2013 Science Research Open Day

Wednesday 30 Oct 2013, 08:00 → 17:00 Africa/Johannesburg

Life Science Building (Main Auditorium) (University of the Western Cape)

Nico Orce (University of the Western Cape)

The 2013 Science Research Open Day (ROD) comes with lots of excitement this year! Our own Prof Alan Christoffels will present on the Sequencing of the African Coelecanth Genome and all the repercussions for the fossil fish first discovered in South Africa. Other prestigious institutions around the world contributed to uncover the secrets of the amazing Coelecanth. The breakthroughs were published last April 18 on the front page of the most prestigious science journal, Nature, and the breaking news were covered worldwide (CNN, BBC, New York Times, Spiegel, etc). You can find more in the following links: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v496/n7445/abs/nature12027.html http://www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/NS/News/Pages/SANBI-UWC-Coelacanth.aspx#.Uj63KFbiB1c SANBI is one of the best bioinformatics groups in the country and also carries on leading research on HIV, TB and cancer. Many South African students are doing MSc and PhD studies at SANBI and you could also be part of it! More excitement! For the first time, a Nobel Laureate in Physics will come to UWC. Prof Serge Haroche was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics last year 2012 for his work in Quantum Optics. This work enables to directly observe some of the most bizarre effects in the subatomic world, predicted by the quantum laws that prevail in the microcosm, and could lead eventually to quantum super computers and super accurate clocks. By doing physics, you can be part of a new scientific revolution! Find out more about the 2013 ROD at www.sanbi.ac.za/uwc_rod/

Agenda 2013 Science ROD Program

Poster Science: Our next step towards freedom!

08:00 → 08:45 ROD Registration

Get your ROD package & lunch tickets!

08:45 → 09:00 Opening 2013 Science ROD

Prof Michael Davies-Coleman (Dean of Science)

09:00 → 09:30 Opening Address: Science - Our Next Step Towards Freedom!

Prof Brian O’Connell (Rector)

09:30 → 10:15 Sequencing the Coelecanth: the Fossil Fish

Prof Alan Christoffels (SANBI / UWC) - Research Chair in Bioinformatics and Health Genomics

10:15 → 10:45 Coffee/Tea Break

Visit our Sponsors (Interactive Stands!)

10:45 → 12:15 PhD / Masters Talks: Biological Sciences

parallel Sessions: Physical & Biological Sciences

10:45 → 12:15 PhD / Masters Talks: Physical Sciences

parallel Sessions: Physical & Biological Sciences

Convener: Romeel Dave

12:15 → 13:00 Lunch

Visit our Sponsors (Interactive Stands!)

13:00 → 14:30 PhD / Masters Talks: Biological Sciences

parallel Sessions: Physical & Biological Sciences

13:00 → 14:30 PhD / Masters Talks: Physical Sciences

parallel Sessions: Physical & Biological Sciences

Convener: Jan Van Bever Donker

14:30 → 15:15 How did I win a Nobel Prize?

Prof Serge Haroche (Paris/France)
2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics

15:15 → 15:45 Ask a question to a Nobel Laureate in Physics!

Prof Serge Haroche (Paris/France)
2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics

15:45 → 16:15 Poster Session: with Coffee/Tea Break

16:15 → 16:30 2013 UWC Science Highlights and Breakthroughs

Prof Ramashwar Bharuthram (DVC Academic)

16:30 → 17:00 Closing and Awards Ceremony

Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu* (to be confirmed)