Nerd Nite Calgary

Tickets for Nerd Nite Upsilon go on sale Tuesday, September 20th at 6 PM.

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Not your parents space program
How recent developments in the industry will impact the future of space exploration and Mars settlement
Bryan Versteeg, Spacehabs.com

Photo credit: Bryan Versteeg

Join us as Bryan Versteeg explains how recent developments in the industry will impact the future of space exploration and Mars settlement. Bryan is an internationally published futurist and conceptual designer for the space exploration industry. His images created for his website Spacehabs.com, are widely used to portray the potential for the future of human kind. He is also one of the co-founders of the asteroid mining company Deep Space Industries and is responsible for the conceptual images for the the Mars One Mission.

Krysta Dudar

Tickets for Nerd Nite Tau go on sale Tuesday, August 23 at 6 PM. Topics include lightning, LSD research limitations, and the Internet of things. Be there and be square!

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Curing Alcoholism with LSD:
Mysticism and Myth in the History of LSD psychotherapy
Dr. Matthew Oram, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary

Research exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is making a significant comeback in North America, and has been the subject of considerable media attention. Psychedelic research had its previous heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, but came to a close amid turmoil surrounding the increasing recreational use of the drugs. Psychedelic research is therefore a field in close conversation with its past. In this presentation, I will challenge some myths surrounding the history of LSD psychotherapy research, and explore the theory, method, and effectiveness of the most heavily researched form of treatment: “psychedelic therapy” for chronic alcoholism.

What is the Internet of Things?
Why do I need to connect cat poop to the Internet?
Dr. Steve Liang, Associate Professor, University of Calgary

In the near future, millions to billions of small sensors and actuators will be embedded in real-world objects and connected to the Internet forming the Internet of Things (IoT). The basic premise of the IoT is that everyday objects or devices can sense their environment, collect information, and communicate and interact with each other. The changing nature of smart, connected “things” is disrupting value chains and will force organizations to rethink and retool nearly everything they do internally in order to stay competitive. In this talk, Dr. Steve Liang will introduce the Internet of Things concept, example applications, and opportunities.

Lightning: What It Is And How Not To Get Killed By It
Simon Larter, Dobbyn Electrical Services Ltd.

Every year, lightning strikes Canada once for every ten or so Canadians, and the southern Alberta foothills region is one of the most lightning-prone in the country. It stands to reason, then, that educated Calgarians should know a little something about the phenomenon, and how to protect themselves from it (spoiler alert:  don’t go outside during thunderstorms). This presentation explores the basics of lightning and lightning safety, and has the added bonus of including tons of really cool lightning photos.

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Why wet is better!
Underwater archaeology’s contribution to the peopling of the Americas conundrum
Kelly Monteleone, PhD, University of Calgary

Underwater Archeology, Kelly Monteleone

Recent underwater archaeological surveys and excavations have started to reveal more information about how people first arrived in North America.  What routes did these people take? What technology did they have?

Using design and technology to address challenges posed by special needs
Kathryn Simone, Tikkun Olam Makers, Canada

http://tomcalgary.com

More than 1 billion people in the world live with some kind of disability. Yet technological advances driven by market demographics have created an ‘accessibility gap’ that make it difficult for people with physical or developmental impairments to contribute. Harnessing a maker community is a powerful way to address those challenges that have been neglected by the private sector.

A Scientist’s View of Everest
Dr. Trevor Day, Mount Royal University

Dr. Trevor Day at Everest base camp.

In April 2015, a team of 17 people organized by MRU’s Dr. Trevor Day was set to depart to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp (5300m) to try and figure out who gets “acute mountain sickness’ (AMS) and why. Trevor wanted to test a new model of high altitude physiology research – fast and light. Unfortunately, a week before they were to depart, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, killing over 9000 people across the country, and 19 people at Everest Base Camp. The Everest climbing season was closed, the second consecutive year in a row. The country didn’t need tourists, they needed international aid. Trevor and his team canceled the trip. The resilient people of Nepal have worked tirelessly to recover since the earthquake, in the face of devastation, aftershocks and political conflict. Related to Trevor’s AMS research, hear about Kathmandu and how the Everest Base Camp trek is now safe and open for business.

