York U, Markham Public Library wraps up Scholars Hub speakers series

York University and Markham Public Library will wrap up the five-part Scholars Hub speakers series on June 8, with a presentation on “How We See in 3-D”.

The inaugural series titled “How Your Brain Lives, Works…And Dies: Neuroscience in the Modern World” launched in February, and brought some of York’s top academic minds to York Region to discuss topics around neuroscience.

Laurie Wilcox

York Professor Laurie Wilcox will present the final installment of the series, and will discuss how we use 3-D depth perception in many ways in our daily lives.

Every time we catch a ball, walk down the stairs, thread a needle or watch a 3-D movie, we rely on this ability. In this presentation, Wilcox will review the information the brain uses to interpret depth and distance in the world around us, and how we see depth in simulations of that world (in pictures and in 3-D film).

Wilcox is currently a professor of psychology and biology at York University and a member of the Centre for Vision Research. Her systems neuroscience research largely uses psychophysics to study binocular vision and depth perception. Wilcox also collaborates with partners in the film and displays industry.

The Scholars Hub Speaker series takes place at the Markham Village Branch, located at 6031 Highway 7. The talk is from 7 to 8:30pm, and for added convenience, childcare is provided.

The unique partnership is part of York University’s goals of community engagement and reputation-building, with a unique collaboration that invites alumni, students and their families, and the public to engage in meaningful talks and discussions on the fascination of the human brain.

Space for each talk is limited.

To RSVP and for more details visit www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–markham/markham-scholars-hub/?mode=search.

Previous presentations have included:
• Derek Wilson (chemistry), “When Proteins Go Rogue: The Molecular Origins of Neurodegenerative Disease”
• Chris Bergevin (biological physics), “Sensing the World Around Us”
• Denise Henriques (kinesiology and health science), “Your Brain in Action”
•  Georg Zoidl (biology/psychology), “The Beautiful Brain: How Do We See the World?”