Foxes. We have a fascination with them. We query over the sounds they make; we amaze at their hunting prowess; we imagine their bizarre and beautiful friendships; and we can’t deny that they are strangely sexy. It’s for all of these reasons that we both love and respect the fox. As such, we are pleased to announce that our next event will be held at the foxiest joint in town – The Fox Cabaret! We’re ready to bring the nerd to this ummm “reformed” theatre.
Where: The Fox Cabaret
When: Tuesday April 7th, Doors @ 7; Talks @ 7:30
Tickets: $6.30 online; $8 at the door
#1 Better the Devil You Know? Benefits, Limits and Ethics of Predictive Genetic Testing
Kimberly Girling
With the increased availability of human genome sequencing and genetic testing, more options are available for predictive testing for disease than ever before. This means many exciting options for early disease treatment, lifestyle choices and advances in “personalized medicine”. However, this knowledge can also lead to ethical challenges and may have limitations. How can predictive testing help improve disease outcomes? Are new “personalized” medical treatments really advancing heath?
Bio: Kimberly Girling is a Ph.D. Candidate in Neuroscience at UBC, developing novel, preventative therapies for Huntington’s Disease, an inherited, genetic neurodegenerative disease. Kimberly is also the Director of Corporate Relations of the Student Biotechnology Network, a BC-wide organization that helps students develop career paths in life science and biotechnology through education about career opportunities and connection with industry leaders. Kimberly has a strong interest in global health and accessible medicine and sits on the advisory board for the Neglected Global Diseases Initiative (NGDI) at UBC, an organization that works to increase research, awareness and funding for tropical diseases and works towards medical advances for neglected communities worldwide. Kimberly co-founded and co-edits the UBC NGDI Student Global Health Journal. Kimberly also volunteers with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, working to develop better policies relating to opiate overdose in Canada, and contributing to science communication through blogging.
#2 #DesignNerd
Mitra Mansour
The story of one Design Nerd’s journey.
Bio: Mitra Mansour is a Vancouver-based Interdisciplinary Designer, Researcher, Facilitator and Project Coordinator with a background in Art, Communication, Architecture and Urban Design. She is the founder of Creative Room, a collaborative interdisciplinary design studio and on-going research laboratory for cooperative creative studio business. Currently she is the Director of Community Engagement and Facilitator with the Vancouver Design Nerds, Co-director and curator of Civic Renewal Lab, and a member of the City of Vancouver Public Art Committee.
Mansour’s practice has led her to the creation of and advocacy for better design through community engagement, social impact design, and public interest design with a focus on sustainable environments and models. Her current work includes Mobile Town Hall (MoTH) – a mobile pop-up citizen-led initiative and structure designed to foster more meaningful dialogue between community members and city hall (Town Hall 2.0).
#3 Anything Except My Ship, My Sword, or My Wife: Swords in Medieval Literature
Dr. Siân Echard
A visitor arrives at Arthur’s court, seeking a boon. The King, noted for his generosity and adventurous spirit, promises that he will give the visitor absolutely anything, with a short list of exceptions. The King’s sword (and his ship, and his knife, and his cloak) all come before his wife in that list, suggesting just how important Arthur’s weapons are to him. Arthur’s sword (or swords) is only the most famous example of the centrality of a hero’s weapon to his reputation in medieval literature. This lavishly-illustrated talk will look at how swords are presented in medieval hero narratives, looking at weapons as symbols of rule, agents of destiny, and objects of magic and mysticism. We’ll finish up with a brief look at how the idea of the named weapon makes its way into modern fantasy and gaming.
Bio: Siân Echard is a Professor of English at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests include Anglo Latin literature, Arthurian literature, John Gower, and manuscript studies and book history. She is particularly interested in how the presentation of text—on the page, in the archive, in the digital world—affects how text is received and discussed. Dr. Echard holds a UBC Killam Research Prize for 1998, a UBC Killam Teaching Prize for 2001, and was named a Distinguished University Scholar in 2004.