Nerd Nite Calgary

Come join us at WURST for our last Nerd Nite of the season! This Season Finale is sure to be a cliff hanger…

When: Thursday, June 14th , 2018
Where: WURST (2437 4 St SW)
Tickets: Sold out! Wait list here
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Everything you never knew you wanted to know about radon, gas, radiation and you
Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, University of Calgary, Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease

Most of us have learned a degree of ‘fear’ surrounding (ionizing) radiation and the diseases connected to exposure, typically from popular culture, more spectacular historical events or word of mouth. However, exactly *why* we should be concerned, and also the surprising nature of the radiation sources that we should and also should not be worried about, is often missed from this conversation. In this evenings talk, you will learn the answers to all of these questions, as well as how scientists are figuring out who are the hidden superheroes amongst us, how studying the air of basements can help us colonize space and why working in a nuclear power plant can sometimes save your life.

Colours of the Brain
Dave Siever, CEO of Mind Alive Inc.

Once upon a time EEGs could only show squiggly lines that a researcher or clinician “oohed and aahed” at, not knowing quite what to make of these elusive & exciting brain wave events. However, with the advent of the quantification of brain wave activity over time, computer algorithms allowed researchers and clinicians to view beautiful and colorful images of brain activity that goes far beyond what can be gleaned from squiggly lines. This technique is termed quantified EEG or qEEG. QEEG enables us the ability to identify and treat a wide variety of brain/behavioral conditions including depression, several types of anxiety, OCD, ADD, ADHD, dementia, brain injuries from hits to the head, viral infections, strokes and more.

The Chemistry of the World’s Smallest Sponges
George Shimizu,  University of Calgary. Co-Founder, ZoraMat Solutions Inc.

Many global challenges, from desalinating water to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, come down to bringing about some form of separation in an energy efficient manner. Our research concerns making new solid materials with regular pores and channels on the nanometer scale. On this scale, the cavities are on the order of individual molecules and the ability to separate targets becomes very selective. In this talk I will present some of the techniques we use to prove the structure of materials and how they work followed by some of the global challenges where a better means of separating molecules is needed. Finally, I will mention some of our very successful work on using these little molecular sponges to selectively and efficiently remove carbon dioxide from gas streams.

Come join us at WURST for our 35th Nerd Nite in Calgary! Season 4, Episode 8!

When: Thursday, May 17th , 2018
Where: WURST (2437 4 St SW)
Tickets: $10 online + fees Sold out. Sign up for the waitlist here.
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

The Brain Imaging Revolution: What’s coming down the Pike?

Bruce Pike, PhD, University of Calgary

Innovations during the past 30 years have created unprecedented windows onto the living human brain and have revolutionized medical care and neuroscience research.  In this presentation I will touch upon many of the great brain imaging milestones, discuss their impact on basic and clinical neuroscience, and muse about the future.

Donald J. Trump Goes to Leadership School

James Stauch, Director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at MRU

The set-up: As the siren Stormy draws the great leader of the American empire to crash upon the rocks and relinquish his power, he stands on the precipice, clinging to the mast, confessing to the wind that he might have a problem.  Appealing to the heavens for one last chance to redeem himself, his call is answered:  He is instructed by a chorus of winged former world leaders – Gandhi, Mandela, MLK – caregiver social reformers – Nightengale, Fry, Sanger, Barton – and, among many others, an obscure Saskatchewan preacher named Tommy Douglas – that he must check himself in to “leadership rehab”.  We’ll be flies on the wall, as we witness Trump’s wrenching but powerful journey of self- and world-discovery.

What’s in your beer? The botany behind our food and beverages

Jana Vamosi, PhD, University of Calgary

Cultivated ingredients in our food and beverages originate in nature. This Nerd Nite will cover how scientists discover, describe, and monitor plant species, and then focus on species often used to make beer.

In case you didn’t know, we are MOVING! Come join us at our new location, WURST. Where else can you get a beer, a sausage, and an education?

With half price tickets, happy hour pricing, and plenty of swag giveaways… you better be prepared to get these tickets quick! Sale starts March 20th at 6pm.

When: Thursday, April 19th, 2018 (Doors open at 6:00pm)
Where: WURST (2437 4 St SW)
Tickets: SOLD OUT – click here for wait list

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Explorations at the Extremes of Embodiment
Ian MacNairn, Extreme Jogger and researcher in anthropology and medicine, University of Calgary

Photo credit: Bookstrucker Photography

Ian’s own path in the world of extreme endurance and exploration came through accident. His first steps as a trail-runner announced the end of his recovery from a near-fatal injury. Ian pursued rehabilitation through running as a health scientist, using his case to study the physiological, mental, and social transformations that occur in pursuit of ultra-endurance. This initial project only resulted in more questions and curiosity encouraging further research and exploration. Over the past decade, Ian has explored embodiment in trail and ultrarunning through observing, interviewing, and participating with runners around the world. Ian’s current work is a novel exploratory study of the community and culture that is formed and developed through sport. TheUltra Ethnography is one of the broadest and largest project on trail and ultrarunning to-date, with a sample of over 3,500 participants representing 49 countries and six continents. At Nerd Nite, Ian shares his story of exploration and experimentation in the embodiment of endurance.