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Climate Change Solutions – Take a Cargo Ship to Your Next Dentist Visit?
Dr. Peter Mahaffy, Professor, The King’s University

Photo credit: Miriam Mahaffy

You’re sailing down the Bow River in a cargo ship, on your way to the dentist, contemplating some of the important, but relatively unknown greenhouse gases in our atmosphere that are changing our climate.  Suddenly you look up, and a 2 watt light bulb goes on. Maybe there’s a smoke and mirrors solution?

A Zombie ate my Epidemiology Textbook
Stephanie Coward, PhD student, University of Calgary

Stephanie Coward

Zombies have been thought of as a worst-case scenario for disease transmission. There are standard epidemiologic principles that are applied to disease outbreaks, but zombies push the threshold of their application. This presentation aims to explain epidemiologic principles and how they apply to the zompocalyspe.

*REFUND NOTICE: We have always tried to accommodate refunds, but it’s not always possible to accommodate last minute requests. To that end going forward, refunds will only be issued by us 48 hours before the event. After that if tickets are not needed, the purchaser is responsible for finding a buyer.

This is an 18+ event.

REFUND NOTICE: We have always tried to accommodate refunds, but it’s not always possible to accommodate last minute requests. To that end going forward, refunds will only be issued by us 48 hours before the event. After that if tickets are not needed, the purchaser is responsible for finding a buyer.

SPEAKERS

The Futuristic World of Traffic and Transportation Systems
Yeatland Wong, City of Calgary

Yeatland Wong, City of Calgary

Ivermectin: A parasite’s worst nightmare
Dr. John Gilleard, Associate Dean, Research, Professor (Parasitology), University of Calgary
Executive Committee Member, NSERC CREATE  Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI)

Dr. John Gilleard, University of Calgary

It’s referred to as a wonder drug, with an impact as big as penicillin and aspirin. Ivermectin is a 2015 Nobel Prize winning discovery that’s got parasites wriggling away. Unearthed on a golf course by scientists in Japan, this drug’s success story impacts multiple continents and connects people in sub-Saharan Africa to cattle in Alberta to Bill and Melinda Gates. Join the parasite professor, Dr. John Gilleard, as he explains how a little-known drug is making a world of difference.

I bought my research lab at Walmart: The rapidly changing face of wearable technology
Dr. Reed Ferber, Associate Professor, University of Calgary, Director: Running Injury Clinic

Dr. Reed Ferber, University of Calgary

Rapid advances in technology now allow researchers to utilize incredibly sophisticated (and relatively inexpensive) scientific tools that can be purchased at your corner store.  This new tech also allows researchers the opportunity to get their research out of their laboratories and translate it directly into the real world.  After all, runners don’t get injured in my research lab!  This talk will discuss these rapid advancements in technology and the future of analysing how a person walks or runs to determine the root cause of an injury and predict injuries before they happen – but “Big Brother” will have to watch you to a certain degree!

This is an 18+ event.

REFUND NOTICE: We have always tried to accommodate refunds, but it’s not always possible to accommodate last minute requests. To that end going forward, refunds will only be issued by us 48 hours before the event. After that if tickets are not needed, the purchaser is responsible for finding a buyer.

SPEAKERS

Inventing a Fantasy Language: The History and Theory of Klingon
Joseph W. Windsor, PhD candidate, University of Calgary

Joseph W. Windsor, PhD candidate in Linguistics

Using examples from the Constructed Language, Klingon, we explore what goes into creating a unique fictional language; why you might want to; and, some tips to get you started on inventing your own language for use in creative media like fiction writing, film making, or enhancing an RPG (etc.).

