USU's Science Unwrapped is 'Blinded by ScEYEnce' Friday, March 21

It’s a diagnosis people of a certain age dread as they undergo a routine eye exam. Some 20 million people in the United States are affected by age-related macular degeneration — known as AMD — a common, progressive eye disease.

“AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss for older adults,” says Utah State University biological engineer Elizabeth Vargis. “My lab is working toward improved therapies to slow the progression of this disease.”

Vargis, associate professor in USU’s Department of Biological Engineering, and her student Sophia Hessami, an undergraduate researcher and 2024 Goldwater Scholar, will present “Blinded by ScEYEnce” at USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program Friday, March 21. Their talk, which includes a discussion of Hessami’s undergrad research journey, begins at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Vargis and Hessami’s talk is the third presentation in Science Unwrapped’s spring 2025 series, ”Celebrate Undergrad Research,” which is presented in conjunction with Utah State’s 2025 Year of Undergraduate Research.

“We’re so excited to have Elizabeth and Sophia join us as we highlight undergraduate research,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “They’ll discuss their cutting-edge research and how they decided to pursue this field of study.”

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, follow the presentation. In addition, this spring’s series features research posters by USU undergraduates.

The March 21 talk will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website, within a week of the in-person event.

Remaining events of the Celebrate Undergrad Research series spring schedule include:

• Friday, March 21: “Blinded by scEYEnce,” USU biological engineers Elizabeth Vargis and Sophia Hessami.
• Friday, April 11: “Untangling Knot Theory,” USU mathematicians Matt Young and Seth Porter.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the Science Unwrapped at USU Facebook page.