Johns Hopkins plans virtual lecture series with Gilman Scholars

A new virtual lecture series will carry on the mission of Johns Hopkins University to share knowledge with the world, despite measures currently in place to limit social interactions during the ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19.

The series, called Looking Forward @ Johns Hopkins, will feature Gilman Scholars, distinguished Hopkins faculty from a range of research disciplines who have been recognized for their scholarship, research, teaching, and service. Their research presentations and question and answer sessions will seek to bridge the gaps that have emerged as a result of physical social distancing and the mandatory cancellations of campus-based lectures. The series also aims to inspire faculty, students, and staff to bring new ideas back to school with them when campuses reopen.

"This is an excellent example of how Johns Hopkins faculty are not only working tirelessly to meet the challenge of this pandemic, but are also keeping us connected to cutting-edge research during this difficult time," says Johns Hopkins Provost Sunil Kumar. "Initiatives like this one from the Gilman Scholars show how dedicated our colleagues are to providing exciting learning opportunities outside of their teaching duties."

The series is organized by Andrew Feinberg, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of epigenetics at the schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Engineering. The idea for the series was sparked after Feinberg heard fellow Gilman Scholars give dinner presentations on their research. The presentations were so inspiring that Feinberg thought a remote speaker series could serve as a source of motivation to the entire Johns Hopkins University scholarly community.

"I've been awed by the scholarship of my colleagues in this group," says Feinberg. "They talk about their own research with excitement and passion. I thought it might be fun for them to share their ideas with the community, particularly to help us think about some of the exciting scholarship we'll be able to pursue when we come back to campus. This is just one effort and I hope it stimulates other groups to hold similar talks across campus."

Feinberg will present the first lecture on Thursday, April 2, at noon. Registration for the lecture is open now.

The first six talks have been scheduled. "Many of us are engaged in the response to COVID-19. As things settle down we can add more to the list," Feinberg says.

Scheduled speakers include:

• Andrew Feinberg, April 2: "Epigenetics and the Adaptive Genome in a Changing Environment"
• Al Sommer, April 9: "Do You Really Want to Hear From an Epidemiologist at a Time Like This?"
• Barbara Landau, April 16: "Unforgettable: When an Amnesic Artist Remembers"
• Mike Miller, April 23: "Pointilism, Alzheimer's, and COVID-19: What do they have in common?"
• Jeremy Nathans, April 30: "X-chromosome Inactivation, Color Vision, and the Female Advantage"
• Lisa Cooper, May 7: "Health Inequities in a Global Pandemic"