How the promise of immutable trust via the blockchain is set to transform our future days (and nights)
Mike Warf, leader of the Digital Services team for the University of Lethbridge

Cryptocurrency (and Bitcoin in particular) has been the subject of a lot media buzz in the past 6 months – from “get rich quick” Bitcoin Billionaires, to bubbles and bullshit. Join Michael Warf (armchair Bitcoin investor) as we discover the real value of blockchain technology, the potential transformation of daily life, and how regulation just might poop the party.

Come join us at the Wild Rose Brewery for our 33rd Nerd Nite in Calgary! Season 4, Episode 6!

When: Thursday, March 15, 2018 (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: $10 online + fees – Sold Out (Wait list enabled)
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Were monks naughty, perverted, or just bored? Reading medieval manuscripts
Dr. Kenna Olsen, Associate Professor, Mount Royal University

From the “penis tree,” to the “flying penis monster,” to lots and lots of bums, medieval manuscripts abound with illustrations that range from the obscene to the obscure. I’ll provide some of the best and least known medieval illustrations, and talk through what they say about those who produced them hundreds of years ago, and why some of them still matter today.

Pooping, Privacy, and Propriety
Dr. Nestar Russell, Department of Sociology, University of Calgary

There are many common, yet socially invisible behaviours that occur in public washrooms. These activities are frequently relied upon, but very rarely acknowledged of discussed. For example, why do people utilize the courtesy flush? Why do others crumple toilet paper in their hands as they defecate? Before heading into a cubicle for a “number two”, why do some people – particularly women – turn on the faucet? Also, why do we so commonly rely on euphemistic language when discussing our time in the toilet – sorry, restroom. Using the quirky but rather eye-opening sociological theory of Norbert Elias – whom Harvard scholar Steven Pinker describes as “the most important thinker you have never heard of” – this talk will explore the private habits of public bathrooms, in relation to the social history of manners.

How bacteria poop could save your life
Dr. Ian Lewis, Assistant Professor and Alberta Innovates Translational Health Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary

How bacteria poop could save your life: the dawning of a new era in fighting infections.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a serious problem. Effective drugs for treating common infections are a cornerstone of modern medicine and the invasion of drug resistant organisms poses a serious threat to global health. If left unchecked, microbial drug resistance will eventually cause Canadian life expectancies to drop by more than 20 years and will make many modern medical practices, including hip replacement surgery, chemotherapy, and organ transplant too risky to perform. Finding an immediate solution to this crisis is our moral imperative to ensure that future generations will benefit from modern medical practices. Recently, an international team lead by the University of Calgary have uncovered a surprising new tool in the fight against drug resistant organisms: bacteria poop. This Nerd Nite talk will take brave audience members along the unexpected journey that is transforming prokaryote poop into the newest weapon in the fight against infections.

Nerd Nite Calgary and the MRU Psychology Department are exciting to be hosting a night of Virtual Reality gaming for your enjoyment.  The VR Lab at MRU contains 4 VR rooms and they will be supplying a variety of games for us to try out.  We are only opening 22 slots so that we will get 2 15 minute sessions behind the goggles.   MRU will also have an area with a bar and snacks available for purchase. So in our off time we will have a place to socialize.

Location: The Centre for Psychological Innovation
Located in the East Arts (EA) Building
Room# EA2020

Tickets available here – SOLD OUT

Alright, you little Love Nerds… Shake off that V-Day hangover and come join us February 15th for Nerd Nite Calgary: Season 4, Episode 5 at the Wild Rose Brewery!

When: Thursday, February 15, 2018 (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: SOLD OUT. Waitlist available on Eventbrite here.
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

So You Want to Play with Fire – the Science of Fire Play

Keziah Arsenault, AKA Phoenix FireStar of FireStorm Entertainment

Phoenix started playing with fire in 2009.  She heard a song on the radio and formed FireStorm Entertainment six months later.  She began to eat fire in 2012. Come learn the science of the circus art of fire eating and fire play with Phoenix FireStar of FireStorm Entertainment.  Are you brave enough to give it a try?

Happy New Year! Our first Nerd Nite Calgary event of 2018 happens on Thursday, January 11 at Wild Rose Brewery:

When: Thursday, January 11, 2018 (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: SOLD OUT (waitlist sign-up is here.)
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

How Animals Learn
Robin Horemans KPA CTP, Owner of the Calgary Bird School (www.calgarybirdschool.com)

In this short talk, we will discuss basic learning theory. Learn how every organism learns (parrots, dogs, dolphins, etc…), what positive reinforcement means, and why it’s one of the four “quadrants of learning”. We will also talk about classical and operant conditioning. Learning theory is so elegant when we apply it to our animal friends: choice is a primary reinforce.

