Nerd Nite Vancouver

2017 is flying by! It’s our last standard Nerd Nite of the year, and we have a doozy for you. Let’s end this year with beer and science in our brains!

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday November 22nd; Doors @ 7

Tickets: Eventbrite

1. Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

Dr. Bill Gibson

Tonight he’ll be talking about the DNA testing you can get on yourself, without having trouble your poor, overworked family doc! Ever wanted to know if you are a carrier of Bloom syndrome, or what evil lurks in your gut microbiome, a.k.a. your poop? This talk will tell you how to find out. Because it’s sort of personalized medicine, or personalized sort-of medicine, individual results may vary.

Bio: Dr. William Gibson did not write Neuromancer, Johnny Mnemonic or The Peripheral. (Maybe try the Vancouver Writer’s Fest?) Anyway, our Nerd Nite guest did discover a whole genetic disease, and made sure the PhD student got top billing to boot! Check out “Cohen-Gibson syndrome” at Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Usually he works at the Provincial Medical Genetics Program and tries to solve other genetic and epigenetic diseases, including overgrowth, diabetes, lupus and brain aneurysms. Occasionally he messes up Canadian history in podcast format.

2. WTF is Science Illustration

Jen Burgess

Science and art have been fundamentally linked throughout history, but these days, artists and scientists seem to have retreated into separate camps. What happened? Science and art still need each other, and science illustrators are here to bridge the gap. Yet many people aren’t aware this career path, or this professional service, exists. What kind of training do science illustrators receive (or need to pursue)? How can illustrations help make modern science more accessible? When is an illustration preferable to a photograph? How can a scientist find an illustrator? What’s the process like of working together? Let’s answer some of these questions and navigate some familiar themes as we explore how science and art can relearn to coexist in the modern era.

Jen Burgess is a freelance scientific illustrator based in Vancouver. She has a unique confluence of background and skill sets that suit her incredibly niche career choice, including but not limited to: a BSc in geography from the University of Victoria (with upper-level biology electives), formal training in fine art techniques from Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and training as a California naturalist at University of California Santa Cruz. All this lead up to her pursuit of a graduate certificate in science illustration at California State University Monterey Bay in 2015. She threw herself into this program wholeheartedly and has been freelancing at home in Vancouver ever since. Not-so-coincidentally, on November 24 Jen will be having an art opening at Creative Coworkers from 5-8pm; more details in the talk.

(Twitter: @jenburgessart)

3.  “Genetic Counselling”

Kennedy Borle

This talk is to spread awareness about the field of genetic counselling, which not so coincidentally falls within Genetic Counselling Awareness Week! When you think of “genetic counselling” maybe your brain feels overwhelmed because those words together seem like an oxymoron. Maybe you immediately think of Gattaca and are weary and a little bit excited, or maybe you’re just outright confused because you’ve never heard of genetic counselling. We will be talking about what genetic counselling is, clearing up misconceptions about genetics and genetic counselling, discussing situations where genetic counsellors are important, and spreading awareness about the wonderful and ever expanding field.

Bio: Kennedy Borle, Stephanie Chieffo, Vanessa Di Gioacchino, Cara Inglese, Jill Madden, and Eugene Wong are the 2018 graduating class of UBC’s Masters of Genetic Counselling Program. In addition to being the six best friends that anyone could ever have, they are hard working graduate students with a passion for genetics and making a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Photos by: Stephanie Chan

Oh hi. Nerd Nite here. Kaylee and Michael. Guess what? We want to see you and talk some nerdy shit with you. I know maybe we saw you at Et Al last month (which was amazing), maybe we saw you at our exclusive free math event at Science World (super amazing). We need to get serious about our nerding out here though. It’s October which is one of our favourite months of the year, and even if you’re in school or not, it’s time to learn about some nerdy stuff with beer. Let’s kick this scholastic year in gear. We can’t wait to see you.

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday October 25th; Doors @ 7

Tickets: Eventbrite

1. Living in the Age of Uprisings

Serbulent Turan

The first decade of 2000 has witnessed a peak in the number of uprisings throughout the globe the likes of which were seen only in 3 other historical instances in the last three centuries. We are witnessing a global dissatisfaction with economic injustices, failure of political systems – across all systems, and increasing demands for rights and justice. On the other hand, we also see a global turn towards authoritarian leaders and practices, threatening long established democracies and the rights and freedoms associated with these. These two are, of course, connected. But what are we seeing and what should we expect from such an age of uncertainty?