The Life of Pi – 4,000 years old and still solving problems
Dr. Peter Zvengrowski, Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary

Dr. Peter Zvengrowski, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Statistics, Pure Mathematics

Celebrated by millions people around the world, Pi-Day on March 14 brings out the math geek in all of us. To honour this special occasion, Dr. Peter Zvengrowski, with the University of Calgary will take us around the world to explore the purpose of Pi, from the Great Pyramid of Giza, to a stein of beer, to the German 10 Mark bill, and to the cutting edges of computer technology. Pi’s early beginnings date back to the ancient Greeks and Chinese, but did you know recent developments come from India, Russia and – of course – Canada! Join us, more Pi please!

This is an 18+ event.

REFUND NOTICE: We have always tried to accommodate refunds, but it’s not always possible to accommodate last minute requests. To that end going forward, refunds will only be issued by us 48 hours before the event. After that if tickets are not needed, the purchaser is responsible for finding a buyer.

SPEAKERS

Beyond Fashion Technology
Maria Elena Hoover, MakeFashion
What started as a small community event turned out to be the only runway show of its kind. Maria Elena will talk about opening the doors in Western Canada for wearable technology fashion, creating a diverse community of designers, artists, engineers and enthusiasts whose pieces are being shown at runways around the world.

This is Your Brain on Scrabble
Dr. Sophia Van Hees, University of Calgary

Competitive Scrabble players dedicate many hours each week to strategically memorising lists of words, solving anagrams, and facing opponents in game play. This talk will discuss how this long-term training affects the way Scrabble experts use their brains in both language and non-language tasks. This research can help us understand brain training, neuro-rehabilitation, and more!

Vaccines – The truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Dr. Glen Armstrong, University of Calgary

There are a lot of misconceptions about vaccines and immunization. Dr. Armstrong plans to dispel these concerns by introducing a bit of history about how vaccines were discovered and evolution of the anti-vaccine movement. He will also discuss the different types of vaccines, how they work, the diseases they are intended to prevent, why it is important to maintain a high level of “herd immunity”, and the reasons why many do get vaccinated.

Tickets are now on sale for Nerd Nite Nu (Ni) — we are the nite that says “ni”!

When: Thursday, January 14, 2016 @ 7pm (doors at 6:30 PM)
Where: The Wild Rose Brewery Taproom*
Tickets: $10 online – SOLD OUT
* Waitlist sign up on Eventbrite also.

This is an 18+ event.
*Important*: the roads around Wild Rose Brewery are under construction. You can find updated directions and info here http://www.wildrosebrewery.com/contact-us/

SPEAKERS

Frickin’ Laser Beams
Dr. Ryan Yau, Mitchell Eye Centre
Lasers are more than just dolphin mounted weapons and Death Star centrepieces.  They can be every nerds best friend.  Personally, I love firing them at eyeballs.  Come learn about how they work and the many different types used in eye care.

Are we alone? Why it’s so hard to find ET
Jason Nishiyama, Director – RASC Calgary Centre Wilson Coulee Observatory

Ever wonder why we haven’t found evidence of intelligent life in the universe? Was Fermi overly pessimistic or optimistic when he coined his paradox? Does the Drake equation really tell us anything? What are the biological, sociological and technical factors that prevent us from finding ET? Jason will look at these factors that make it so darn hard to find signals from other civilizations in the universe.

The Superhero Maker: Everything you wanted to know about radiation and you
Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, University of Calgary

Radiation exposure is a very popular plot device used by writers to create some of our most iconic superheroes. Ionizing radiation (IR) is, in fact, everywhere, in the form of atmosphere-penetrating cosmic rays, environmentally prevalent radioisotopes such as radon and radiation-based military, medical and energy technologies. There is no biological mechanism to prevent the damage caused to cells by IR; instead, life has evolved exquisite mechanisms to resolve it once it has formed. The health outcome of IR exposure is very much dependent on the dose and type of radiation. We will talk about how to interpret units of radiation, how it impacts our DNA, what that can lead to (in terms of health) and the most common sources of radiation exposure for humans (who do not wear a cape).

