Science Cafés
Bringing together local researchers and the community
What are Science Cafés?
Science Cafés are interactive live events that take place in casual settings, are open to everyone from the community, and feature an engaging conversation with researchers about a particular topic. We at the UMassMed Postdoctoral Association (UMPA) believe that sharing our science with a wider audience is a great way to showcase the excellent work at UMass Medical School.
Science Cafés are designed to discuss the fun questions that researchers ask and the new and innovative ideas that may lead to therapies in the future. Engaging with the public also is a great way for scientists to gain a broader perspective of their research.
Why Science Cafés?
We hope that through Science Cafés members of the community can chat with local scientists working on various topics like diabetes, neurological disorders, cardiovascular health, gene editing, infectious diseases, etc. Science Cafés are a great way to learn about the science taking place in the area, its relevance to society, and ask all the questions you may have.
“We aim to demystify science by bringing together local scientists and the public to discuss how science applies to everyday life,” Ana Maldonado-Contreras, PhD
Testimonials from attendees
“Grateful that you are offering these topics and others. Very well organized!”
“The presenters are well prepared and their presentations accessible. I appreciated (them) taking the time to answer all questions. “
“The presentations and the follow up questions were engaging and thought provoking. Thanks for providing the learning stimulation. I am curious to know more.”
“Both talks were excellent! As a type 2 diabetes patient, I was pleased to see there is some hope for the future. Keep it up!”
“I thought both speakers gave excellent talks at just the right level that generated lots of great discussion. Very well done!”
Attend a Science Café!
The UMass Medical School Postdoctoral Association (UMPA) are the hosts of the Science Cafés. Below are the upcoming Science Café events taking place virtually over Zoom.
“Food and Cannabinoids as Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
Our researchers, Dr. Mario Meza-Segura and Dr. Ana Maldonado-Contreras, will discuss their work on designing diets and probiotics which can rebalance the gut microbiota and even the use of cannabinoids as a natural way to improve health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.
Please RSVP here
Prepare the Army: Immune Cell Response and Malaria
Understanding the body’s response to pathogens is essential in mitigating infections. Our first speaker, Havisha Honwad, will discuss the mechanism of immune cell activation. Next, Dr. Theresa Ramalho will present on how studying the body's response to parasitic infections like malaria can help design better adjunct anti-malarial therapy.
Please RSVP here
“A S(p)lice of the piRNA: What Small RNAs Can Teach Us”
The UMass Chan Postdoctoral Association (UMPA) would like to invite you to a virtual science outreach event on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at 6:30 PM via zoom:
“A S(p)lice of the piRNA: What Small RNAs Can Teach Us”
Originally involved in the maintenance of male fertility, piRNAs are a unique class of small RNAs which have been recently implicated in other processes such as epigenetic regulation, virus defense, and human diseases including cancer. Our speakers, Milky Abajorga (Luban and Theurkauf labs) and Dr. Maya Spichal (Mello lab), will discuss how piRNAs are made in cells and their role in fertility using various model organisms such as the mouse, worms, and koalas!
Date: Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please RSVP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdo3