This presentation will provide a brief review of the scientific literature on the relationship among improvements in fitness, cognition, and brain health, particularly for older adults. The presentation will begin by describing what we know about these relationships from animal research and meta-analyses of human studies (some of which were conducted at the University of Illinois). The results of some of these studies, particularly those that focus on both cognition (e.g. aspects of memory attention, reasoning, etc.) and brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging will be briefly described. I will then describe the results of on-going longitudinal studies which are examining changes in cognition and brain function, and predictors of age associated neurodegenerative diseases in response to improvements in the aerobic fitness of reasonably healthy older adults. Finally, I’ll conclude by describing issues for future research as well as potential applications of what we have already learned.

Speaker details: Art Kramer was the Founding Director of the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health and Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University in Boston from 2016 to 2025.  He previously served as Senior VP for Research and Graduate Education at Northeastern University.  He also served as the Director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology and the Swanlund Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Illinois.   He received his Ph.D. in Cognitive/Experimental Psychology from the University of Illinois. Professor Kramer’s research projects have included topics in Aging, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Human Factors.  A major focus of his labs recent research has been the understanding and enhancement of cognitive and neural plasticity across the lifespan.  He is a former Associate Editor of Perception and Psychophysics and is currently a member of four editorial boards. Professor Kramer is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, a former member of the executive committee of the International Society of Attention and Performance, and a recipient of a NIH Ten Year MERIT Award. He has served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST), the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) committee on Cognitive Aging, the Chair of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) workshop on Understanding Pathways to Successful Aging: Behavioral and Social Factors Related to Alzheimer’s Disease, the Global Council on Brain Health, and a multitude of other national and international committees.  Professor Kramer’s research has been featured in a long list of print, radio and electronic media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, CBS Evening News, Today Show, National Public Radio and Saturday Night Live.     

This presentation will provide a brief review of the scientific literature on the relationship among improvements in fitness, cognition, and brain health, particularly for older adults. The presentation will begin by describing what we know about these relationships from animal research and meta-analyses of human studies (some of which were conducted at the University of Illinois). The results of some of these studies, particularly those that focus on both cognition (e.g. aspects of memory attention, reasoning, etc.) and brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging will be briefly described. I will then describe the results of on-going longitudinal studies which are examining changes in cognition and brain function, and predictors of age associated neurodegenerative diseases in response to improvements in the aerobic fitness of reasonably healthy older adults. Finally, I’ll conclude by describing issues for future research as well as potential applications of what we have already learned.

Speaker details: Art Kramer was the Founding Director of the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health and Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University in Boston from 2016 to 2025.  He previously served as Senior VP for Research and Graduate Education at Northeastern University.  He also served as the Director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology and the Swanlund Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Illinois.   He received his Ph.D. in Cognitive/Experimental Psychology from the University of Illinois. Professor Kramer’s research projects have included topics in Aging, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Human Factors.  A major focus of his labs recent research has been the understanding and enhancement of cognitive and neural plasticity across the lifespan.  He is a former Associate Editor of Perception and Psychophysics and is currently a member of four editorial boards. Professor Kramer is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, a former member of the executive committee of the International Society of Attention and Performance, and a recipient of a NIH Ten Year MERIT Award. He has served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST), the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) committee on Cognitive Aging, the Chair of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) workshop on Understanding Pathways to Successful Aging: Behavioral and Social Factors Related to Alzheimer’s Disease, the Global Council on Brain Health, and a multitude of other national and international committees.  Professor Kramer’s research has been featured in a long list of print, radio and electronic media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, CBS Evening News, Today Show, National Public Radio and Saturday Night Live.

Christmas Seals' origins had little to do with religion, everything to do with charitable support. They were once critical to the fight against a world-wide public health epidemic. Today we may see Christmas Seals as little more than decorative stamps received for a donation to the American Lung Association. So, let's explore their historical context, their noble purpose, and look at over a century of design reflecting social change. We will look at the seals of several countries. Throughout we will see artifacts, including rarities, from Christmas Seals' history, distribution, annual release, and seal collecting.

Speaker details: Allan Tuchman worked in Information Technology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, for 35 years. Since then he has had an ownership share of a local woodworking business, is a co-founder and officer of the Champaign Woodworkers Club, and teaches the CNC router. He and his wife enjoy travel to interesting places. His philatelic interests exposed him to the fascinating story of Christmas Seals.

