Dean's Seminar Series

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Part lecture, part performance – this presentation will introduce the audience to one of the most famous forebears of drag performance the world has ever forgotten; Mr. Julian Eltinge. Often referred to as one of the most beautiful women in the world, Mr. Eltinge was not only the preeminent female illusionist of his time, but also a fascinating dichotomy in public persona vs. private life. At the start of the 20th century, when Mr. Eltinge reigned, while there was tolerance for female illusionists, it only went so far as it was kept on the stage. The mixing of performative female illusion and the private life of an “invert” (common vernacular for homosexual at the time) destroyed many a career – therefore, Mr. Eltinge had to carefully control both sides of his persona. This ability to serve the full female illusion on stage while maintaining his public persona of a straight man doing manly things off stage allowed Mr. Eltinge to create an empire of beauty products, women’s magazines, films, stage spectacles, and much more. Yet, because of this tight image control coupled with the harsh treatment of anyone perceived as different at the time, we are left wondering if we knew him at all. Or if he was ever able to be his true self. This presentation will cover elements known of his life as well as speculate about what his life might have been like had he been able to live his perceived truth fully in the light as his place in history would simply not allow.

Abstract:

Lead is a toxic metal that remains a public health concern long after its use has ended. For much of the twentieth century, lead was widely used in gasoline and household paint. Although these products have been banned for decades, lead does not simply disappear. Once deposited, it remains in soil for many years, creating a legacy of contamination in neighborhoods, particularly around older homes and roadways.

This presentation will share findings from a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) investigating lead levels in residential soils. Students explored whether soil lead concentrations are related to factors such as the age of a home, its location, and whether soil samples were collected from front yards or backyards. The study highlights how decisions made decades ago continue to affect environmental health today.

The presentation will also discuss ongoing research focused on cortisol, commonly known as the "stress hormone." Persistent elevation of cortisol has been associated with a range of health concerns, making accurate and sensitive monitoring increasingly important. This work explores the use of gold nanostructures on electrode surfaces to develop a highly sensitive detection method for cortisol, with the long-term goal of improving health monitoring and early disease detection

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