Science Cafe

The Science Cafe is our monthly seminar series, during which we hold relaxed discussions of popular science topics. These talks are free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by The Ohio State University Libraries.

Upcoming Science Cafe: The unbearable lightness of being (squishy): an introduction to ctenophorology

Our next Science Cafe is at 6:30pm on April 7th:

The unbearable lightness of being (squishy): an introduction to ctenophorology

Register to Attend

Ctenophores are a group of gelatinous marine invertebrates whose outwardly “simple” physiology belies a host of intriguing and impressive adaptations. In this presentation, I will give a broad overview of the phylum, highlighting a few areas of particular interest to my research, including swimming biomechanics, DNA metabarcoding studies of ctenophore diet, and the unique glue cells called “colloblasts” that they use to ensnare their prey. I will also discuss the immense diversity of ctenophore body plans and lifestyles, highlighting the many yet-unknown aspects of this fascinating animal group.

About our Speaker:  

James Townsend, Postdoctoral researcher – Providence College/Marine Biological Laboratory

Dr. Townsend is a marine biophysicist specializing in the physiology and ecology of ctenophores, a group of enigmatic, jellyfish-like animals found throughout the world’s oceans. His current research is focused on developing techniques to study the diet of ctenophores living in the open ocean using DNA metabarcoding.

Our Sciences Cafes are sponsored by:

“How to Lie with Maps” – Science Café on March 3rd

Join Sigma Xi and University Libraries for our next public science lecture Science Café!

Where: Online via ZOOM, register HERE 

When: March 3rd 6:30pm EST

Title: How to Lie with Maps 

 Summary:  

Maps are an effective form of communication: they use visualization to engage the audience and convey complex ideas in an accessible manner. As such, maps have been abused to spread misleading information for political purposes. This talk will present a few ways that maps are being abused with a range of examples from the past elections to national propaganda. It will conclude with approaches to fact-checking and detecting “lies” in maps.

About our Speaker:  Huyen Le, OSU Department of Geography

Huyen Le is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at OSU. Her research focuses on urban mobility, environment and health impacts of everyday transportation. She teaches courses in geographic information system and transportation.

 

Sponsors:

Sigma Xi – The Ohio State University Chapter
The Ohio State University Libraries

The Next Science Cafe is April 3rd

Surviving South African Apartheid

April 3, 2019  –  6:30 PM

Research Commons – 3rd Floor, 18th Avenue Library

 

Professor McKee lived in South Africa from 1986 to 1996, a time period spanning a ‘state of emergency’ to the end of apartheid and the beginning of a true democracy. His paleoanthropological research led him to ‘homelands’ created by ‘grand apartheid,’ where he got to know local customs and ways of life. There he witnessed the true costs of racism and bigotry, but also learned the resilience of the human spirit. This presentation is an anthropological look at apartheid, told through personal experience.

About our speaker:

Jeffrey K McKee, Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University

Professor McKee got his BA degree from Miami University and his MA and PhD from Washington University (St. Louis). He then spent a decade teaching at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School (Johannesburg,South Africa) and leading excavations at the early hominin fossil sites of Taung and Makapansgat. He returned to Ohio in 1996, conducting research on paleoecology, modeling of evolutionary processes, and contemporary biodiversity and demography. He is now learning to play bass guitar.

Sponsors:

Sigma Xi – The Ohio State University Chapter
The Ohio State University Libraries

 

E-cigarettes: Not a lucky Strike

Ohio State Sigma Xi and the Ohio State University Libraries sponsor our OSU Science Cafe. These events represent a grassroots movement that exist all over the world. They take place in casual settings, are open to everyone, and feature an engaging conversation with a scientist about a particular topic. More infortmation is at: go.osu.edu/osusciencecafe

Our next science cafe is on “E-cigarettes: Not a lucky strike” on Feb 6th at 6:30pm in the Research Commons, 18th Avenue Library
Despite having been introduced ten years ago, little is known of the impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) on human health. ENDS usage is rapidly rising among adolescents and young adults, partially due to a perception that ENDS are safer than cigarettes. The CDC recently reported that 20.4 million individuals have tried ENDS at least once, and that 2.5 million children have used the products as well. This talk will focus on the effects of e-cigarettes on oral health.

The speaker is: Purnima Kumar, Professor of Periodontology, College of Dentistry About our speaker:

Dr. Purnima Kumar is a Professor of Periodontology at The Ohio State University. She received her dental degree from Annamalai University in India and Masters in Periodontology and PhD in Molecular Microbiology from The Ohio State University. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Kumar has practiced and taught periodontology in India, United Arab Emirates and the USA. She maintains an active research that is funded through the NIH, NCI and industry.

Photos from the October Science Cafe

On October 3rd, The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi and Ohio State University Libraries hosted a seminar at our monthly “Science Cafe” on the 3rd Floor of the 18th Avenue Library in the Research Commons. Our speaker was Dr. Marie-Catherine de Marneffe who is an assistant professor in Linguistics at OSU and her talk was entitled – Linguistics and “Big Data” Learning from Each Other.

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Recent Sigma Xi Presentations

On August 9th, Dr. Barbara Ryden from the OSU Department of Astronomy presented as part of the COSI After Dark – Time Travel program! Sigma Xi supports the COSI After Dark program by providing speakers from our membership for their events. If you are interested in serving as a speaker in future COSI After Dark events please contact Bailey Dye.

