We trust our visual systems to provide reliable information about the world around us ("seeing is believing") and generally believe we are aware of what is going on around us. Despite that trust, there are numerous instances where there is a mismatch between what we perceive and what is out there (e.g., illusions). Some perception researchers and philosophers argue that we live in a grand illusion. What do they mean? Why would they suggest this? We explore these and other issues associated with the relationship between our visual system, attention, perception, and conscious awareness.

Long before the time of the Roman Empire, humans have been using the metal lead for a variety of purposes. From water lines to the brightening of paint colors, lead has found its way into many useful applications. By the 1800s, physicians suspected that lead poisoning posed a serious health threat, especially to children. This class will explore the uses of lead in society, the health and environmental costs associated with lead use, its continuing effects on physical and mental health as well as actions aimed at reducing the risks that lead continues to present to the American public.

Long before the time of the Roman Empire, humans have been using the metal lead for a variety of purposes. From water lines to the brightening of paint colors, lead has found its way into many useful applications. By the 1800s, physicians suspected that lead poisoning posed a serious health threat, especially to children. This class will explore the uses of lead in society, the health and environmental costs associated with lead use, its continuing effects on physical and mental health as well as actions aimed at reducing the risks that lead continues to present to the American public.

We will discuss the current state of stem cell and regenerative medicine. Particular attention will be placed on how stem cells will address present, unmet needs in stroke and neurodegenerative medicine. A discussion of how industry and academia have to work together in order to move a new therapy into human clinical trials is included. A discussion exercise is also part of the presentation.