STEAM Speaker Series

The STEAM Speaker Series features lectures on a range of topics covering the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Lectures are offered in the fall and spring semesters and are open to students, faculty and community members.

The series is coordinated by Elias Argyris, Associate Professor of Biology.

February 23-28, 2026 on YouTube

Dr. Michael LaMagna, Information Literacy Program & Library Services Coordinator
Professor of Library Services, DCCC

Copyright law has historically been grounded in human creativity; however, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are capable of producing original-seeming content with minimal or no direct human involvement. This development challenges longstanding assumptions about what qualifies as a “work of authorship” and who holds the associated rights. Learn about the current legal landscape and key legal decisions around AI and copyright.

Visualizing & Applying CRISPR Adaptive Immune Systems
Bacteria use CRISPR adaptive immune systems to defend against viruses called phages. Dr. Santiago-Frangos shows how CRISPR systems can be reprogrammed to recognize human viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, for fast and reliable diagnostics. Furthermore, his lab uses structural biology to show how bacteria regulate immunity by folding their DNA like origami. Dr. Santiago-Frangos anticipates that many other types of DNA integration events, critical in diverse biological processes from bacteria to humans, are similarly regulated by unique DNA shapes.”

Presenter: Dr. Andrew Santiago-Frangos, Assistant Professor of Biology, UPENN

MARCH 24-31 2025 on YouTube