Events
Past Event
WED@NICO SEMINAR: Chris Kuzawa, Northwestern University "Fetal developmental plasticity as signal-noise problem: the case of nutrients and stress physiology"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
//
Lower Level, Chambers Hall
Details

Speaker:
Chris Kuzawa, John D. MacArthur Professor, Department of Anthroplogy, Northwestern University
Title:
Fetal developmental plasticity as signal-noise problem: the case of nutrients and stress physiology
Abstract:
The stage of human development marked by greatest sensitivity and developmental plasticity occurs prior to birth, when the developing embryo and fetus are embedded within the highly regulated intrauterine environment maintained by the mother’s body. In this talk, I will discuss the timescales of maternal experience that modify this milieu, with a focus on two crucial systems: nutrient metabolism and stress physiology. I will argue that elaborate and redundant maternal buffering of nutrient delivery uncouples short term variability in what the mother eats – whether negative changes like famine or improvements in the form of nutritional supplementation - from fetal nutrition and development, which instead track changes in maternal nutrition on a longer, generational timescale. In contrast, stress physiology is by design highly responsive to the mother’s short-term experiences and the responsiveness of these systems have broad spill-over effects on fetal development, thus linking offspring biological and health outcomes to acute variability in maternal stress during pregnancy. I will discuss the relevance of these principles for understanding the evolution of the flow of ecological information across generations and the design of interventions aimed at harnessing early life plasticity to improve future population health.
Speaker Bio:
Chris Kuzawa and his students and collaborators use principles from anthropology and evolutionary biology to gain insights into the biological and health impacts of human developmental plasticity. Thier primary field research is conducted in Cebu, the Philippines, where they work with a large birth cohort study that enrolled more than 3,000 pregnant women in 1983 and has since followed their offspring into adulthood (now 30 years old). They use the nearly 3 decades of data available for each study participant, and recruitment of generation 3 (the grandoffspring of the original mothers), to gain a better understanding of the long-term and intergenerational impacts of early life environments on adult biology, life history, reproduction, and health. A theme of much of this work is the application of principles of developmental plasticity and evolutionary biology to issues of health. Professor Kuzawa is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Location:
In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/91503621521
Passcode: NICO23
About the Speaker Series:
Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems and data science. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.
Time
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
Data Connection Hub - April Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
Details

The Data Connection Hub is being created as a transdisciplinary space which builds communication, understanding, and relationships across a variety of stakeholders while also highlighting local community-engaged and participatory data science efforts. Our monthly meetings and the accompanying Slack communities are meant to be broadly inclusive, and we welcome students and faculty from all Chicagoland Institutions, as well as community partners and those who wish to learn more.
This hub is jointly organized by the CONNECT Research Program and the Metropolitan Chicago Data-Science Corps Program.
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3XkaSKc
Time
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)