the places he visited filming with his Kodak color 16mm movie camera. Little did he realize, sixty-five years later his color film would be a valuable record of the aftermath of the Pacific War.

Fitchett was the commander of a Prisoner of War Camp with a thousand Japanese and Taiwanese prisoners. He documented their lives with his movie camera, including work details, camp life and social events. The Japanese prisoners even built a miniature Mount Fuji, and made him curious about their country and culture.

During free time, Fitchett explored Manila, Corregidor Island, Bataan and even attended Philippine Independence ceremonies, filming up close with General MacArthur and President Roxas. Also, he accompanied prisoners being repatriated to Taiwan, Korea and Japan. In Tokyo, Fitchett recorded the rebuilding, bomb damage, MacArthur’s Headquarters and other famous sites.

Afterwards, he returned home via San Francisco and remained in the Army reserves for ten years. He completed his education at Cornell University and worked for his family business, Fitchett Brothers Dairy based in Poughkeepsie, NY and now lives in retirement.

Travel Adventure Cinima Article:

October 24th, 2011
Ed Fitchett Surprises With His Vivid Pacific War Movies
By Hal McClure

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CLICK HERE TO READ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SYNDICATED STORY!

Nov 10, 2:54 PM EST
WWII in color: NY vet’s rare footage made into DVD
By CHRIS CAROLA
Associated Press

November 2, 2011
Don Van Polen
Sea to Sea in a Model T

Join the Van Polens as they travel the back roads from Puget Sound in Washington State to the eastern most town and lighthouse in America. Along the way they describe the landscapes with delightful interludes of beautiful music as well as telling the fascinating story of Henry Ford’s classic car.

Video preview of our first program:

November 9, 2011
Mary Lee & Sid Nolan
Cruising the Eastern Mediterranean

After exploring the glorious sites of Venice we make our way down the Dalmatian coast visiting medieval Split and walled Dubrovnik. From there it’s on to many of the legendary Greek islands and mainland sites. After visiting the site of ancient Troy in Turkey, it’s on to biblical sites in Israel, and finally Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt.

November 16, 2011
Fran Reidelberger
Colorful Mexico

You enjoyed Fran’s The Other Side of Mexico in 2008, now you’ll love his further explorations into the land to our south. Take a ride on the Copper Canyon train, visit the Tarahumara Indians, relax on the west coast beaches and pet a 40-ton gray whale in the warm waters off the Baja Peninsula.

November 30, 2011
Tom Sterling
Gift of the White Moose & Florida’s Alien Wildlife

Go to the far north in Ontario and see a white moose and her two white calves. The experience is a rare gift of a life time! Then go to the far south and learn about the many non-native plant and animal species in the Sunshine State.

VassarBrothersInstitute.org | vbi1882.wordpress.com | (845) 224-3153
Vassar Brothers Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1882 devoted to further the study of science, literature and art

The human brain is the most elusive, mysterious, and   maddeningly complex organ in the body. Prod by prod, glimpse by glimpse, scientists form theories about brain structure and function. Now, for the first time, the elegant methods applied to study the mind are revealed in a visual history of brain research. Carl Schoonover’s new book, Portraits of the Mind: Visualizing the Brain from Antiquity to the 21st Century (Abrams), with a foreword by Jonah Lehrer, is a stunning visual history of the brain, from drawings by the earliest scientists to images produced by the advanced techniques used today. These beautiful black-and-white and vibrantly colored images, many resembling abstract art, are employed daily by scientists around the world, but most have never before been seen by the general public. This illustrated presentation will provide a brief account of the history leading up to our present era and focus on the cutting edge technologies deployed today in the service of research, diagnosis and treatment.

Carl Schoonover is a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate and National Science Foundation graduate fellow at Columbia University.  He graduated from Harvard College in 2006 and did research at Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, University of Paris V, France and Columbia University. He is a member of  the International Society for History of Neuroscience, and co-founded NeuWrite, the Columbia Neuroscience Writing Group. He hosts a show on WKCR 89.9 FM, which focuses on opera, classical music and their relationship to the brain. His new book was published in November, 2010.

Steve Johnson, Promotions Chair.
Vassar Brothers Institute
VassarBrothersInstitute.org | vbi1882.wordpress.com | (845) 224-3153
Vassar Brothers Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1882 devoted to further the study of science, literature and art