ASU Health Futures Center   

Valley fever is a fungal infection that is highly prevalent in Maricopa County. In this lecture, ASU’s Dr. Douglas Lake, professor in the School of Life Sciences, will cover the fungus that causes Valley fever, where it grows, how people and animals become infected, its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Fleeing religious persecution in Europe, Jews first arrived in the New World in the 17th century and have since built vibrant and influential communities throughout the Western Hemisphere. This highly visual presentation by leading travel journalist Dan Fellner will take us to historic synagogues in the Caribbean, South America, and the United States, including three of the oldest Jewish congregations in the U.S., all of which received letters from President George Washington affirming religious freedom in America. From Charleston to Curaçao, and Alaska to Argentina, we’ll explore the survival and resilience of Jewish life in places you might least expect to find it.

Focusing on the state birds of the area west of the Mississippi, Kathe Anderson, a community scientist and conservation educator, explores what a state bird should be, along with the state nickname and other quirky state symbols of the ‘wilder’ West. Find out why the California gull is Utah’s state bird, which bird is shared by at least five states, and which state also has a state raptor.

The ancient Kingdom of Morocco has a fascinating history, beautiful and historic cities, a mix of cultures, remarkable artistic and architectural achievements, fantastic food, friendly people, and an incredible natural setting of mountains, deserts, and Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches. It is an easy and enjoyable place to visit and explore. This session will include an overview of the Kingdom of Morocco and a travelogue showcasing its wonders. Morocco is well worth the time and energy. Scottsdale even has a long-standing sister city relationship with Marrakech, with regular cultural and community activities. Come and explore!

Join Dr. Hendrickson (an erstwhile quantum mechanic) for a journey into the strange world of quantum physics. This branch of modern physics focuses on light and very small particles, which behave very differently from familiar, macroscopic objects. This is not a class in metaphysics (the philosophical study of time and space) nor will we cover quantum mechanics, the mathematical, how-to side of quantum theory. Instead, we’ll be tourists admiring the view, with no prerequisite knowledge of physics or math required.

Cancer has long been one of the most feared diagnoses, and with good reason – it remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. For many years, the disease was shrouded in mystery, leaving doctors and scientists searching for answers. Today, that picture has changed. We now understand the biological hallmarks that distinguish cancer from normal cell behavior and have identified many of its causes. In this class, Dr. Joshua LaBaer will introduce the fundamentals of cancer: what it is, how our understanding has evolved, and – most importantly – the encouraging ways in which science and medicine are making progress in the fight against it.

Looking for a cool summer getaway? Perhaps you’ve already cruised to Alaska but want a more authentic, less crowded experience. Expedition cruising takes you to places the big ships can’t reach – small villages inhabited by Indigenous people, tidewater glaciers, remote fjords, and Alaska’s abundant wildlife in its natural habitat. Instructor Dan Fellner, a veteran travel journalist and photographer, has written extensively about Alaska and cruise destinations around the world. Join him for an insider’s look at exploring Alaska the expedition way.

Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning – arthropods are the most diverse and numerous group of animals on the planet. From scorching deserts to the icy edges of Antarctica, they’ve conquered nearly every habitat on Earth. Though some people are uneasy around these creatures – especially the creepy, crawly, or stinging ones – they are essential to the health of ecosystems everywhere. In this presentation, we’ll take a closer look at the fascinating world of arthropods and explore the vital roles they play in the unique environment of the Sonoran Desert. A field study for the second session of this class will take place at McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Gateway Trailhead. The address and meeting location will be provided to registered members during the first week of class. Duration: 2 hours; Distance: 1 mile. ADA compliant.

This class examines the ideology and practice of slavery in late medieval Italian cities such as Venice and Genoa. ASU professor Dr. Hannah Barker will discuss the laws that defined slave status, the demographics of the enslaved population, the types of labor associated with slavery, and some of the consequences of this practice for medieval Italian society.

In this thought-provoking lecture on science versus religion, Dr. David Pearson, a retired research professor from ASU’s School of Life Sciences, explores how the divide between science and religion developed – and whether it is sustained only by extremists on each side or if common ground exists. Dr. Pearson will trace the history of science and examine how its role evolved into the modern era. He will also discuss how influences from Judeo-Christian traditions contributed to the rise of modern science. Does the scientific method preclude faith, or must religion reject science? Can a scientist believe in God – and if so, how? Join the discussion as we explore these enduring questions and invite new ones of your own.

Discover the history behind the Christian proclamation of the Nicene Creed – a unifying statement of faith for Christians worldwide. Pastor Matt Knopf will explore the background of the creed’s establishment and creation, tracing the events of the historic Council of Nicaea under Emperor Constantine. You’ll also learn about the archaeological excavations currently underway in the ancient city of Nicaea, which offer new insight into this pivotal moment in Christian history. Join us for a fascinating exploration of one of the most significant developments in Christian proclamation.