Serbulent Turan is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at UBC where he also teaches on Democracy, Revolutions, and Political Theory. His research focuses on the constitution of the modern state and how states engender obedience in their populations. Originally from Turkey, he’s moved to Canada 10 years ago after spending some time in Europe.

2. Pufferfish, Neat!

Emilie Stump

The over 180 species of smooth pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae) are biologically fascinating fishes are best known their arsenal of defenses, including inflatable bodies, parrot-like beaks, and skin laced with deadly neurotoxins. Pufferfish, Neat! will showcase the diversity of pufferfishes, and share pufferfish stories from around the world and through time. Whether as delicacies worth dying for, or as the key ingredient in Haitian zombie powder, or as the inspiration for the largest steel framework statue in the world, pufferfishes have a rich and fascinating cultural history spanning millennia. Given their status as high-value delicacies, these fishes are also vulnerable to overfishing in many parts of their range.

Emilie Stump is a marine ecologist with a life-long passion for fishes. She has worked closely with marine fishes since her first job in high school at a locally-owned aquarium store. Trained and mentored by ichthyologists and conservationists, she has studied fishes in captive and wild settings from the coral reefs of Florida to fish markets in Gabon, and facilitated global initiatives to advance marine conservation. Additionally, Emilie’s scientific illustration work has been commissioned by professionals and institutions around the world. Emilie is currently completing her MSc at the University of British Columbia’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.

3. Buffy the straight-ish vampire (s)layer: Buffy, Willow, and Queer Sexualities in the Media

Hélène Frohard-Dourlent

This talk explores the portrayal of queer sexualities in the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer by looking specifically at the character of Willow as well as Buffy (Season 8 comic books spoiler alert: turns out Buffy is also a bit flexible in the heterosexual department…). Buffy is often lauded as a progressive and feminist show, but a close look at its characters and storylines reveal many tensions and contradictions when it comes to sexuality. I explore these complexities and the challenges of queer representationsby discussing Willow and Tara as lesbian role-models for baby queers (hi!), bisexual erasure, and heteroflexibility.

Hélène Frohard-Dourlent (they/them or she/her) credits Buffy for teaching them English and making them queer, as any good TV show should. Hélène has published several articles on Buffy and recently co-edited a special issue of Slayage (the journal of Whedon Studies) on Queering the Whedonverses. Hélène has also spent many delightful years doing research on gender and sexual diversity in the fields of education and health, and even got a PhD in Sociology out of it. Hélène currently works for UBC within the Student Diversity Initiative

Nerd Nite is going on a field trip once again! This time at Science World! To celebrate the opening of the new exhibit “Math Moves”, we’ll have three talks on different perspectives on Math, but best of all, IT’S FREE.

We’ll have drinks for sale, and time to peruse the gallery, but you’ll need to reserve a ticket, and they’ll be in high demand with limited capacity, so don’t miss out!

Where: Telus Wold of Science

When: Wednesday September 27th; Doors @ 7

Tickets: Eventbrite

Sophie Johns – “The Contagious Cancer Threatening Tasmanian Devils with Extinction and How Mathematics Can Help”

Think back to your last mathematics class, you might have been left wondering how this information would possibly help you in adult life. You may be surprised how often mathematics is used to advise decision makers and how it is being used to better understand the world around us. For instance, epidemiology is an area of mathematics dedicated to understanding diseases. These models can be used to uncover many aspects of diseases such as – how they spread, immunisation requirements, and even how host and diseases evolve. Take the Tasmanian Devil for example. This Australian marsupial is being threatened with extinction by a transmissible cancer. The understanding and perspective provided by mathematical models of this disease will help conservation efforts and hopefully save the species from the brink of extinction.

Sophie Johns is in her first year of a biology PhD. Rather than doing laboratory experiments or field research, Sophie is using mathematics to explore evolutionary and ecological dynamics. Her current PhD project is on the Tasmanian Devil’s facial tumour disease, a rare form of transmissible cancer. She’s based at the Australian National University but is current on exchange with Sally Otto at the University of British Columbia.

