Community Forum in Chemistry
Spring 2008 Schedule  

Hale Imiloa 111 (view map of campus)
University of Hawai’i - Windward Community College
45-720 Kea'ahala Road
Kane'ohe, Hawai‘i 96744

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Monday, February 4
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Patricia Lanoie Blanchette, MD, MPH

The Neurochemistry of Alzheimer’s Disease

Blanchette will discuss understanding the mechanism of the progressive disease process and methods of its treatment, including the chemistry of amyloid production, cleavage and deposition, and the chemistry of several neurotransmitters. The Community Forum in Chemistry at Windward CC will give community members and students a chance to ask questions and share their views with Blanchette about Alzheimer's Disease, one of the most devastating illnesses that can occur to a person and a family.

This event is co-sponsored by Windward CC, the American Chemical Society-Hawaii Section and VWR International and is coordinated by Leticia Colmenares, Windward CC assistant professor of chemistry.

Thursday, March 13
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Paul Q. Patek, Ph.D.

Programmed Cell Death and Cancer
     
Programmed cell death is a suicide mechanism initiated by cells when there is serious damage or growth deregulation. Functioning normally, the body can get rid of cancer cells, but why do some cancers continue to develop?  Learn more about programmed cell death and cancer in this forum.

Paul Q. Patek (Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas) is Professor and Chair of the Microbiology Department, University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Tuesday, April 1
1:30-2:30 p.m.
A. Christian Whelen, Ph.D.

Antimicrobial Drug Resistance – Are We Losing the Fight Against Infectious Diseases?

Are humans losing the battle against microbes and infectious diseases?  Will "superbugs" dominate us in the future?  Effective antimicrobial chemotherapy begins at the molecular level, and ends when pathogens adapt and overcome their susceptibilities.  This presentation will illustrate how antibiotics succeed, and eventually fail in this ever changing struggle.

Dr. Chris Whelen (Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of North Dakota) is the Director of the State Laboratories Division at the Hawaii Department of Health.

Monday, April 28
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Bob Cooney, Ph.D.

Diet, Carcinogenesis & Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a disease of aging. After age 30 we are all on a downward slope towards debilitation and death.  Aging is believed to be the result of a lifetime of chemical warfare that goes on within our bodies, as a result of our need to constantly fight infection.  Prevention of cancer/aging is a misnomer.  Rather what we hope to achieve is in actuality, delaying the process.  Optimizing physiologic function throughout one’s life appears to offer the best means of achieving this result and understanding the underlying chemistry of these physiological processes is key to achieving this goal.

Robert Cooney, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego) is Associate Research Professor at the Cancer Research Center, University of Hawaii.

What is the Community Forum in Chemistry?  

• Its goal is to increase learning in chemistry for all students (and community members).

• A practicing professional discusses a chemistry related topic that is relevant to everyday lives.

• During the forum audience participate by asking questions, sharing views and comments.

• Serves as a bridge between classroom and real-world applications.