Join Emerita Professor Dr. Billi Enz for an interactive session exploring the components of executive function (EF) – including attention span, working memory, planning, mental flexibility, physical inhibition, and emotional regulation (self-control). The discussion will examine how and when EF skills develop, as well as strategies for maintaining these essential brain functions throughout life. Practical tips for preserving memory and enhancing problem-solving abilities will also be demonstrated.

This presentation by Captain Barney Rubel, USN (Ret.), Professor Emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College, explores the geography and geometry of American security using world maps and Venn diagrams. It examines the relationship between the world’s oceans and U.S. security interests, linking maritime strategy to the broader framework of national security strategy. The session also reviews major theories of geopolitics, key provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and foundational statements of U.S. security strategy.

Following Presidents’ Day, we will explore how to understand the office of the presidency in 2026. Presidential power is often associated only with post–World War II America – but is this accurate? We will examine the differences between executive authority in foreign policy and domestic policy, and consider how a president’s ability to act is influenced by party support. Midterm elections are often viewed as a referendum on the presidency. In this election year, we will also ask whether presidential campaigns have always been long in America, how campaigning tactics have changed since the founding generation, and whether partisanship and gridlock are unique to modern history. Join us for this timely discussion, which uses presidents from various periods to deepen our understanding of America’s – and the world’s – most powerful office.

This class will explore how and why the press became a protected “business” and examine the early relationship between the Founders and the media. We will discuss Presidents and the media in wartime – how presidents have “used” the press, from party newspapers to radio, television, and now digital platforms. The class will also cover the rise of right-wing media in the 1980s and how the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine enabled Rush Limbaugh and his acolytes to dominate the airwaves. Additionally, we will investigate how Twitter (now X) and other online platforms have influenced presidential communication. Finally, we will examine current threats to press protections and how the courts are responding.

Join McDowell Sonoran Conservancy docent and former executive director of the MSC, Mike Nolan, as he explains, through the eyes of a geologist, the “deep” history of the Valley of the Sun. The rocks and landscape around Phoenix reflect a long and complex geological history dating back more than 1.5 billion years. From ancient continental collisions to more recent volcanic activity, the physical world around us is the result of our geological past. This lecture will explore how geological forces acting on a continental scale created the present-day landscape and shaped the rocks exposed in the mountains and landforms of the region.

This class is a journey that will teach you how to change the way your brain responds to stress. It will provide education so that you understand why stress can alter both mental and physical health and will teach you how to reduce the effect of stress on your mental and physical health and longevity. This class is intended for healthy individuals who will benefit from increased stress-coping skills, and for individuals with diseases where stress coping can promote an enhanced sense of wellbeing and possibly influence the course of disease.

Why do some movies fill your entire TV screen while others leave black bars? Why are filmmakers like Christopher Nolan embracing IMAX – a format once reserved for natural history museums? And whatever happened to 3D – was it a fad, or a future that never quite arrived? This lively, visually rich class traces how the “shape” of movies has evolved from early Hollywood to the present day. We’ll explore why studios pushed widescreen technologies in the 1950s, how letterboxing and pan-and-scan transformed home viewing, and why directors like Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson are reviving vintage formats such as 70mm and VistaVision. By the end, you’ll see movies with new eyes, understanding the artistic, technological, and even economic choices behind what fills, or doesn't fill, the frame.

What is the definition of a “survivor,” and what were the common denominators for almost all survivors? Certainly, fear, food insecurity/starvation, and trauma. However, it would be erroneous to paint all survivors with the same brush—each experience is unique. This diversity is shaped by pre-war, war, and post-war factors, including age, geography, socio-economic status, family circumstances, and the wide range of wartime experiences. Post-war experiences also had a significant impact on survivors. This presentation includes examples from the speaker’s family, among others.

From the top of Mt. Denali to the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska is a place of raw natural beauty and power, home to glaciers, tundra, caribou, and both polar and grizzly bears. Alaska also has a colorful political history that began as Seward’s Folly, progressed to a front line of the 20th-century Cold War, and today serves as a stage where the entire climate change debate plays out on a landscape rapidly experiencing the warming effects of fossil fuel combustion – while also being developed for the extraction of those same fuels. This class will explore both the marvels of nature and the foibles of our own species as they have shaped the largest and northernmost state in the union.

This class provides an overview of Arizona Tribal water law and policy and its connection to Federal Indian Policy and history. It will examine where Arizona Tribes currently stand in securing their water rights within the state and across the Colorado River Basin, as well as emerging issues related to protecting those rights. Cora Tso, a research fellow, analyzes and develops recommendations on the water interests of Tribal Nations, collaborating with Tribal leadership, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Grand narratives of global history often emphasize human movement across the Atlantic – when they consider oceans at all. Yet the Pacific Ocean has long been a vital arena of human activity, rich in stories of migration, cultural exchange, and ecological transformation. In this engaging talk, Dr. Toby Harper presents the Pacific not merely as a backdrop but as a central force in shaping global history. Together, we’ll explore how the Pacific has connected peoples, plants, animals, ideas, and artistic traditions across vast distances – revealing a world history that is deeper, broader, and more interconnected than the familiar Atlantic-centered view.

