Open Lectures at TUC by Distinguished NASA and SciArt Exchange Scientists

On September 11, 12, and 13, 2023, the Technical University of Crete (TUC) has the honor of hosting two distinguished scientists, NASA Astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love and Neuroscientist, Space Life Scientist, and Executive Director of SciArt Exchange, Dr. Jancy McPhee, as part of its greater collaboration program developed with leading international and national institutions.

The objective is to promote TUC’s modern scientific achievements, to enhance its educational work, and to support its ongoing outreach and research integration with society. As an academic institution that nurtures the sciences of an Engineer, TUC ceaselessly seeks to connect cutting-edge research with practical applications in the environment and the daily lives of people in order to improve the overall quality of life.

The beginning of the new academic year 2023-2024 is marked by a series of events for the academic community, as well as for the broader community of Chania, with the active participation of two leading scientists who have made a significant contribution to humanity's space exploration efforts and, through it, to the better understanding of human nature and planet Earth.

The program of the scheduled lectures and events during 11-13 September 2023 is as follows (please note: all times are provided in Central European Time - CET time zone, which is one hour before, compared to the Greek time zone):

September 11, 2023 | Technical University of Crete

Event for the academic community | TUC Campus

09:00 CET - Presentation of research at the Technical University of Crete

Dr. Jancy McPhee and Dr. Stanley G. Love visit eleven selected university laboratories on TUC campus for a demonstration of research projects and discussions with the lab teams.

September 12, 2023 | Technical University of Crete

Event for the press and the media | "Manousos Manousakis" Auditorium, TUC Campus

09:00 CET - Press Conference

Event open to the public | "Manousos Manousakis" Auditorium, TUC Campus

10:00 CET - Open Lectures by Dr. Jancy McPhee and Dr. Stanley G. Love

Speaker: Dr. Jancy McPhee, Neuroscientist, Space Life Scientist, and Executive Director, SciArt Exchange

Lecture title: Exploring the Universe through Science, Technology, and the Arts

Summary: Neuroscientist, space life scientist, and science communicator Dr. Jancy McPhee will briefly discuss the exciting current developments in space exploration and their past and future value to humanity. After outlining the human challenges of space flight in the ambitious missions ahead, she will describe the power of bringing together science, technology, and the arts to creatively solve these challenges, and the potential role for everyone in the future of space. Her talk will touch upon her experiences with STEAM (science - technology - engineering - art - math) training and applications, as well as preparations for a career in space.

Speaker: NASA Astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love, Planetary Scientist, Deputy Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office’s Rapid Prototyping Laboratory

Lecture title: A Special Place in Space

Summary: In this presentation, planetary scientist and NASA astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love discusses the emotional connection with the Earth that many space travelers experience when seeing our planet from outside the atmosphere, then compares the Earth with other known planets to highlight how unique it really is. Following the presentation, Dr. Love welcomes questions from the audience on any topic related to space exploration, space science, and the human experience of space travel.

* The live streaming of the open lectures event will be available through the TUC website. The event will be recorded and photographed. Selected digital content will be displayed on the TUC website and its official channels. TUC will also promote the event on social media and through newsletters. For matters related to personal data, you can find information at the TUC personal data protection policy.

Event for the academic community | School of Architecture Conference Room, TUC Campus

14:00 CET - Roundtable Discussion

Dr. Jancy McPhee and Dr. Stanley G. Love discuss together with the Deans of the five Schools, lab directors and members of the TUC faculty.

September 13, 2023 | Technical University of Crete and Chania

Event for the academic community | School of Architecture Conference Room, TUC Campus

09:00 CET - Meeting with EURECA-PRO

Discussion between Dr. Jancy McPhee, Dr. Stanley G. Love and TUC faculty, members of the EURECA-PRO (European University on Responsible Consumption and Production) European University Alliance.

Event for the Experimental Middle School of Chania | City of Chania

11:00 CET - Meeting with Middle School Students

The students of the Experimental Middle School of Chania discuss with NASA Astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love.

Event open to the public | "Mikis Theodorakis" Theatre, Chania Old Port

19:00 CET - Open Lectures

Open Lectures by Dr. Jancy McPhee and Dr. Stanley G. Love at the Chaniartoon Festival.

Speaker: Dr Jancy McPhee, Neuroscientist, Space Life Scientist, and Executive Director, SciArt Exchange

Lecture title: Finding Your Superhero Self: Integrating the Arts with Space, Science and Technology

Speaker: NASA Astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love, Planetary Scientist, Deputy Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office’s Rapid Prototyping Laboratory

Lecture title: Space in Anime: Fantasy, Realism, and Everything In Between

About the guest scientists

Dr. Stanley G. Love holds a BSc in Physics from Harvey Mudd College and an MSc and PhD in Astronomy from the University of Washington. Selected as an astronaut in 1998, Love flew in space in 2008 on Space Shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122, a 13-day flight that delivered the ESA Columbus module to the Space Station. His duties included two spacewalks totaling over 15 hours of EVA time. Love served as Spacecraft Communicator (Capcom) for two dozen Shuttle and Station missions, and has been the crew representative for SLS, Orion, and Gateway. He has participated in numerous terrestrial space flight analog expeditions including two field seasons in Antarctica. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office’s Rapid Prototyping Laboratory developing cockpit displays and controls for Orion, Gateway, and lunar vehicles. He is also the lead Capcom for Artemis II, training with the crew and flight control team for the next human flight to the Moon. More information: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/love.pdf

Dr. Jancy McPhee has a BA in Neurobiology and Behavior from Cornell University and a PhD in Biophysics from Brandeis University. She was a cellular and molecular neuroscience researcher and lecturer in academia for 17 years. Currently, she works as the Associate Chief Scientist of the NASA Human Research Program where she develops space science strategies that span physiological disciplines, space missions, and international and commercial partners. Since 2010, she has also been developing motivating and novel ways to enhance space education and communication, foster science and technology innovation, and promote global collaboration to solve hard challenges in space and on Earth. Through her nonprofit, SciArt Exchange (www.SciArtExchange.net), her team offers a variety of global science-integrated-with-art activities and training to inspire and prepare the world for the future of space exploration. So far, the nonprofit programs have engaged over 15,000 participants in 68 countries, and over 4.5 million have viewed multi-media artwork displays and performances locally worldwide in person. More information: https://www.sciartex.net/sciarts-founder.html