Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Showcase 2015 highlights

Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Showcase 2015 - Three Minute Thesis presenters with Mary Catherine and James Fallona

Mary Catherine Fallona (front centre). and James Fallona (rear centre) with the Three Minute Thesis presenters.

The second annual Fallona Family Interdisciplinary Showcase was held in the Physics and Astronomy building on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.

This successful event is a result of the generous support and vision of Western alumni Mary Catherine and James Fallona.

The first international winner of the Fallona Interdisciplinary Science Award was Professor Jocelyn Millar of the University of California, Riverside.

Professor Millar's keynote presentation was titled, "Travel with my ant: Deciphering the chemical languages of insects."

In addition, a group of 13 Western science graduate students from all disciplines gave Three Minute Thesis presentations on their research topics.

The introductions and opening remarks were made by event organizer, Special Advisor to the Dean (Research) Martin Houde, along with the Dean of Science, Charmaine Dean.

After the oral presentations, James Fallona spoke of his passion for intersdisciplinary studies, giving everyone a fascinating insight into the design of the medal which is presented yearly to the award winner.

During the afternoon, approximately 110 posters were on display throughout the atrium of the Physics and Astronomy building. Graduate student researchers were on hand to discuss their research posters while everyone enjoyed light snacks and drinks after the oral presentations.

The Physics and Astronomy building atrium was a showpiece, being geometrically arrayed with newly acquired poster boards all adorned in deep Western purple.

A group of faculty judges chose poster winners and runners-up from four categories of interdisciplinary sciences.

The Three Minute Thesis presenters from the Department of Physics and Astronomy were:

  • Shayamila Gamage
  • Ali Jalali
  • Pubuditha Abeyasinghe
  • Sivayini Kandeepan
  • Jeffrey VanKerkhove

[images on Flickr]  [Physics and Astronomy highlights on Youtube] [check Western Science for more images and all videos]

The Fallona Interdisciplinary Showcase 2015 poster prize winners

The Fallonas with the poster prize winners.

The Fallona Interdisciplinary Award medal

The Fallona Interdisciplinary Award medal.

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