SciPop talk series returns Feb. 1

The 2017 SciPop Talks series kicks off with a presentation by Rebecca Lai at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Adele Hall Learning Commons.

Lai, Susan J. Rosowski Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will provide a comparison between several notable creatures in Harry Potter’s world and a few of Earth’s more magical species in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Among Us.”

The SciPop Talks series, now in its fourth year, combines science and popular culture and builds on the science cafe model. It is organized and sponsored by Nebraska’s Department of Chemistry, University Libraries and Doane College. The first two talks are also sponsored by the Nebraska Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Speakers give interactive 30-minute talks and then take questions.

All talks take place at 7 p.m. in the Adele Hall Learning Commons and are open to the public.

Other SciPop presentations this semester include:

• Feb. 8, “I [heart] Red: Are Humans Hard-Wired to Perceive Certain Colors?” by Mark Griep: Are humans hard-wired to perceive and name a limited number of colors? Find out the answer to that question and the special role of the color red.

• Feb. 15, “Comic Book Physics: The Multiverse (and Other Dimensions)” by Dan Claes: DC Comics and Marvel both imagine a multiverse of alternate realities, while physicists speculate, postulate and search for evidence of other dimensions.

• Feb. 22, “The Healing Power of Plants” by Ellen Paparozzi: It is well known that many medicines have been derived from plants, but not everyone knows that plants can also help people physically, mentally and emotionally. This talk will explore the ways that plants enhance the environment and influence human lives every day.

• March 1, “Antioxidants: The Need-to-Know” by Changmou Xu: Antioxidants are frequently discussed in connection to good health and preventing diseases. Are they really the panacea? This talk will discuss antioxidant foods, their preparation and potential health benefits.

For more information on SciPop Talks – including a list of books, videos, games and other resources for every talk – click here.