SLAC Public Lecture | Mercury Rising: The Toxicology of a Global Pollutant

Every day, we come in contact with many different chemicals that have the potential to impact our lives. Toxicology is a field of science that helps us understand the interactions between us, our environment, and these chemicals which are sometimes toxic. Heavy metals such as mercury are particularly interesting due to their toxicity to human health and their widespread environmental presence. X-ray experiments at facilities like the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource at SLAC can teach us the ways in which these harmful pollutants affect our everyday lives. This lecture will explore different areas of toxicology through case studies of mercury exposure in human and animal models. The discussion will include new insights into historic poisonings as well as other aspects relevant to human health and nutrition. The strength and versatility of synchrotron-based techniques allow us to delve into the sometimes dark, but always intriguing mysteries that the field of toxicology has to offer.

Join us at the Kavli Building or online. Registration is required if you plan to attend the lecture in person.

Site entry will be allowed starting at 6:30 p.m. Proceed directly to the Kavli Building to check in.

We will also be streaming the lecture live on our YouTube page. You do not need to register if you plan to watch online.

Click here for more information about the SLAC Public Lectures.

About the Speaker:

Ashley James is a postdoctoral fellow specializing in neurological diseases at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in toxicology. She later discovered synchrotron sciences and made the decision to pursue a PhD in toxicology, which she received from the University of Saskatchewan while raising three children. Her PhD research with synchrotron experts Professors Graham George and Ingrid Pickering, focused on using synchrotron techniques to examine the toxic effects and complex dynamics of mercury in both human and animal models. She is the winner of the 2023 Melvin P. Klein Scientific Development Award given by the SLAC X-ray science program. Ashley is passionate about the importance of scientific communication and a strong advocate for women in STEM fields.

Attend In Person:

The public lecture will be held in person at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, in the Kavli Auditorium in the Kavli Building (B51). Parking is free and can be found in front of the Science and User Support Building (B53). Doors open at 6:30 pm. The lecture will start promptly at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. There will be opportunities to chat with the scientists following the event. Registration is required if you plan to attend the lecture in person. The deadline to register is Wednesday, March 22, 2024.

In order for SLAC to provide a safe environment for the public and our employees, and expedite access to the event, no handbags larger than 12"x6"x12" or backpacks will be allowed inside the venue. Exceptions to this policy will be made for all medically necessary items after proper inspection and for SLAC-badged staff.

COVID-19 safety protocols:

SLAC’s current COVID-19 safety protocols for visitors attending an on site event include 1) wearing of a mask is recommended 2) social distance when possible 3) if you are feeling sick, please stay home.

By entering SLAC, you attest that you are not experiencing any COVID-19, flu, or cold-like symptoms. If you are sneezing, coughing, have a fever, or are experiencing any other such symptoms, stay at home and do not attend the public lecture in person; consider viewing the lecture online instead. This is for the safety of our staff and visitors.

To join the public lecture in person, you are required to follow all protocols and instructions from SLAC staff. We will provide updates to this event page if there are any changes to SLAC’s COVID-19 safety protocols.