Cybersecurity… I don’t get it, but just don’t let Facebook go down!
Marc Kneppers, Chief Security Architect for TELUS

When cyberwar comes, it will be your Communication Provider that is the first line of defence! As everything we do converges onto communications networks, the Internet is now a piece of Canada’s Critical Infrastructure and cybersecurity has become a primary concern. In this talk I’ll give you a quick rundown of how the Internet is built at its core and then explore the various security threats and defences we work on. I’ll explain how we classify our attackers and what we believe their motivations are (which helps to answer questions like: is it really Russia hacking me or the guy down the street?) and I’ll try to give you some context for some of the Internet security stories you may have seen in the news (what’s a botnet? And why does it want my babycam?).

Following Franklin…
Dr. Lynn Moorman, Professor, Mount Royal University.

In 1845 Sir John Franklin set off from England with high expectations to find and sail through Canada’s Northwest Passage. Despite being exceptionally well resourced, Franklin and his men didn’t return home. Numerous search and rescue missions discovered clues to their fate, however, the two ships weren’t found until 2014 and 2016 near King William Island. Though voyaging through the Passage is easier today, many of the wonders, challenges, and mysteries facing those early Arctic explorers are still encountered by modern travellers. This talk will be an exploration of the science behind some of these strange Passage phenomena through the context of expedition travels through the Northwest Passage, including Parks Canada’s first tourist expedition to the site of Franklin’s ship, the Erebus, in September 2017.

Get ready for our last event of 2017! Coming up Thursday, November 16th.

When: Thursday, November 16, 2017 (Doors open at 6:30pm, Event ~7pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: $10 online + fees
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Hindsight Wasn’t 20/20 Nor as Colorful: The Evolution of Human Vision
Dr. Amanda Melin, Canada Research Chair & Assistant Professor, University of Calgary

Unless we are standing in a dark room, have lost our eye glasses, or have had a few too many beers, most humans can read an eye chart from across the room and see the world in vibrant color. In this, we are quite different from most other mammals. But why and how have we come to see the world so differently than our dogs and cats (or the mice living in our shed)? I try to answer this question by looking to our close relatives, including other primates. By combining approaches in molecular genetics, visual psychology, and animal behaviour, I explore variation in the color vision and acuity (ability to see detail) among living animals to make inferences about the past and predictions about the future.

#CloningAnselAdams: A revisionist history about the future of photography
Brad Wrobleski, Professional Photographer, fotoscool.com

The catalyst for this talk is a curiosity about cameras, seeing, learning and this thing we call photography; where it has been, what it is to us and an opaque prophesy on how we will engage with it in the future.

Brad is the incarnation of genetically motivated curiosity. He spent most of his life chasing his deeply driven curiosity about places and people, geography, what is possible by testing and tracing himself over the geographic lines of our planet and photography. If he was to designate a descriptor to his present curiosity it would be straddling the desk between graduate student and teacher. He is exploring how technology can be used to teach technology and art. A blending of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, BOTS  and pedagogical psychology.

The future of health – Precision Medicine
Dr. Jon Meddings, Dean, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

The future of health is Precision Medicine. I will describe what this is, where it comes from and use some examples of what we are doing in Calgary that will set us apart from the rest of the world.

Tickets go on sale Tues. Oct 24 at 6 PM for Nerd Nite #30 happening November 16 — see Eventbrite.com

Our next event of the year is coming up on Thursday, October 19th

When: Thursday, October 19, 2017 (Doors open at 6:30pm, Event ~7pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: $10 online + fees
This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

How to Die in Space
Dr. Raj Bhardwaj, MD, University of Calgary
Syndicated health & medical columnist for CBC Radio & TV

Dr. Raj Bhardwaj

In his presentation, Dr. Raj Bhardwaj covers three separate scenarios about dying in space: What are the risks to human life on a long-term mission, like a mission to Mars? What would happen if you became untethered during a spacewalk, and floated away in your spacesuit? And what if your friends got tired of you, and simply ejected you out an escape hatch – what kills you if you’re “spaced”?

Virtual Reality: What Is It Good For, and Where Is It Going
Anthony Chaston, PhD, Mount Royal University

Dr. Anthony Chaston

Virtual Reality seems to be a catch phrase in the tech world these days, but what is it good for, and where is it going? The term Virtual Reality currently seems to encompass a broad collection of technologies, ranging from cheep stuff that will likely make you nauseous, to expensive equipment that can transport your mind to another place. With the right equipment you can have a lot of fun battling a 9-foot troll in a virtual castle, but is VR useful for things other than gaming? During the presentation, I will describe how, in my lab, we are using VR to lower student anxiety levels, and also how other researchers are using VR to treat conditions like phobias and PTSD. During the second half of the presentation I will discuss where VR is going. Get ready for it, because in just a few years you might be going to virtual meetings for work, and “hanging out” with your friends in Facebook VR.

Far Out! Pushing the boundaries in architecture and city making
Jessie Andjelic & Philip Vandermey, SPECTACLE

Jessie Andjelic

Philip Vandermey

In order to shift the way we think and create design responses that address urgent issues such as climate change, automation, interplanetary exploration, human rights, militarization, and inequality, spatial designers need to create provocative and unexpected solutions. We will present projects that range from surrealistic critique to legitimate proposals on topics and sites including Mars habitation, the relationship between self-driving cars and public space, flood mitigation in architectural and urban design, affordable housing, and rapprochement at the Korean DMZ.