OLLI Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RMBL) Presentations - Fall 2025

Location: All OLLI Rare Book & Manuscript Library Presentations will take place in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 346 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801

These FREE presentations are designated for OLLI members through our collaboration with the Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML). Space is limited and registration still required through your OLLI account online.

If you have questions regarding the presentation topic or content, email askacurator@library.illinois.edu or call 217-333-3777. 

Physicists describe the microscopic world using a weird theory called quantum mechanics. This year, 2025, the "International Year of Quantum Science and Technology," celebrates the 100th anniversary of scientists finally resolving long-standing contradictions between older theories of the physical world and what they actually saw. How did quantum theory begin, and how did it yield smartphones in just a century?

In this very non-technical talk Baym will describe how quantum mechanics came about, starting with physicists in the late nineteenth century trying to understand why hot metal in blacksmith shops glowed red (like a hot stove burner) and became more bluish when even hotter. Baym will then note crucial advances including Einstein's proposal that light comes in little bundles, and the evolving understanding of why atoms in a hot gas emit particular colors of light, culminating with the development of the quantum theory by the mid 1920's as the correct framework to describe and predict the microscopic world. Then we will touch on the often counterintuitive reality of quantum mechanics, such as light sometimes behaving as a particle, and particles sometimes acting like waves - to the strange idea of superposition, leading to the puzzle of Schrödinger's cat, simultaneously dead and alive.

Baym will then turn to how quantum theory began to be used to understand real materials, revolutionizing society within a century. Indeed, roughly one third of our gross domestic product is dependent on quantum mechanics, ranging from solid-state electronics including smartphones and computers, to medical applications such as MRI’s and lasers, to GPS systems, etc., and in the near future to spectacularly more powerful “quantum” computers. 

Speaker Details: Baym is a semi-retired Physics Professor at the University of Illinois. He studied at Brooklyn Technical High School, Cornell, and Harvard. He spent two years at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, then a year at UC Berkeley before joining Illinois.

His research spans low-temperature and high-pressure matter, ultracold atomic and nuclear physics, astrophysics, and the history of physics. He pioneered studies of pulsars, neutron stars, and ultradense matter, and now focuses on neutron stars and Big Bang neutrinos.

He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received the American Physics Society Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research, its Hans Bethe and Lars Onsager Prizes, and the Eugene Feenberg Memorial Medal.  

Physicists describe the microscopic world using a weird theory called quantum mechanics. This year, 2025, the "International Year of Quantum Science and Technology," celebrates the 100th anniversary of scientists finally resolving long-standing contradictions between older theories of the physical world and what they actually saw. How did quantum theory begin, and how did it yield smartphones in just a century?

In this very non-technical talk Baym will describe how quantum mechanics came about, starting with physicists in the late nineteenth century trying to understand why hot metal in blacksmith shops glowed red (like a hot stove burner) and became more bluish when even hotter. Baym will then note crucial advances including Einstein's proposal that light comes in little bundles, and the evolving understanding of why atoms in a hot gas emit particular colors of light, culminating with the development of the quantum theory by the mid 1920's as the correct framework to describe and predict the microscopic world. Then we will touch on the often counterintuitive reality of quantum mechanics, such as light sometimes behaving as a particle, and particles sometimes acting like waves - to the strange idea of superposition, leading to the puzzle of Schrödinger's cat, simultaneously dead and alive.

Baym will then turn to how quantum theory began to be used to understand real materials, revolutionizing society within a century. Indeed, roughly one third of our gross domestic product is dependent on quantum mechanics, ranging from solid-state electronics including smartphones and computers, to medical applications such as MRI’s and lasers, to GPS systems, etc., and in the near future to spectacularly more powerful “quantum” computers. 

Speaker Details: Baym is a semi-retired Physics Professor at the University of Illinois. He studied at Brooklyn Technical High School, Cornell, and Harvard. He spent two years at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, then a year at UC Berkeley before joining Illinois.

His research spans low-temperature and high-pressure matter, ultracold atomic and nuclear physics, astrophysics, and the history of physics. He pioneered studies of pulsars, neutron stars, and ultradense matter, and now focuses on neutron stars and Big Bang neutrinos.

He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received the American Physics Society Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research, its Hans Bethe and Lars Onsager Prizes, and the Eugene Feenberg Memorial Medal.