Nerd Nite No 87: Dying in Space, Star Wars and your Genome!
Here’s what we have lined up for you on August 1:
Death by Snu Snu or: All The Ways That Space Will Kill You.
Traveling to distant worlds has long been a dream of us earthbound humans, and incredible advances in technology mean humans will likely walk on Mars in the next few decades. The only limit is our imagination.
But there’s one little problem…space is a really scary place.
Join professor and science communicator Michael McConville for a sobering look at all the ways that space can kill us — from the dramatic to the mundane — and how scientists are trying to ensure that humans truly become an interplanetary species.
In space, no one can hear you scream, but they might see you boil.
Michael McConville has always wanted to be an astronaut, and as a fifteen-year veteran of the planetarium field, he gets to make others feel like astronauts every day. A six-time presenter at Nerd Nite Orlando, this is Michael’s first talk for Nerd Nite Philly! Michael is noted for his unique storytelling ability and a love of learning and exploration. This very particular set of skills is useful in his other day jobs, as sales manager for the planetarium company Spitz, Inc., and as a professor of American History. Michael is an alumnus (twice!) of the “maybe national champions” University of Central Florida.
What Can Your Genome Say About You?
In the last decade, we suddenly have access to each position in our DNA. My talk will focus on what this can (and cannot) tell us: about ancestry, health, and behavior.
Shweta Ramdas is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. She moved here from Michigan (go blue!) where she studied the genetics of diseases in humans.
The Law of Star Wars
Could Han Solo legally shoot first? Were R2-D2 and C-3PO unlawfully discriminated against in the Tatooine cantina? From war crimes to child custody, the Star Wars galaxy is brimming with legal issues. Join attorney and Army JAG officer Thomas Harper for a breakdown of some of the biggest legal topics in the galaxy far, far away.
Thomas Harper is a Lehigh Valley attorney with the firm Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo. Thomas served on active duty as an Army JAG officer for seven years and now serves in the Army Reserves. During his time in the JAG Corps, Thomas served in a variety of positions, including as a prosecutor, criminal defense counsel, and as an Operational Law attorney advising on the law of war and rules of engagement in Afghanistan.
While he loves all things geek, he is a massive Star Wars fan and collector who may or may not still carry his lunch in a Darth Vader lunchbox. Thomas blogs and podcasts for The Legal Geeks (www.thelegalgeeks.com), using Star Wars to teach about a wide variety of legal topics. He regularly shares his love of Star Wars on the national stage, and has presented at San Diego Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, WonderCon, and DragonCon. You can follow him on Twitter at @thomasLharper.
Plus, nerdy fun, surprises and perhaps even a little bonus talk!
Join us!
Nerd Nite Philadelphia
Wed., Aug 1. 7:30 pm (doors at 4, we recommend getting there early to ensure you score a good seat).
$5 cash only, there is an ATM onsite and a Wells Fargo up the street.
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave, in the heart of Fishtown
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