PubScience is a monthly event series bringing researchers to Ocean View Brew Works on the first Thursday of each month to give short, casual science talks and presentations on a variety of topics. These events are always free and open to the public of all backgrounds and interests. Are you a researcher that is interested in giving a public talk? Please fill out this form! Are you a science enthusiast interested in attending one of our events? Follow us on social media, or email us at ucbclear@gmail.com to join our newsletter! Design by Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez and Santi Yori Restrepo 

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UPCOMING TALK:

“Seek and Destroy: Molecular machines for cellular recycling and how to catch them in the act”

Past Events:

2024 Talks

         

2023 Talks

                

          

             

2022 Talks

                                                                                                   

2020 – 2021 Season

                     

2019 Season

          

   

March 2019

Dr. Javier Caravaca blew our minds with tales of teeny tiny neutrinos, and what we can learn about the universe if we force them to bump into stuff.

February 2019

Dr. Norm Ellstrand enlightened us with stunning tales about the sex lives of our favorite foods. Did you know that avocados can be one sex in the morning and the other in the evening?!

January 2019

Dr. Eti Ben Simon of UC Berkeley’s Center for Human Sleep Science explained how sleep affects our perceptions of others and their perceptions of us.

October 2018:

Dr. Rachel Mackelprang told us about her work with the NASA Mars Sample Return program. NASA’s objective is to bring samples from Mars to Earth. Rachel discussed what they will look for to determine if life did or does exist on Mars. Rachel studies permafrost here on Earth to learn what microbes on Mars – in similar conditions – may look like.

September 2018:

Dr. Michael Gomez (postdoctoral researcher, Innovative Genomics Institute, UC Berkeley) spoke about considerations with regards to editing human genomes, then guided a lively discussion by audience members of when, if, how, and why humanity should use CRISPR to edit our own genes.

August 2018:

Lagunita’s Brewing Innovation Manager, Bryan Donaldson, spoke about the biochemistry behind brewing flavor. We learned which types of compounds give beers their distinct flavors, and heard about scientists manipulating yeast to effect flavor profiles. Bryan also let us taste some deliciously hoppy beverages for ourselves!

July 2018

Alex Jaffe (Ph.D. candidate, UC Berkeley) spoke about the incredible creatures that live far below the surface of the ocean. Only a small fraction of light can penetrate the water to such depths, and organisms have adapted in all kinds of ways. Alex told us about the organisms that have evolved bioluminescence and the ways it helps them survive in deep dark places.

June 2018

Graduate students from the UC Museum of Palentology Ashley Poust and Nick Spano

May 2018

Dr. Sarah Richardson

April 2018

Berkeley SETI’s Dr. Dan Werthimer gave a crowded room an overview of past and present attempts to detect and communicate with extraterrestrial life. Dotted with humor and fun space facts, Dr. Werthimer’s talk made us feel that we probably aren’t alone in the universe, but now the question is – when and how will contact be made? Read our guest blog about this event here.

March 2018

After years of drought and then horrendous fires in the North Bay, we asked UC Berkeley’s Dr. Bill Stewart to address some of our questions regarding forest health and dry seasons: Are the forests in danger? (Perhaps not.) Is the Park Service doing enough? (Yes.) What is the future of our landscapes? (Time will tell.)

January 2018

Dr. Paula Shadle is an expert on all things regulatory when it comes to Pharmaceuticals, and she’s got some amazing stories, too. Using these anecdotes, she helped us understand just how medical regulations came to be, why we should always double check our medication pills and bottles and that, when in doubt, ask your pharmacist!

November 2017

It was an absolutely packed house as Dr. David Presti answered all of our questions about drugs – from alcohol to cannabis, drug interactions to drug discoveries and explanations of how they do the things they do to our bodies and brains.

September 2017

With Valley Fever cases at their highest in 20 years (with many cases in Central Valley Prisons), we asked UC Berkeley’s Dr. John Taylor to discuss how things got so bad, how it is spread and what we can do to prevent it.