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On September 5th, The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi and Ohio State University Libraries hosted a seminar at our monthly “Science Cafe” on the 3rd Floor of the 18th Avenue Library in the Research Commons. Our speaker was Dr. Alex Oliszewski, an OSU Associate Professor of Media Design gave a talk entitled: “Disciplinary Illusions: Enter the TransDisciplinary”. During his talk, Dr. Oliszewski discussed how transdisciplinary approaches and efforts are crucial to solving the worlds big problems!

 

Science Cafe: “Disciplinary Illusions: Enter the TransDisciplinary”

Science Cafes represent a grassroots movement that exist all over the world. They take place in casual settings, are open to everyone, and feature an engaging conversation with a scientist about a particular topic.Our first OSU Science Cafe of this year will be on “Disciplinary Illusions: Enter the TransDisciplinary”. It will occur September 5th @ 6:30pm in the 18th Avenue Library (175 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210) Research Commons (3rd Floor). More information can be found at: library.osu.edu/news/science-cafe

Our speaker will:
• Describe and then argue for transdisciplinarity approaches and efforts as being crucial to solving to the worlds big problems of the day.
• Provide examples from my work and research.
• Describe a design process he has been developing that supports and fosters transdisciplinary creations.

The speaker will be Alex Oliszewski, Associate Professor of Media Design Alex Oliszewski’s specialization is in theatrical media design + devising. His technical knowledge includes sound, lighting, stagecraft, and performance in video, musical, dance, play, and interactive forms. His MFA graduate studies in Interdisciplinary Digital Media and Theatre at Arizona State University. His interdisciplinary work includes online training resources for women in STEM, dementia care training, public art, and course development work.

Upcoming Science Cafe Seminars

Join us tomorrow (June 20th) and on June 28th for our Science Cafe Public Seminars!

Cool Chemistry

Talk by Angie Miller (Demonstration Lab Supervisor in OSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Wed June 20th 7-8pm in Old Worthington Library

Ice that never melts, a gas that’s colder than Antarctica, and what would happen to a marshmallow in outer space, – everything can be explained by chemistry! Learn about all this and more during this fun program, presented in partnership with OSU Libraries. You bring the kids, we bring the chemistry. The Chemistry Demonstration lab provides models and demos for undergraduate chemistry classes. We also provide, perform, and facilitate upwards of 50 outreach events each year, from demo shows to hands-on tables to experiments. Angie has been the supervisor in the Demo Lab since 2010, and she estimates she has made at least 200 marshmallow people and used 1000L of liquid nitrogen.

 

Ohio Animals

Talk by Amanda Kriner (Director of Education and Volunteers, Richland County Park District)

Thurs June 28th 7-8pm in Northwest Library

Frogs and turtles and snakes, oh my! This presentation will talk about the cool creatures you can find in Ohio natural areas, including your own backyard. Participants will have opportunities to see, touch, and hold native wildlife during and after this presentation. This family friendly program will be fun and educational for all ages. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental science from Ashland University and uses it daily as the Education Director for the Richland County Park District. No animal is too big or too small to escape her interest, and she loves talking to people about them all.

 

 

Photos from April 4th Science Cafe Seminars

On April 4th, The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi and Ohio State University Libraries hosted two seminar speakers at our monthly “Science Cafe” on the 3rd Floor of the 18th Avenue Library in the Research Commons.

Our first speaker was Dr. Emily De Los Reyes from Nationwide Children’s Hospital & OSU College of Medicine. Her talk was titled: “Neurological Disease, Alternatives to Care”. Our second speaker was Dr. Kerry Dhakal from OSU Health Sciences Library. Her talk was titled: “Exposing Fake News about Cannabinoids”.

If you are interested in speaking at future Science Cafe Seminars and have a topic in mind, please contact email scicafe@osu.edu

Dr. Emily De Los Reyes presents at Science Cafe (04.04.18)

Dr. Kerry Dhakal presents at Science Cafe (04.04.18)

 

Presentation Opportunities for Sigma Xi Members

The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi would like to sponsor our members who are interested to apply for several public presentation opportunities that are supported by our local chapter. Three different opportunities to reach out to the public and present your research are:

Sigma Xi Distinguished Lectures

Since 1937 Sigma Xi has presented its Distinguished Lecturers who are outstanding members who are at the leading edge of science.  Sigma Xi supports these lecturers to travel to other chapters to communicate their insights and excitement to a broad range of scholars and to the community at large. Each year thousands of Sigma Xi members, students, and the public have an opportunity to hear exceptional talks and to ask questions of experts. More details on the program can be found here. If you are interested in applying to become a Distinguished Lecturer please contact the chapter directly (Sigma_xi@osu.edu) and we can assist with your application.

Science Café

The Science Café is a monthly seminar series that encourages a scientific understanding of the world through relaxed discussions of popular science topics. Open to the public, these evening seminars are co-sponsored by The Ohio State University Chapter of Sigma Xi and The Ohio State University Libraries and take place in various OSU libraries. More detail can be found on the chapter website and if you are interested in presenting please contact Kelly Crowe or our chapter directly (Sigma_xi@osu.edu).

COSI After Dark speakers

COSI After Dark is COSI without kids. These events are for adults ages 21 and over, only, and occur monthly, usually on a Thursday evening. This is an opportunity for Sigma Xi members to present an informal, public lecture as adult patrons explore COSI, ride the High Wire Unicycle, enjoy special themed crafts and activities, concessions and a cash bar. More information and a current schedule can be found at the COSI website. If you are interested in presenting please contact Kelly Crowe or our chapter directly (Sigma_xi@osu.edu).

If you have general questions please contact Noah Weisleder or use our chapter email address.