Suds & Science

Ever thought that learning would be more fun with a cold drink in hand? We've got you covered! Suds & Science brings scientists face-to-face with the public at local neighborhood bars for a night of learning, drinking, and community that you won't want to miss!

Highlights:

• Fun and informative lectures from STEM professionals
• Lively discussions between scientists and audiences
• Connection with your community in a laid-back environment

Get your ticket today and join us at the next Suds & Science event!

Event topics:

Tuesday, January 20

Tentacle Tinder: How Cephalopods Decide When to Swipe Right

Cephalopods (the class of mollusks that includes octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses) are renowned for their complex cognitive abilities and for their remarkable capacities to rapidly alter their body patterns for camouflage and communication. But behind the scenes, things get even stranger. Nearly all cephalopod females mate with multiple males and can store sperm for weeks to months. That means each female carries a tiny archive of potential fathers. So the big question becomes: when everyone is competing for a spot in that archive, how do cephalopod females decide who to mate with, and can they control whose sperm ultimately fertilizes their eggs?

About the Speaker

Theodora is a PhD student in Marine Biology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Prior to starting at SIO, Theodora researched chronic reproductive pain conditions in New York, created marine science multimedia as a science communication intern at Point Reyes National Seashore, and studied cephalopod neuroethology as a research intern at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. Theodora currently studies the evolutionary and behavioral dynamics of female choice in cephalopods, with a focus on local California market squid. When she’s not doing research or underwater, Theodora can usually be found listening to or singing classical music.

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Tuesday, February 17

Not All Intelligence is Human 

Not all intelligence looks like a human brain. Long before humans built machines, evolution shaped nervous systems that could navigate darkness, coordinate without leaders, and control complex movement with remarkable efficiency. In this talk, I’ll explore how scientists and engineers learn from non-human nervous systems - from ants and bees and bats and octopuses - to inspire modern technologies. By looking beyond our own brains, we’ll see how different kinds of minds solve problems in surprising ways, and how these biological strategies are quietly shaping the tools we use every day. 

About the Speaker

Chiaki Santiago is a recent doctoral graduate from UC San Diego, earning her neurosciences graduate degree, investigating inhibitory hippocampal circuit activity during sleep. She is currently a Medical Writer at Precision Medicine Group, where she works at the intersection of science and communication, translating complex neurological concepts into clear, accessible writing. 

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Tuesday, March 17

Weathering Change: Life in the Face of a Changing Climate

Human activities have led to major alterations to the environment. Although we are only now coming to appreciate how, the effects of these changes have been felt by all living creatures for more than a century. In this talk, I will share three hot topics of research on how climate change affects us and the ecosystem we are embedded in. First, I will share how global warming is making us hotheaded, with potentially disastrous consequences for our society. Second, I will discuss how climate change is helping spread old diseases to new areas, and also leading to the emergence of never-before-seen pathogens. And finally, I’ll try to switch from doom to mood by telling you about how our jellyfish and cephalopod cousins might be coping with climate change. Come prepared to learn something new, “weather” you like it or not.

About the Speaker

 

Aalok Varma is a biologist and avid science communicator. Formally trained in neuroscience, he was awarded his PhD from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR), Bangalore. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Loren Looger’s lab at UC San Diego, where he’s trying to decode the mysteries of cephalopod biology. When not working in the lab, he spends his time reading books, playing tennis, swimming, or just being a couch potato. His blood is almost always caffeinated, yet sleep is his superpower. For more information, visit varmaalok22.github.io.

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