SEMINAR DAY

About Seminar Day

Thank you for your interest. Watch for details about Seminar Day 2024!

Saturday, May 13, 2023, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm PT

Caltech's Seminar Day tradition continues, with the 86th annual one-day event on May 13, 2023. Seminar Day brings together Caltech alumni, faculty, students, staff, and the community from around the world to learn about the latest research and discoveries from Caltech faculty and alumni across various fields of science, technology, and engineering.

This year Seminar Day will be a hybrid event with a single-track so you can return to Beckman Auditorium for a full day of talks and Q&A or join us virtually and catch all sessions from wherever you may be.

Registration

Thank you for your interest. Watch for details about Seminar Day 2024!

See who registered for Seminar Day 2023 virtually and in person.

Seminar Day FAQs

For In-Person Attendees

Where do I park?

  • Complimentary parking is available in the Wilson Parking Structure, 341 S Wilson Ave, Pasadena, near the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and Wilson Avenue. Parking lots north of Beckman Auditorium at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard are currently closed due to campus construction.

Where do I check in?

  • Pick up your event credentials at the check-in booths on Beckman Mall. Registration will be organized by your last name.  

Will breakfast and lunch be provided?

  • Yes. Your registration includes a continental breakfast, break station, and a picnic lunch.  

How do I ask questions during the session?

  • Both in-person and virtual guests will use the Slido application to ask questions or vote for another guest’s question during Seminar Day. No downloads or apps required, you can simply scan the unique QR code shown during each session. (Virtual guests also may use the Q&A tab in the WebEx platform.)

What Campus Open Houses can I visit during the lunch break?

  • You can choose to visit a large variety of Campus Open Houses including the new Chen Neuroscience Research Building, Hameetman Center, Caltech Archives, Cushing Lab, Gao Lab, and more. A full list will be included in the Seminar Day program. Locations will be open from noon to 2 pm. Show your Seminar Day name tag for entry.

Where can I find out more about campus accessibility?

  • Click here for an accessibility map of the campus.

I am no longer able to attend in-person at Caltech, can I switch to virtual participation?

  • Yes, you can register to join virtually. Virtual registration is available here and will remain open throughout Seminar Day on May 13.

For Virtual Participants

What is the virtual events platform for Seminar Day?

  • Webex Events will give you virtual entry to an immersive, secure, and engaging Seminar Day, broadcast live as it happens on campus. Use the Google Chrome browser for the best experience with the platform. Network and connect with fellow Techers, check out Caltech and CAA resources, and enjoy a seamless viewing experience from wherever you are.

I am having difficulty accessing the platform. What should I do?

  • Try these quick help tips:
  1. Connect using Google Chrome for the Seminar Day best experience.
  2. Disable any VPN connections.
  3. Be sure you are registered for the event.
  4. Enter the event access code provided in your guest email.
  • Log in using the email address you used to register - one unique email address per attendee. For security purposes, each registered email address will only work on one device at a time and cannot be used by multiple attendees.
  • Check for any typos in your email address or log-in credentials and event access code.

I’m still having difficulty. Who should I contact for support?

  • On event day, you can contact a live help desk to chat directly with Webex technical support.  
  • Live support is available Saturday, May 13, from 8 am to 5 pm (PT) via phone and online. You have several options to contact live support.
  • +1-408-525-6800 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
  • Access code: 257 041 29949   

Can I use my phone to join Seminar Day?

  • Yes! Click on the event link on your mobile phone to tune into and watch Seminar Day live, via the WebEx app. For the best experience, use your desktop or laptop computer and the Google Chrome browser.  

I am in the virtual platform. How do I attend a session?

  • The “Agenda & Live Stream” feature on the virtual platform will guide your Seminar Day experience. The agenda features the event schedule and live stream access by session. When you log into the platform, you’ll see the “Agenda & Live Stream” tab where you’ll find the session schedule, a brief description of each session, and the featured speakers.
  • To join a live session, simply click “Video Stream” at the scheduled start time for each session to begin watching.  

Will closed captioning be available?

  • Yes, each session will include closed captioning option for an optimal and accessible experience. To enable this feature, click on the “CC” button under the livestream screen located on the bottom right of the to activate closed captioning. You may also select your preferred language.  

How do I ask questions during the session?

  • Both in-person and virtual guests will use the Slido application to ask questions or vote for another guest’s question during Seminar Day. No downloads or apps required, you can simply scan the unique QR code shown during each session. As a virtual guest, you also may use the Q&A tab in the WebEx platform.  