Nikki Berreth – “Patterns of Choice”

Sometimes it can feel impossible to make a decision. However, most of our choices are so simple, they are almost instinctual: like choosing a bathroom stall, crossing the road or picking a partner! Learn more about the mathematical patterns behind the choices we make.

Nikki Berreth is an experienced science communicator and educator working in Vancouver, BC. When she is not entertaining the masses at with math and science, she is nerding out over new media for sharing science. Her most current endeavour – crocheted fractal patterns!

Mark MacLean

Mark MacLean is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of British Columbia and is interested in how we learn to understand mathematics. Professor MacLean is the a co-creator of UBC’s Science One Program and is the creator of animated children’s stories inspired by mathematics found in Aboriginal storytelling. In recognition of his contributions to mathematics education in Canada, Professor MacLean was awarded the Adrien Pouliot Award in 2015.

Et Al Too!: The Ultimate Bar Science Night

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday September 20th; Doors @ 7

Tickets: Eventbrite

Anecdotal Evidence + Cafe Scientifique + Curiosity Collider + Nerd Nite + Science Slam

You like science? You like drinking while sciencing? In Vancouver there are many options to get educated and inspired through science, art, and culture in a casual bar setting outside of universities. There’s Nerd Nite which focuses on nerdy lectures in the Fox Cabaret, Anecdotal Evidence a science based storytelling show, Curiosity Collider which creates events that bring together artists and scientists, as well as Cafe Scientifique the long running series which focuses on one single speaker to engage in discussions while at the bar, and just this past we have been introduced to Science Slam, a poetry slam for scientists!

September 20th at the Fox Cabaret, all five institutions will team for the ultimate bar science night, Et al. This show is one night only, and not to be missed, and plus it’s Science Literacy Week to boot! Last year this event sold out very quickly, so don’t miss out!

Featuring:

Dr. Scott Sampson

Scott Sampson is a dinosaur paleontologist, science communicator, and passionate advocate for connecting people with nature. He currently serves as president and CEO of Science World British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., where much of his work focuses on rethinking 21st Century cities as places where people and nature thrive.

Nerd Nite is taking a brief hiatus over July and August. We’ll be back in September for more Nerdy fun. In the meantime, stay connected on Facebook for updates on lots of other Nerdy events going on in Vancouver throughout the summer!

It seems like forever since we’ve seen you! The Fox plumbing has been sorted out and we have a sweet send off before we take a summer break. We’ve got lots to celebrate! It’s Canada’s 150 plus anniversary so we have a classic beaver talk, it’s men’s mental health month so we’ve got a talk on that, plus we’re also going to kick off the YVR Food Fest, and as an added bonus your ticket will be good to stay for the party which starts right after Nerd Nite at the Fox!

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday, June 28th; Doors @ 7

Tickets: online

Poster image by: Armin Mortazavi
Instagram: @armin.scientoonist

Photos by: Stephanie Chan

1. Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned From a Shark

David Shiffmann 

Learn about the wonderful world of sharks and rays from marine biologist Dr. David Shiffman! David has interacted with thousands of sharks of more than 50 species all over the world. In this talk, he’ll share fun facts about these amazing animals, and share lessons learned from his dream job.

Bio: Dr. David Shiffman is a Liber Ero Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Simon Fraser University, where his research focuses on the sustainability of Canadian shark fisheries. He is also an award winning science communicator who has written about sharks for the Washington Post, Scientific American, and other outlets. Follow him on twitter @WhySharksMatter

2. Cartoon Therapy

Armin Mortazavi 

3. Beavers

Lesley Fox

Move over Captain America, Wonder Woman and Spiderman. Beavers are the true superheroes. They clean water, create and maintain vital wetlands, prevent drought, change landscapes and can even build dams so large you can see them from space (actually, that story got blown out of proportion – but the dam was huge). Beavers are also furry, family-oriented and adorable. Sadly, they’re also killed by the thousands for their fur and because some people consider them to be a “nuisance”. Why is there a disconnect between what we know about beavers and how we treat them? What solutions exist to prevent conflict so beavers can exercise their superpowers without interfering with people, and vice versa? Discover the incredible life of beavers, the role they play in our ecosystems, and how we can all help them realize their true place among our favourite superheroes.

