Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Presented by Lance Liotta, MD, PhD and Padhu Seshaiyer, PhD (bios below)
A virtual and highly interactive remote session

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 35 million people globally, with more than 1 million deaths recorded by WHO as of Oct 12, 2020. As a second wave of COVID-19 affects Europe and the US, and with winter approaching, we all need accurate, up to date, scientific guidance about COVID-19 to safely navigate our families through this pandemic. The November Galileo Science Café will address the major questions from our Community about COVID-19.

What is COVID-19? How is it different from the common cold or flu?
Where did it come from?
How does it infect a person?
Will I die if I get infected?
How do you test for COVID-19 and which tests should I trust?
How does COVID-19 spread?
Do antibodies protect me from COVID-19? What is “herd immunity”?
Can I get COVID-19 again?
When will a vaccine be ready and should I take it?

Hear about the latest findings surrounding hot topics in science and medicine that affect our everyday lives and the decisions that we make. Join your family and friends for a free, casual, interactive science discussion. Learn from the experts and speak with them. If you would like to submit COVID-19 related questions not covered in the list above that will be asked during this session, please fill out the RSVP form

We follow necessary health, safety and security requirements whether sessions are held face to face or remotely!

6:45 PM: Logon
7:00-7:45 PM: Scientific discussion
7:45-8:15 PM: Q&A from audience
8:15-8:45 PM: Meet the scientist and networking reception
9:00 PM Session closes

Mason Scientific expert presenters:

Lance Liotta, MD, PhD, Mason College of Science University Professor, Systems Biology

Since 2005 Dr. Lance Liotta has served as Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM) at George Mason University. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Liotta served as Chief of the Laboratory of Pathology, NCI, Deputy Director of NIH, Co-Director of the NCI/FDA Clinical Proteomics Program, and Director of the Anatomic Pathology Residency Program. For his PhD in Biomedical Engineering (MD/PhD Case Western Reserve) he developed the first mathematical model of the cancer metastatic process and studied the early release of circulating tumor cells. At the NIH he went on to investigate the process of tumor invasion and metastasis at the molecular level. Dr. Liotta has invented and patented, along with his laboratory co-inventors, transformative technologies in the fields of diagnostics, cancer molecular therapeutics, microdissection (Laser Capture Microdissection), and proteomics (Reverse Phase Protein Microarrays, Biomarker Harvesting Nanoparticles, preservation chemistries for molecular analysis, and “protein painting” for drug target mapping) that have been used to make broad discoveries in cancer biology, and diagnostics, and therapeutics. The Laser Capture Microdissection prototype is in the Smithsonian Collection. His team at CAPMM studies the proteomics of human tissue, cultured cells, and body fluids, using this set of novel technologies. This research has directly resulted in ongoing clinical research trials applying the technology to the discovery of markers for early stage disease, individualized therapy for metastatic cancer, and adjuvant therapy of premalignant breast cancer. He is a founder of Theranostics Health and Ceres Nanosciences. Dr. Liotta has more than 100 issued or allowed patents and more than 690 publications. He is an ISI highly cited investigator.

Padhu Seshaiyer, PhD Mason College of Science Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer is a tenured Professor of Mathematical Sciences at George Mason University and serves as the Director of the STEM Accelerator Program in the College of Science at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. His research interests are in the broad areas of computational mathematics, computational data science, scientific computing, computational biomechanics, design and systems thinking, entrepreneurship and STEM education. During the last decade, Dr. Seshaiyer initiated and directed a variety of educational programs including graduate and undergraduate research, K-12 outreach, teacher professional development, and enrichment programs to foster the interest of students and teachers in STEM at all levels. He serves on several prominent local and national organizations including the National Math Alliance; SIAM Diversity Advisory Group; the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition; Council on Undergraduate Research and; the US National Commission for Mathematics Instruction by the National Academy of Sciences. In 2019, he was selected as Figures that Matter and was awarded a honorary doctorate from Vrije Universiteit Brussel. This was given to committed scientists who transcend the boundaries of their own disciplines and to personalities that have been at the frontiers of societal change.

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