Joint Seminar of IMGA and SEGH
Speaker: Prof. Chaosheng Zhang, University of Galway, Ireland
Date: April 17, 2026.
Time: 14:00, Dublin/London Summertime (GMT+1)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://universityofgalway-ie.zoom.us/j/93011577680
Zoom Meeting ID: 930 1157 7680 (no passcode)
This seminar is jointly organised by International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) and Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH). Both IMGA and SEGH are affiliated organisations of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
Open to the public: All are welcome!
Speaker Biography:
Prof. Chaosheng Zhang is a Professor of Geography at the University of Galway, where he teaches courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Physical Geography. His academic expertise spans GIS, environmental geochemistry, and the emerging field of Medical Geology. His research centres on the spatial analysis of environmental variables, with a particular focus on the distribution of metals and nutrients in soils. By integrating GIS, geostatistics, spatial statistical methods, and machine learning, Prof. Zhang identifies environmental hotspots and quantifies spatial heterogeneity in soil properties. This work provides a scientific foundation for enhanced environmental management, mineral exploration, precision agriculture, and public health applications. Prof. Zhang is Chair of International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) (2023- present) and Past President of Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH) (2015-2017).
Seminar Summary:
Photography can be seen as more than just the act of taking pictures or documenting daily life. It is a creative and technical pursuit that intersects deeply with science and technology. While the artistic side of photography is often celebrated, the scientific challenges involved in capturing compelling images are less frequently explored. This talk aims to highlight the scientific principles that underpin photography, focusing on moon and aurora photography to inspire interest in scientific inquiry.
In moon photography, beyond mastering basic techniques, success often hinges on being in the right place at the right time. A solid understanding of the science behind moonrise and moonset times, directional positioning, weather patterns, wind conditions, and tidal cycles is crucial. These scientific elements support the artistic goals of moon photography, which include capturing beauty and tranquillity, showcasing landmarks, and illustrating cultural or natural events. Creativity in this field is often driven by thoughtful use of perspective.
Aurora photography has surged in popularity on social media in recent years, a trend closely linked to the current peak of the Sun’s 25th cycle. Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with molecules in Earth’s atmosphere, typically triggered by solar flares from sunspot regions. Accurate prediction of auroral displays requires a strong grasp of solar monitoring techniques and the underlying space weather science, which is explained in this talk.