Bio: Lesley Fox is the Executive Director of The Fur-Bearers, a national non-profit organization dedicating to protecting fur-bearing animals in the wild and confinement. She is also a certified Humane Education Specialist through the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE), and graduated with honours from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Public Relations, Marketing Communications and Non-Profit Management. Lesley lives in Vancouver and enjoys reading and volunteering in her spare time.

You didn’t think we were going to forget about April did you? Well we had a little issue with some plumbing at the Fox, so we’re having a special beginning of the month Nerd Nite! We have an amazing lineup once again including some fun prizes and special appearances! Limited early nerd tickets are available, so get on it!

Featuring special appearance by:Carson Kivari, winner of March edition of Science Slam!

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Tuesday, May 2nd; Doors @ 7

Tickets: online

#1. Big stuff from small stuff: Nanomaterials and their applications

Bonnie Gray

Bio: Dr. Bonnie Gray Ph.D, is a Professor at the School of Engineering Science at Simon Fraser University.

#2. Burlesque

Burgundy Brixx 

Bio: Burgundy Brixx (aka Kyrst Hogan) is a professional singer, dancer, actress, comedienne and neo-burlesque artist. She practices these skills both individually and merged to create neo-cabaret performance art. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with a Minor in Dance.

#3. I love dead things… and you can too!

Nicole Balsdon 

Natural history museums are stuffed to the gills with strange creatures, crumbling papers, dark corners, and of course, dead things. Why do we have buildings full of this stuff, and where do they come from? Together, we will embrace the macabre mystique of cabinets of curiosities, and even get to touch real museum objects, so that the amazing stories of science can unfold, right under your fingertips.”

Bio: Nicole Balsdon is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum. She is passionate about science communication, museums, program evaluations, and lifelong learning!

What do Jules Verne, Charles Darwin, Ray Kurzweil, Chuck Yeager, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, and Steve Jobs all have in common? They’re all famous white male scientists that have birthdays in February. But for every famous male scientist there’s a female scientist that deserves just as much recognition like Lydia DeWitt, Elizabeth Blackwell, Mary Douglas Leakey, Ruth Sager, Aletta Henriette Jacobs, Agnes Mary Clerke, Margaret Knight, Margaret Warner Morley, Agnes Arber, or Ida Noddack. If you don’t know who any of those ladies are, look them up, and come with a nerdy tidbit about one of them and share it with us!

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday, February 22nd; Doors @ 7

Tickets: online

Poster: Armin Mortazavi

1. People and Pollinators: Opportunity in the Inner City

Sarah Common

In the hustle of daily city life people and activity surround us, and yet isolation is pervasive. Disconnected from land, food and community, penned in by consumption and convenience, our culture is fractured. Our ecosystems and communities are falling into crises. With diminishing populations of pollinators, increasing poverty, marginalization and disparity, hope for our future can be difficult to find and maintain. Think Blade Runner.

But there is hope, for people and pollinators alike: together we can turn the cultural tides. After all, revolutions are built on hope. By building inclusive green spaces in the heart of a city, you build communities. Here, a diversity of plants, pollinators and people will thrive, regardless of perceived worth, capacity, or socio-economic capital.

The bees have sweet little knees; they have specific but simple needs. This talk will give you tools to build your relationship with them. And then you won’t be that person at the party staring blankly into space thinking “the bees are dying at an alarming rate.”

Bio: Sarah is the co-founder, CEO and Chief Community Officer, Hives for Humanity Society She is a support worker, beekeeper and gardener in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES). She is passionate about fostering vibrant and healthy community through empowerment and education, and believes in the profound impact of connecting individuals and communities to their land, food and spirit.

2. Looking at rocks with physics

Lindsey Heagy

What killed the dinosaurs? Where is the billion-dollar gold deposit that will make me rich!? What these questions have in common is that we need to examine the rock-record beneath the surface. Similar to non-invasive medical imaging, where an MRI is used to generate images of your brain, in geophysics, we use gravity, seismic and electromagnetics, to make images of subsurface geology.

