Saturday Morning Science Spring 2025 Schedule:
Programs are FREE and begin at 10 a.m. in Wolfe Hall Room 1205 (unless otherwise noted) on Main Campus!
NOTE: Free parking is available in Area/Lot 13 from 9:45 a.m. until noon. (Disability, metered, patient and reserved spaces are enforced 24/7 and will not
be suspended. All vehicles must be parked in designated lined parking spaces to avoid violations.)
Map: utoledo.edu/campus/directions/pdfs/Main-Campus-Map.pdf.
For Spring 2025 we will be exploring a diverse range of scientific topics - there's something for everyone, from cancer research to color theory to climate change. Whether you join us for one lecture or the entire series, you're sure to discover something new. We're especially excited to offer complimentary activities after select lectures, such as a tour of the UToledo Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory, highlighting how UToledo is powering opportunities for learning and research!
See the full schedule below for lecture speaker and topic as well as any after-lecture activity.
R.S.V.P. for Lectures is appreciated and can be submitted online: RSVP Lectures HERE
R.S.V.P. for After-Lecture Activity is required (space may be limitied) and can be submitted online: RSVP After-Lecture Activity HERE
Saturday, March 15, 2025
"Cancer: From its Origins to Developing Targeted Therapy"
Dr. Mara R. Livezey, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Detroit Mercy.
Dr. Livezey's Lab uses the tools of biochemistry and molecular biology to better understand cancer using small molecule anti-cancer drugs.
R.S.V.P. for Lecture HERE
Saturday, March 22, 2025
"Color Theory in Light"
Dr. Stephen Sakowski, Professor, Department of Theatre and Film, The University of Toledo.
Description: A brief exploration of how color and light exist, including some hands-on exploration of light in the Center for Performing Arts Studio Theatre.
Note: This lecture will take place in the Center for Performing Arts (CPA) Building located next to Wolfe Hall. CPA Room #1043. Entrance is on the corner of West Rocket Drive and West Towerview Drive. Free parking is only available in Lot/Area 13.
R.S.V.P. for Lecture HERE
Saturday, March 29, 2025
"Extreme Weather Events in a Changing Climate"
Ross Ellet, Meteorologist, 13ABC Action News, Toledo, Ohio.
Description: As the climate changes, it is inevitable that the weather patterns will also change, which is impacting the number of extreme weather events locally and the severity of them. However, as we dive into the data, you will see some trends that you expect and you will see some trends that are surprising. Could a hotter climate locally actually decrease the number of days with extreme heat (highs over 100 degrees)? While the common thinking is that a hotter climate will lead to more severe weather, the data shows that the tornado trends locally and across the country are evolving in complex and complicated ways. We will dive into the data to see how these extreme weather events are changing in a warming world.
R.S.V.P. for Lecture HERE
Saturday, April 5, 2025
"Water, Water (Isn’t) Everywhere; Is it Safe to Drink?"
Dr. Joseph Cotruvo, BCES, International Consultant on Water and UToledo Adjunct Faculty Member. Lecture cosponsored by Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis.
Description: Water is necessary for all life and essential for economic progress and survival in the world. In some places in the world, there isn’t a drop to drink or it is too contaminated to drink. The session will briefly cover a wide range of water topics, from water’s composition, origin, availability, causes of shortages, water quality and public health. Also, how is water regulated to assure safety, public tap water, bottled water and home treated water. There will be several brief case studies on major widely published stories; what really happened? Toledo’s algae event, Flint and lead, Erin Brockovich and chromium, PFAS, fluoride. Audience participation is encouraged.
After-Lecture Activity: Explore groundwater and river models, and see them in action, with Dr. Jamie Martin-Hayden in the Department of Environment Sciences, UToledo.
Dr. Cotruvo's Bio: Joe is a Toledo native and graduated from Central Catholic High School, and received a B.S. in Chemistry from UToledo, and Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from Ohio State Univ. After post-doctoral research in Europe, he managed R&D in a specialty and fine chemicals company, then moved to Washington, DC. After passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act, he was the first Director of US EPA’s Drinking Water Standards Division. His group produced most of the existing national drinking water standards. He was then Director of EPA’s Toxics Risk Assessment Division. He is an international consultant on water, water recycling and reuse, desalination, environment and public health and was board-certified in environmental science. He serves on the World Health Organization’s Drinking Water Guidelines Committee and several other water project advisory committees.
R.S.V.P. for Lecture HERE
R.S.V.P. for After-Lecture Activity HERE (required, space may be limited)
Saturday, April 12, 2025
"The Search for (Ancient Microbial) Life on Mars from Past and Future Studies of Samples"
Dr. Michael Velbel, Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University.
Description: The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the first symposium on sending a mission to the surface of Mars to collect and return to Earth with samples. We are still waiting for these rocks! This presentation reviews decades of missons and meteorite research that led to the current Mars 2020 mission and the preparation for the Mars Sample Return campaign to safely receive, house and study these samples once they reach Earth.
After-Lecture Activity: Peek behind the curtain of the UToledo Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory. Join us for a complimentary tour after Dr. Velbel's lecture.
R.S.V.P. for Lecture HERE
R.S.V.P. for After-Lecture Activity HERE (required, space may be limited)
Organizers: Dr. Michal Marszewski (Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry) and Heidi Westwrick (Ritter Planetarium, Department of Physics & Astronomy).
Questions? Please contact Dr. Marszewski at michal.marszewski@utoledo.edu
Sponsored by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Office of the Dean.
A very nice testimonial to the Spring 2023 Saturday Morning Science program was shared with us via email:
“Good morning. I just wanted to let you know that I attended all three of the lectures this spring and each one was excellent. I appreciate the diversity of the lectures as well as the quality. The bagels and juice are also a nice treat. I am sad that these are only offered in the spring. I would come every Saturday if you these were available. Thank you so very much for putting this together and I look forward to upcoming lectures.” – C.C.