Dr. Frank Barnes

In this talk I will present some new results that have helped improve our understanding of the ways in which electric and magnetic fields can affect biological systems. It has been an open question for some time if cell phones can give you brain tumors or do power lines give your kids leukemia.  Data will be presented showing both increase and decrease in the growth rates of cancer cells for exposure to weak magnetic fields along with changes in radical and reactive oxygen concentrations. I will also present some data on why we do not see effects most of the time and some recent data indicating small increases in cancer rates for the heaviest users of cell phones.

Biography:

Frank S. Barnes is a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  Dr. Barnes conducts research in laser, fiber optics, microwave devices, and effects of electromagnetic fields on biological systems. He also teaches electronics and optical electronics, is a Fellow of the IEEE and AAAS and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Barnes was awarded the Bernard M. Gordon Prize from National Academy of Engineering for Innovations in Engineering Education 2004, IEEE Education Society 2003 Achievement Award, and 2002 Electrical and Computer Engineering Distinguished Educator Award from American Society of Engineering Education ECE Section.  Along with political scientist George Codding, Dr. Barnes co-founded the Interdisciplinary Telecom Program in 1971.