Food for Thought: A series of public events featuring research and creative projects by recent CAS Associates and Fellows.

We are delighted to showcase the work of some of our most productive and creative faculty in this informal series of intellectually and spiritually invigorating presentations. You are invited to drop in when you can to learn about the exciting projects undertaken by our faculty.

11:00am-11:45am: David Molitor, CAS Associate 2023-24, Finance

The Health Burden of Wildfire Smoke in the United States

Wildfire smoke is a growing threat to U.S. air quality. Between 2007 and 2019, it contributed to over 20% of ambient fine particulate matter and significantly increased mortality and ER visits among adults 65 and older. Smaller pollution events had outsized health effects, underscoring the value of improving air quality even in areas that meet current standards.

Noon-12:45pm: Kathryn Clancy, CAS Associate 2023-24, Anthropology

Pregnancy, Interrupted: The New Science of Miscarriage

Most of the process of getting pregnant involves not getting pregnant, or getting un-pregnant. Uteruses did not evolve to make baby after baby: they evolved to practice and fail, many times over, through menstruation and pregnancy loss spanning one’s entire reproductive years. Of all outcomes, a baby is the least likely, yet most expected: the least supported, yet most demanded. In a culture of compulsory motherhood, it is important to understand that getting pregnant may be simple, but it is not easy.