How can technology be used to combat stubborn viruses like influenza? Dr. Connie Chang, assistant professor in MSU’s Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, will discuss how the use of “droplet-based microfluidics” is helping to suggest solutions in the fifth and final presentation of the Winter/Spring Science Inquiry Series.
The talk will be presented at the Museum of the Rockies at 600 W Kagy Blvd in Bozeman, Montana on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Hager Auditorium.
The series, sponsored by the Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences, explores cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society through speaker presentations followed by conversations between speaker and audience. The talks are free to the public.
In her presentation, entitled “Using Technology to Fight the Flu—One Cell at a Time,” Dr. Chang will describe how creating and processing tiny droplets containing individual virus-infected cells can help to develop therapies to fight viral diseases.
Dr. Chang is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She was a post-doctoral scholar at Harvard University in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences from 2008-2013 before coming to MSU. Her soft matter and microfluidics lab is associated with the MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering where she pursues her interests in biomaterials and droplet-based microfluidics.
The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for audience members to engage in conversation with Dr. Chang in the museum lobby with light refreshments served.
The speaker presentation and audience participation segments together will last approximately an hour.