Italy's most populous and economically powerful regions, with a legacy rooted in a long history of independence, trade, and industry, tell a story of division and unification, shaped by Roman roads and papal influence. These regions are now powerhouses of culture, learning, and culinary excellence. The cuisine of Northern Italy is distinctly different from that of the South, often emphasizing butter, cream, rice, and polenta rather than the South’s olive oil- and tomato-based fare. Heartier flavors reflect the cooler climate and influences from neighboring countries. Northern Italy is considered the country’s “culinary capital” – home to balsamic vinegar, focaccia, pesto, Parmigiano–Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, truffles, and many of Italy’s finest wines.

Nature journaling is a practice that blends observation, curiosity, reflection, and creativity to deepen our connection with the natural world. Spending time in nature offers numerous physical and psychological benefits, and journaling enhances these effects by encouraging mindfulness and intentional engagement. In this two-part class – Friday in the classroom and Saturday in the field – participants will learn what nature journaling is, its purpose, and the benefits it provides. You will explore a variety of observational techniques to record details about the natural environment, including plants, animals, geologic landscapes, and weather. Through hands-on exercises, you will test out different journaling methods, such as drawing, labeling, mapping, and descriptive writing, discovering which approaches resonate most with your own style. In addition to recording observations, you will reflect on personal experiences in nature, deepening your awareness and appreciation of the world around you. The goal is not to become an expert artist or naturalist, but to cultivate a sustained practice of curiosity and wonder. By the end of the course, you will have the tools to slow down, notice more, and create a meaningful, mindful connection with your environment. Nature walk will be at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.

We are living through a moment of extraordinary transformation—one shaped by artificial intelligence, global connectivity, and rapid technological change. In this engaging keynote, ASU CIO Lev Gonick invites us to explore how we might navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era with curiosity, purpose, and wisdom. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of education, innovation, and public service, Lev will offer a big-picture perspective on where AI is taking us, why it matters, and how lifelong learners of all ages have a vital role to play. This talk sets the tone for a dynamic week of conversation and discovery.

Dutch still-life painters were renowned for showcasing their skill in rendering textures and surfaces with detailed, realistic light effects. Their still-life paintings often featured various types of food artfully arranged on tables alongside silverware, pots, and dishes. They employed specific paints, pigments, and techniques to achieve these effects. In this class, we will explore these techniques and study the work of notable Dutch Baroque still-life painters. You will also have the opportunity to create one or more paintings reflecting the style and characteristics of these artists. This is a studio art class. A materials list will be provided before the start of class.

Musculoskeletal disease is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, as well as degenerative disc disease, are the major conditions that result in musculoskeletal disability. Diagnosing these conditions often involves complex imaging modalities, including X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). This class, led by Dr. Rebecca Wachs, Associate Professor in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, will explore how these imaging modalities work and how they are used alongside other information to make diagnoses. Current research into imaging will also be discussed, highlighting potential future modalities. Participants will gain a better understanding of how imaging is used to diagnose musculoskeletal diseases and what the future of imaging may hold.

Our life experiences leave lasting marks – not just in our memories, but deep within our biology. In this class, Dr. Candace Lewis, a neuroscientist at ASU, will explore how stress, connection, and even powerful therapeutic experiences can influence the brain and the tiny chemical tags on our DNA that help control how genes are expressed. This emerging field, known as epigenetics, reveals that our biology is not fixed – it is responsive, resilient, and capable of change throughout our lives. Dr. Lewis will also discuss her research on how new treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, may help people heal from trauma and depression by promoting epigenome changes that underlie the brain’s ability to adapt. The talk will be uplifting, easy to understand, and focused on how science is uncovering the biological roots of renewal and emotional well-being.

Arizona-based artist Jana Peterson creates striking images that range from earthy abstractions and portraiture to futuristic galactic visions. Coming from a family of artists and teachers, she holds an M.A. in Art Education from A.S.U. and has been teaching and painting for over 30 years. Jana is a professional painter with the soul of Matisse – her work is dramatic, vivid, and bold, merging art and technology. Peterson is joining us to celebrate her works on display – and to have a little fun making art with us! We’ll be painting "Bryggen" (the dock), a historic harbor district in Bergen, one of Norway’s oldest port cities on the west coast and a center for Hanseatic trade. Bryggen has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.

Stand up for your rights! Your high school civics teacher, Glenn Beck, and Bob Marley all urge you to stand up for your rights – but what are they? The original Constitution lists very few. Although the Bill of Rights adds several, many rights – such as the right to vote and public education – were never included by the framers. You might think of the Ninth Amendment: all those rights not listed, we still get to keep, right? The problem is, as Justice Robert H. Jackson quipped, “[T]he Ninth Amendment rights which are not to be disturbed by the Federal Government are still a mystery to me.” This presentation examines the “mystery” of what rights are, their origins, and how we balance them in law and society.