2025 Family Weekend Acorn Talks
Saturday, September 27 – 11:15 a.m. – Noon

The Blip in Time We Call Human History

Dave Gammon, Ph.D., Professor in Biology

T.E. Powell, Jr. Professor

Location: Lakeside Meeting Room 212

Research in astronomy, geology, biology, anthropology, and other scientific disciplines has led to the conclusion that the Earth and its species are very very old. Families will take a deep dive into what we know about the science of the prehistoric past and how it makes us see ourselves differently. Take a sneak peek at what this professor plans to turn into a podcast series.

Pre-sleep Nutrition: A New Window of Opportunity?

Takudzwa “Titch” Madzima, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Exercise Science 

Japheth E. Rawls Chair for Undergraduate Research in Science

Location: Lakeside Meeting Room 213

Pre-sleep feeding, also often referred to as night-time eating, is defined as the consumption of nutrients (calories) within 30-60 minutes of going to sleep. Previous concerns about night-time eating has been largely anecdotal and based on the concept that eating late at night leads to weight gain. While the concern of weight gain is understandable as metabolic rate (the energy your body burns when it is at rest) is slower at night, it is important to note that metabolic rate does not stop overnight. Recently, this time period has been considered a new window of opportunity in nutrient timing research for health and performance. This seminar will discuss and examine the health impacts of eating food late at night including the effects on metabolism, appetite, weight loss, and recovery.

Digital Marketing & Consumer Behavior: How Brands Shape Our Everyday Choices

Smaraki Mohanty, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing

Doherty Emerging Professor for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Location: Lakeside Meeting Room 214

The Internet has transformed how consumers encounter brands, make decisions, and form lasting impressions. This interactive session will draw on recent research in digital marketing and consumer behavior to explore the forces that influence what people buy, click, and share. We’ll look at how strategies like search engine optimization, paid search, social media campaigns, and online reputation management intersect with consumer psychology, including authenticity, trust, and engagement.

Drawing from case studies and ongoing projects, we’ll analyze how brand communication works in today’s dynamic marketplace and discuss what research reveals about effective digital strategies. Families will gain an insider’s perspective into how companies leverage digital tools, data, and behavioral insights to reach consumers, and what this means for the future of marketing and decision-making.