What other features are available on the WebEx platform?

  • The virtual event platform provides many engaging features for you to explore. One of the most important aspects of Seminar Day is networking. Even in hybrid events, you can still connect and chat with each other. View the “Attendees” tab to search for friends and colleagues. Guests must approve any connection request (think of it as a friend request) prior to starting a chat. You can view pending connections on the “Connections” tab, and all direct messages on the “Messages” tab. These menus are located on the left panel if using a desktop, or at the bottom on mobile devices.
  • You will find helpful Caltech and Caltech Alumni Association resources and quick links – from Techer Alumni Tours and the Caltech Alumni Portal to upcoming events and news. To view, visit the “Caltech” and “Alumni Resources” tabs in the platform.

Will recordings of each session be available for viewing post-event?

  • Yes, each session will be recorded and made available for future viewing. All session recordings will be posted to the Seminar Day website at alumni.caltech.edu/seminar-day.

Can I switch to in-person attendance?

  • In-person registrations closed on May 10 and are no longer available. But your virtual registration will grant you access throughout Seminar Day.

What are the participant guidelines for this event?  

  • Use the Honor Code as your guide for virtual your participation at Seminar Day. Be professional, considerate, and respectful to other guests and speakers. Please participate fully in the virtual experience and help make Seminar Day a success for fellow Techers and yourself.
  • CAA is dedicated to working toward a harassment-free community and conference experience for everyone, regardless of identity factors such as (but not limited to) sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, class, age, or faith.
  • Harassment may take a variety of forms and occur in a variety of environments, including in-person or online. Harassment is behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Individuals asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
  • If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, contact info@alumni.caltech.edu. Your report will be kept confidential and only shared with the Caltech staff who are addressing your report.

What is the Caltech Honor Code?

  • The Caltech Honor Code guides participation in Caltech Alumni Association events, programming, and digital marketing channels such as social media: No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community.

See the Seminar Day 2021 Videos

Thank you to all of the speakers, panelists and participants who made Seminar Day a success.

View recordings of each session below to learn of the cutting-edge investigations
from alumni and researchers across campus and JPL.

Find out how Caltech scientists and engineers are transforming science and society.

Welcome Messages

SATOSHI OHTAKE, PHD

Caltech degrees: BS ’00
Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Pfizer
Chair, Caltech Alumni Association Board of Directors

THOMAS F. ROSENBAUM, PHD

President, Caltech
Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics
Session I

The Supermassive Black Hole Story

Andrea Ghez, PhD (MS'89, PhD'92)

 
MS
 ’
89
PhD
 ’
92
 ’
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Professor of Astrophysics, UCLA
Director, UCLA Galactic Center Group

Hear 2020 Nobel Prize recipient Andrea Ghez (MS ’89, PhD ’92) discuss her groundbreaking research, including the discovery of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Ghez’s investigations of more than 3,000 stars that orbit the supermassive black hole, led to her renowned study, published in July 2019 by Science magazine, questioning Einstein’s theory of relativity. Even after this incredible accomplishment, Ghez is set on further breakthroughs. “Our understanding of how the universe works is still so incomplete,” she says. “The Nobel Prize is fabulous, but we still have a lot to learn.”

Session II

Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Meet Your Best Friend: AI

Imagine a world where your smartwatch diagnoses disease symptoms, or a text alerts you about an oncoming stroke. What if your home 3-D printer could create a skin patch to dispense your medication, or AI could read, analyze, and submit biodata to your healthcare provider 24/7? In this panel, leading faculty researchers and alumni experts will describe breakthroughs occurring at Caltech and with healthcare and pharmaceutical industry partners. Hear about the advances that lie ahead and the challenges that remain, such as data security. Find out how close we are to a new, tech-driven healthcare future.

