Our Mission is to bring together scientists and the public. Scientists speak on subjects of general interest relating to their research. Attendance is free. Discussion is invited.
Cafe Events
The Quantum of Everyday Life, April 21
How is quantum mechanics relevant for how birds migrate, or the color of their feathers? To the color of blood and precious gems? And how does quantum mechanics lead to materials properties – which define the ages of history, from the stone age to the current silicon age that describes our microelectronics? Join Alex Georgescu, …
Science Cafe, March 24 2026: The Placebo Effect
We’ve all heard of the placebo effect. Some conditions such as depression have a strikingly high placebo rate (30-50%), raising the bar for therapies. But what is it? Is there a physiological basis? Can we bottle it? Oh wait, someone has… Join Alex Straiker (senior research scientist at the Gill Institute for Neuroscience) for …
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Science Cafe, February 24, 2026: Sleep
with Abhilash Lakshman, PhD, Shafer Lab With every rotation of the earth, we cycle from the “unrecorded fantasies of solitary dreaming, to the collective fantasy of daily social and commercial life.” What determines when and how much we sleep? How does light influence sleep timing and levels? Join us as we talk about how tiny insects help …