Events

April 29, 2025

Seminar "Reconstructing the Shape of Life Using Novel 3D Technologies: From Lizards to Whales"

12:45-1:50pm- O'Brien 117

New approaches using novel 3D hardware and software now allow biologists to visualize animal body shapes in a way that was previously not thought possible. In this talk, I will explore how these new approaches allow us to explore the evolution of size in the oceans and on land, and to determine if there are certain basic scaling rules that allow us to understand why and how animals have grown so large. Further, this talk will explore how 3D models of living animals are becoming increasingly powerful tools in studies of animal body condition, as well as in bioinspired robotics. New techniques in machine learning are accelerating these trends and can provide powerful new conservation tools for scientists trying to unlock the mysteries of animal health in relation to climate change.

Workshop: "3D Digital Photogrammetry: A Practical Approach Towards Scanning"

5-6pm in ISEC 222

This one- hour workshop provides a basic overview of the 3D photogrammetry scanning process, with an emphasis on the history, potential applications and practical aspects of this technique at multiple scales, and for multiple industries and applications. Various camera and video gear will also be brought to demonstrate basic techniques, and links to key papers, practical tools, software, and other items will be provided for students. A Q and A discussion around scanning of various objects will also be provided. This workshop is ideal for biologists, engineers, and for art students, as this method is becoming widely used in all three areas. The software (blender) is emerging as a powerful force within the 3D industry and academia. No registration is necessary. All are welcome to attend!

One of our signature events, TI Wednesdays, brings together faculty and staff to meet with their colleagues, get to know each other better, and discuss new ideas and potential integrative collaborations. Each TI Wednesday features a topic (e.g., Academic Honesty, Artificial Intelligence, etc.), and participants will be encouraged to spend at least part of the time discussing such topics together. From time to time, a brief “lightning talk” may be scheduled to stimulate conversation.