Animashree (Anima) Anandkumar, PhD

Caltech degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Co-director, DOLCIT (Decision, Optimization, and Learning at the California Institute of Technology)
Director of Machine Learning Research, NVIDIA

Christie Canaria, PhD

Caltech degrees: 
PhD
 ’
08
 ’
 ’
Program Director, National Cancer Institute Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center
Vice Chair, Governance, Caltech Alumni Association Board of Directors

David Van Valen, PhD, MD

Caltech degrees: 
PhD
 ’
11
 ’
 ’
Assistant Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering
MODERATOR

SATOSHI OHTAKE, PHD

Caltech degrees: BS ’00
Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Pfizer
Chair, Caltech Alumni Association Board of Directors
Session III

Photoacoustic Imaging: From Organelles to Cancer Patients

David Zierler, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Director of the Caltech Heritage Project 

Lihong Wang, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Bren Professor of Medical Engineering and Electrical Engineering

Using a combination of light and sound, Lihong Wang is noninvasively peering deeper inside biological tissues than previously possible. Three-dimensional photoacoustic microscopy and functional photoacoustic computed tomography, technologies first reported by Wang, generate detailed color images of tumors and other structures inside the body. His novel imaging techniques have applications for medical screening, diagnosis, disease monitoring, surgical guidance, and more.

Session IV

Is There Life Beyond Earth?

Using clues from the ancient history of our planet and present-day environments on Earth’s ocean floors, panelists will lead an engaging discussion of the prospects for life throughout the Milky Way galaxy and how to carry out the search. Rove ancient lakebeds on Mars, explore the ocean under the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, and learn about the giant telescopes needed to search for life beyond our solar system.

Heather A. Knutson, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Professor of Planetary Science

Kevin Peter Hand, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Principal Investigator and Director, JPL Ocean Worlds Laboratory
Project Scientist, Europa Lander Mission Concept

Woodward (Woody) Fischer, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Professor of Geobiology
Associate Director, Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies
MODERATOR

Michael E. (Mike) Brown, PhD

Caltech Degrees: 
 ’
 ’
 ’
Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy
Terence D. Barr Leadership Chair, Center for Comparative Planetary Evolution
Director, Caltech Center for Comparative Planetary Evolution

EMCEE: PATT MORRISON, BA

Los Angeles Times Columnist and Television and Radio Host with six Emmys and a share of two Pulitzer Prizes; Best-Selling Author

RALPH AMOS, MPA

Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations
Executive Director, Caltech Alumni Association

THOMAS F. ROSENBAUM, PHD

President, Caltech
Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics

This event has concluded. Thank you to all attendees!

Scroll down for more information about session recordings.

David Ho (BS ’74)

Session I

SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

This presentation provided an overview of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus now termed SARS-CoV-2. Prospect for science to deliver therapeutic and prophylactic solutions was discussed as well.

David Ho (BS ’74)

Distinguished Alumnus and Caltech Trustee; Director, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center; Clyde and Helen Wu Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Azita Emami (left) and Katherine Bouman

Session II

Sensing to Intelligence: From the Human Body to Black Holes in Space

In this session, Caltech professors Azita Emami and Katherine Bouman discussed a holistic approach that brings together the two distinct fields of sensor technology and artificial intelligence through the co-design of sensors and algorithms. The aim is to create sensor networks that intelligently and autonomously process their own data and adapt their activity in real time based on what they detect, enabling transformative discoveries in areas ranging from neural signals in the human body to black holes in space.

Katherine Bouman

Assistant Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences and Electrical Engineering; Rosenberg Scholar

Azita Emami

Andrew and Peggy Cherng Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering; Investigator, Heritage Medical Research Institute; Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering

Michael Watkins

Session III

The Mars 2020 Mission and Robotic Exploration at JPL

Over the last 50 years, JPL spacecraft have visited every planet in our solar system and we have had continuous robotic presence on the surface of Mars for over 20 years. This presentation discussed the new Mars rover, Perseverance, and highlighted its science goals and current assembly in preparation for the upcoming July 2020 launch.

Michael Watkins

Vice President and Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Professor of Aerospace and Geophysics

Jean-Laurent Rosenthal (PhD ’88)

Session IV

Pandemics and the Economy; Lessons from History

Putting the COVID-19 pandemic in historical context helps underscore an unprecedented willingness to reduce economic activity to save lives. What are the consequences of this approach for the long term? Can history help us envision our post-COVID future?

Jean-Laurent Rosenthal (PhD ’88)

Rea A. and Lela G. Axline Professor of Business Economics; Ronald and Maxine Linde Leadership Chair, Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Also Featured

Thomas F. Rosenbaum

President, Caltech; Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics

Patt Morrison

Los Angeles Times Columnist and Television and Radio Host with six Emmys and a share of two Pulitzer Prizes; Best-Selling Author

Chris Bryant (BS ’95)

President, Caltech Alumni Association

Ralph Amos

Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations; Executive Director, Caltech Alumni Association