Tickets are now on sale SOLD OUT for Nerd Nite Mu, Thursday Nov 19 at Wild Rose Brewery.  See fascinating speakers on child language development, research balloons for space science and antibacterial Nano-chemistry.

Get your tickets now:

When: Thursday, November 19, 2015 @ 7pm (doors at 6:30 PM)
Where: The *Wild Rose Brewery Taproom*
Tickets: SOLD OUT $10 online – $15 at the door – We have a waitlist on Eventbrite in case any tickets become available.

This is an 18+ event.

SPEAKERS

Susan Geffen, PhD – University of Calgary

Dr. Valerie San Juan & Dr. Susan Geffen

Interpreting language can be challenging because meaning is not only conveyed through the words we use but also through the way we use them. In this talk, we explore how children learn to use different sources of information to interpret conversational language. For example, how infants learn to distinguish sentence types (e.g., statements and questions) and, later, how preschoolers use information about a speaker’s desire to infer the intended meaning of a sentence.

What’s hiding in the “vacuum” of outer space?
Christopher Cully, PhD – University of Calgary

Dr. Christopher Cully

The “vacuum” of outer space is teeming with particles. Charged particles (plasma) from the sun, heated to 100 000 C, slam into our planet at a million km/h. Earth’s protective magnetic field deflects the particles away from us, but at a price: the electromagnetic forces continually rip off part of our atmosphere (about a tonne each day). In Canada, we have a front seat to the action. The northern lights are the visible consequence of this battle, and some of the most energetic particles rain down into our skies. I’ll talk about the world of space plasma physics, and how we observe it from the ground, from balloons, and from satellites.

Mickey Mouse on caffeine, a solution to the antibiotic crisis?
Belinda Heyne, PhD – University of Calgary

An antibiotic apocalypse is imminent! This sounds certainly like a bad prophecy, but WHO (the world health organization, not the UK rock band) recognizes that antibiotic resistance endangers populations everywhere in the world. With 1 in 9 hospitalized Canadian contracting a nosocomial infection, it is critical to find effective substitutes to prevent bacterial infection. What if destroying bacteria was easy as turning the light on?

Nerd Nite Lambda happens on October 15 — and it’s sure to be a blast!

When: Thursday, October 15, 2015 @ 7pm (doors at 6:30 PM)
Where: The *Wild Rose Brewery Taproom*
Tickets: $10 online, $15 at the door – SOLD OUT!!

This is an 18+ event.

*Important*: the roads around Wild Rose Brewery are under construction. You can find updated directions and info here http://www.wildrosebrewery.com/contact-us/

SPEAKERS

Co-opting Sexy Time: Reimagining the Canadian Brothel
Amee Barber, PhD

Dr. Amee Barber

In her talk, Amee Barber proposes an alternative business model for sex work that will provoke people to think outside of familiar frames of reference for prostitution and consider what could be, not what is or has been. This model could legally operate within Canada and prioritizes sex workers’ rights and needs while advocating for sexual diversity and eroticism.

The Russians aren’t coming: Who claims what in the Arctic and is it important anyway?
Martin Pratt, Director, Bordermap Consulting

Martin Pratt

Ever since Russian scientists planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole in 2007, the world’s media – and some politicians – have sought to portray the process of defining rights over the Arctic Ocean continental shelf as a volatile scramble for resources and even a “New Cold War”. This talk aims to separate the facts from the hyperbole, to clarify what’s at stake, and to identify how the Arctic might eventually be divided and/or shared.

How did THAT get in my Beer (and, what is THAT)?
Leland Jackson, PhD, University of Calgary

Dr. Leland Jackson

If beer is made according to the Bavarian version of the German Beer Purity Law of 1516, the beer will include hops, malt and water. In 500 years a lot about the main ingredient (by volume) of beer has changed. Discover the connection between the waste we produce and the beer we drink.

Further details about presentation topics and speakers to be announced soon.