Suter Science Seminars
Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights.
Suter Seminars include the following:
- Science Research Seminars- explore how research questions are addressed, data collected, and inferences formed
- STEM Professional Seminars- EMU alumni share the story of their professional journey and discuss the nature of their profession
- Science and Humanities Seminars- explore connections between science, faith, social issues, and other topics from the humanities.
Suter Science Seminar presentations are made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter Endowment in Biology and the co-sponsorship of supporting programs.
Seminars are free and open to the public.
When and where
This year, traditional Suter Science Seminars will take place on Fridays from 10:15 to 11:15 am, in room 106 in the Suter Science Center.
In addition, we welcome several EMU faculty Sabbatical Spotlights to our series, which will take place on Tuesdays from 12:10 to 1 pm, in the West Dining Room - bring your own lunch! The West Dining Room is located in the lower level of the Northlawn building.
For details about each seminar, click the seminar titles in the list below. Seminars for 2025-26 are still being finalized; complete details will be published as they become available.
Seminar videos:
When permission is granted, videos of past seminars are made available for student access after the event. If you have a valid EMU ID, you can log in here to view the videos.
Fall 2025 Seminars
Friday, September 19 @ 10:15 a.m. SSC106
Jennifer K. Peterson, PhD - Assistant Professor of Medical Entomology, University
of Delaware
Friday, October 3 @ 10:15 a.m. SSC106
From Plant Genes to Retinal Neurons: A Genomic Journey in Research and Teaching
Ray Enke, PhD - Professor of Biology, James Madison University
Friday, November 14 @ 10:15 a.m. SSC106
Kelsey Reider, PhD - Assistant Professor of Biology, James Madison University
Spring 2026 Seminars
Sabbatical Spotlight: Tuesday, January 27 @ 12:10 p.m. West Dining Room
James M. Yoder, PhD - Professor of Biology, Eastern Mennonite University
Friday, February 20 @ 10:15 a.m. SSC106
Action Research: Water Insecurity, Women’s Health, and Socio-Environmental Justice
Paula Skye Tallman, PhD - Carolyn B. Farrell Endowed Professor in Women and Leadership,
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Loyola University Chicago
Friday, March 13 @ 10:15 a.m. SSC106
Checking In: Updates from a Surgeon in Training
Grayson Mast '18, MD, RES - General Surgery Resident, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia
Health Sciences, Old Dominion University
Sabbatical Spotlight: Tuesday, March 24 @ 12:10 p.m. West Dining Room
Jeffrey M. Copeland, PhD - Professor of Biology, Eastern Mennonite University
About our facility
Suter Science Center 106 Accessibility
The seminar room features terraced seating, with entrances on the upper and lower levels. Options to aid accessibility include:
- Several seats on the top level (the back of the room), space to accommodate a wheelchair
- Space on the floor level (the front of the room ) for additional chairs or wheelchairs
- The stairs of the lower terraces are equipped with handrails
- Elevator available for access from one level to the other
- High-quality sound and projection (no individual hearing assistance devices)
Parking
The Suter Science Center is locatd at 1194 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 - with parking in the lot on the south side of the building, or across the street at Hartzler Library.
Off campus guests should obtain a free parking permit from the Campus Safety and Security Office. Call 540-432-4396, or visit room 123 in the Campus Center building, located at 1200 Park Road (accessible from Smith Ave and the Lehman Auditorium parking lot).
