LIGHT & HUMAN HEALTH
Friday, October 26, 2012 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Introduction:
Derek Porter, Associate Professor and Director, MFA Lighting Design, Parsons

Presenters:
George Brainard PhD MD, Professor, Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Neurology
Matthew Cobham, Philips Lighting Applications
Moderator: Craig Bernecker PhD, Associate Professor, MFA Lighting Design, Parsons

This conversation, bringing together experts from higher education and industry leader Philips Lighting examines the subject of human health and well-being and its influences from light in educational and corporate work space.

Dr. Brainard has directed Thomas Jefferson University’s Light Research Program since 1984. This program’s research studies the effects of light on neuroendocrine physiology and circadian regulation in humans. Using the techniques of photobiology, radioimmunoassay, and performance testing, this group has documented how various visible and nonvisible light sources influence both hormonal balance and behavior. Current studies include elucidating the action spectrum of melatonin regulation, investigating the phase shifting capacities of light, studying the influence of light on tumor progression, and testing new light treatment devices for winter depression.

Matthew Cobham is manager of the lighting application support team consisting of 20 specialists. The team plays a key role in providing support to architects, designers, engineers and anyone who requires technical backup in their lighting project. He holds an Masters in light and lighting from The Bartlett School of Architecture, London.

Craig A. Bernecker is founder and Director of The Lighting Education Institute , Philadelphia, PA. From 1981 to 2001 he taught lighting fundamentals, electrical systems, environmental controls, and architectural lighting studies in the Department of Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Bernecker is the past President and a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, a United States representative and Board Member of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Lighting Research Institute . He has published extensively in journals inluding Lighting Design+Application, Lighting Research and Technology

LOCATION:
Lang Café, Eugene Lang Building, 65 West 11th Street, ground floor (map)
(enter at 66 West 12th Street)