Bio: Lindsey Heagy is a PhD student in the Geophysical Inversion Facility at UBC studying numerical geophysics and the application of electromagnetics for monitoring subsurface injections: eg. carbon capture and storage, and hydraulic fracturing. She is a project-lead on GeoSci.xyz (http://geosci.xyz), an effort to build collaborative, interactive, web-based textbooks.

3.  Chasing Atlantis: A Documentary About Not Going to Space

Matthew Cimone

Inspired by the final flight of the space shuttle – Shuttle Atlantis – Matthew Cimone, joined by director Paul Muzzin, embarks on a journey to reconnect with a lost childhood dream of being an astronaut. During his travels, Matthew interviews current and retired astronauts, scientists, science fiction writers, actors, and other space enthusiasts to discover why – as Carl Sagan said – the Sky Calls to Us.

Bio: Matthew Cimone, inspired by Star Trek, grew up believing that life is about exploring the universe and doing good. Having studied International Development at the University of Toronto, Matthew spent 2004-2005 working in Sierra Leone, and in 2006 was named a UN Youth Ambassador. Over 70,000 people have heard Matthew’s speeches where he often combines his passions for social justice and space. His TEDx talk “Why Diamonds in Space Inspire Me to Support a School in West Africa” challenges audiences to consider the value of life from a cosmic perspective and to see the world as we do from space; without borders. In 2012 Matthew became Co-Founder and CEO of Esther’s Echo, a non-profit that supports a school for vulnerable girls and women in Sierra Leone. He currently lives in Vancouver as a Residence Life Coordinator at Simon Fraser University and a volunteer at the Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard.

2017 is here, and Nerd Nite is kicking off our third year in style with being part of the nationwide travelling celebration Innovation 150. Here at Nerd Nite we pride ourselves with providing a forum for not only presenters to share their innovative ideas, but also attendees. This month we got three awesome nerds!

Where: The Fox Cabaret

When: Wednesday, January 25th; Doors @ 7

Tickets: online

1.  The Relatives You Can Never Meet: Learning more about ourselves via multidisciplinary approaches to archaeology

Rhy McMillan 

Who are we, where did we come from, and what does it mean to be us? As humans, we are members of a big family with a complex history. However, our ancient ancestors’ stories are difficult to read, because they were recorded in the earth and not with pen and paper. Thus, the only way to learn their stories is by examining the bones, teeth, and artifacts they left behind. Interpreting the meaning of such objects is an archaeologist’s task. The physical evidence of our ancestors is a finite resource, so archaeologists are challenged to minimally alter and not destroy the materials they study. This raises an important question: how can we obtain as much information as possible from bones, teeth, and artifacts while simultaneously preserving them? In this talk, I will investigate the range of techniques available to researchers for reading the stories of our ancestors and highlight some interesting case studies that bring us a little closer to the relatives you can never meet.

Bio: Rhy is a PhD Candidate in Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research at the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at UBC. Rhy’s  research involves developing quasi-non-destructive methods for collecting data from archaeological materials with techniques adapted from earth science. Rhy study how bones and teeth deteriorate post-mortem, what the geochemical signatures in animals and humans can tell us about an individual’s life and death, and how linking artifacts to their geologic sources can elucidate the complexities of past human migration and trade. With ever-improving analytical capabilities and interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers are answering questions about our past more accurately and with less impact on the archaeological record than ever before.

2. Improv and the Pursuit of Controlled Chao

Amy Shostak

Amy will share with you her passion for theatrical improvisation, and discuss the balancing act that makes some improv shows more extraordinary than others.

Bio: Amy started improvising with Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre in 2002, and she served as Artistic Director of that company for six years. Amy now lives in Vancouver, where she is involved with Instant Theatre, Vancouver Theatresports League, and Blind Tiger Comedy. She is a skilled instructor of both short and long form improvisation, and has traveled to many festivals around the globe. When not improvising, Amy performs sketch comedy with her duo Gossamer Obsessions. She is passionate about civic engagement, nachos and heavy metal. Twitter: @shostakattack

3. Quantum Matter

Andrew MacDonald and Ellen Schelewr

Bio: Andrew MacDonald and Ellen Schelew are both PhD candidate in Physics at UBC, and work out of the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute.