UNMC to bring science cafes to Omaha young professionals

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is launching a series of public conversations on scientific topics designed to reach out to young professionals in the Omaha community.Science cafes take place in casual settings and invite the public to engage in face-to-face conversations with scientists in a comfortable environment. The Medical Center piloted the program in February with two cafés focused on neuroscience.

"This format leads to face-to-face discussions in a more informal, fun environment," said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC. "We're hopeful that the science cafés will appeal to young adults and help re-introduce them to science."

Attendance at the cafes was better than anticipated, said Kacie Gerard, special events associate at UNMC. The first cafe drew about 80 people, and the second had close to 200.

The Medical Center will now sponsor a cafe on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning today at 7 p.m. at The Slowdown with Michael Feloney speaking on "The Science of Sex."

May's cafe will be on May 5 with Kendra Schmid speaking on "The Science of Attractiveness" at 7 p.m. at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. David Crouse will present on "The Science of Regenerative Medicine" on June 2.

"Both of our speakers are young doctors who I think are going to be great with this crowd," Gerard said of Feloney and Schmid.

The cafes last about an hour, with the scientist giving a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. Pizza will be provided for the first 50 people by the Nebraska Coalition of Lifesaving Cures.

The Science Cafes are part of an effort by UNMC and other groups to increase the population's science literacy.

"A public armed with facts and understanding of science is better able to appreciate and apply scientific advances and to vote knowledgeably on ballot issues and initiatives related to science," said James Turpen, the leader of the science literacy team. "As the state's academic health sciences center, it's natural for us to be among the leading proponents for science literacy in Nebraska."

The cafes specifically target the young professional crowd, focusing on ages 21 through 40, Gerard said. UNMC thought The Slowdown was a fitting, well-known venue for the events.

For more information, contact Gerard at 559-4319 or visit the program's Web site, unmc.edu/sciencecafe.