Speaker: Duojia Pan, UT Southwestern Medical CenterHost: The Postdoctoral AssociationTitle: "Solid-like condensates of tumor suppressor protein Merlin/NF2 in Hippo pathway regulation"The Biology Colloquium is a weekly seminar held throughout the academic year — featuring distinguished speakers in many areas of the biological sciences from universities and institutions worldwide. More information on speakers, their affiliations, and titles of their talks will be added as available. Unless otherwise stated, the Colloquium will be held live in Stata 32-123 (Kirsch auditorium) Contact Margaret Cabral with questions.

Speaker: Sean Howe (University of Utah)Title: Sideways equidistribution of function field L-functionsAbstract:In the first part of this talk, we will explain a concise description of the asymptotic distributions of eigenvalues of Haar-random orthogonal matrices using a new $\sigma$-moment generating function that replaces the usual exponential with the plethystic exponential of symmetric function theory. Similar descriptions can be obtained also for compact symplectic, unitary, and symmetric groups.In the second part of the talk, we will explain how to use point-counting techniques to compute, for a fixed finite field $\mathbb{F}_q$, the distribution of the zeroes of the $L$-function of a random smooth degree $d$ surface in $\mathbb{P}^3_{\mathbb{F}_q}$ as $d ightarrow \infty$. The result is a simple description of the asymptotic $\sigma$-moment generating function. Comparing this with our description of the asymptotic distribution of the eigenvalues of a Haar-random orthogonal matrix, we obtain an equidistribution result that is "sideways" compared to the equidistribution results obtained by Katz and Sarnak, i.e. where the order of the limits in $d$ and $q$ have been exchanged. This sideways equidistribution is finer in that it sees the stable cohomology of local systems in all degrees instead of just the zeroth degree needed to compute monodromy.The techniques used are robust and apply also to the L-functions of more general smooth hypersurface sections, as well as some simple Dirichlet characters that were previously studied by Bergström-Diaconu-Petersen-Westerland. Time permitting, we will briefly discuss further generalizations and related work in progress joint with Bertucci / Bilu / Bilu and Das.

This talk will be a radical exploration of how higher education can advance transformative climate justice.Amid the worsening climate crisis and intensifying inequities, higher education can play a powerful role in addressing the intersecting crises facing humanity. Institutions of higher education hold untapped potential to advance social justice and reduce climate injustices. However, universities are not yet structured to accelerate social change for the public good.In Climate Justice and the University, Jennie Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice at the National University of Ireland Maynooth and a professor at Northeastern University (currently on leave), reimagines the potential of higher education to advance human well-being and promote ecological health. She will be introduced by John E. Fernández, director of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiaitve, and converse with Naomi Oreskes, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University.Books will be available for sale!Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpiM-a3jvi5xiyTWdWgxBTi-y8h0TmuwTy8Q5_x891GZOuNA/viewform

Are you uncertain about how to find an amazing opportunity—whether it is for research, an internship, or a full-time position? This 30-minute workshop will help you learn ways to structure and execute your job search in both an active and passive way. After this session, you'll feel more confident about navigating the uncertainty of a job search!The CAPD Career Advisor will be available before and after this event to answer questions.

This yoga practice provides the opportunity to relax and de-stress as well as to stretch, strengthen, and balance your body. The practice begins with a meditative centering followed by warm-ups, a posture flow, and a restful final relaxation. We conclude with a closing and some time for connecting with your fellow yogis.The yoga postures are led at a moderate intensity. Lower intensity modifications are always offered and there is absolutely no obligation to do any posture. The goal is to make the class accessible to beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Listening to your body is the key to safety, especially in this online format.Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

The MIT wrestling club holds practices in the du Pont Wrestling Room on weeknights 5:30-7pm. All levels of experience welcome! Whether you're looking to learn how to grapple or just want to get in a good workout, wrestling practice is a good time to learn technique, get in some live goes, and have fun with a great group of people.Current schedule is: structured practice MTRF, open mats W, and technique sessions 9-10:30am on Saturday. For more information, contact wrestling-officers@mit.edu.