STEM Seminars

Dr. Robert Blyth
"Introduction to the Canadian Light Source"
Seminar Video

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is a national research facility, where more than 1,000 academic, government and industry scientists from around the world come to use every year, developing innovative solutions in health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials… and we let high school students play with it! In this seminar, we hear from Dr. Robert Blyth, the Science Projects Manager at the CLS, who is responsible for upgrades and additions to the experimental facilities, as well as manages and supports our education programs. In this talk, Rob provides an overview of what the synchrotron is, an in-depth tour of inside the building, and how light is used to conduct research at the CLS. 

Rob's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Dr. Adam Gillespie
"X-rays and Soil Science"
Seminar Video

Dr. Adam Gillespie is a faculty member at the University of Guelph's School of Environmental Sciences. His presentation covers some basics on soils and synchrotron techniques, followed by some example studies. These studies include exploring carbon chemistry in Arctic soils, sulfur chemistry in fertilizer, and zinc chemistry in mining areas. The presentation ends with showing some uses of X-ray to probe the physical structures in soils. 

Adam's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Dr. Chithra Karunakaran - "Advancements in Agriculture Using Synchrotron Imaging Techniques"
Contact us for access to video

An agricultural engineer by training, Dr. Karunakaran is the manager for the Environmental and Earth Sciences department at the Canadian Light Source (CLS), and leads the CLS plant imaging and innovation research program, promoting the innovative use of synchrotron techniques for agricultural and food sciences research. Her seminar goes over the advancements of synchrotron techniques in better understand the structure and composition of plants. 

Chithra's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Dr. Gosia Korbas
"Mercury Toxicity Seen in New {Synchrotron} Light"
Seminar Video

Dr. Gosia Korbas is a senior scientist in the Science Division of Canada’s only synchrotron - Canadian Light Source. Gosia's favourite element is mercury (Hg) and she has been using synchrotron techniques to study its speciation and distribution in creatures as small as zebrafish larvae and as big as whales. She is passionate about STEM education and love working with various school groups coming to Canadian Light Source through Students on the Beamlines (SotB) program.

Gosia's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Dr. Colin Laroque
"Stories Wrapped in the Rings"
Seminar Video

Dr. Colin Laroque is a scientist who investigates tree-ring related research at the University of Saskatchewan through the Mistik Askiwin Dendrochronology Laboratory. His seminar is on his experiences in STEM education and how it lead him to become an educator, science researcher, and a Canadian Light Source user. 

Colin's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Joe Muise
"Beamline Adventures - How the CLS Education Programs Have Changed my Teaching"
Seminar Video

Joe Muise is a teacher who has been fortunate enough to attend various physics workshops to support his teaching in his physics classes. His seminar highlights how these workshops specifically the Canadian Light Source Teachers' Workshop has influences his teaching.  

Joe's Biography and Seminar Abstract

Zach Person
"Syncing Into the Data: Looking at the Trends and Patterns in Various Types of Synchrotron Data"
Seminar Video

Zach Persons completed his Masters using various beamlines at the Canadian Light Source to collect data on tree and soil samples and has helped develop the TREE program. His seminar highlights the different synchrotron techniques he has used and how to interpret the data to find trends and patterns. 

Zach's Biography and Seminar Abstract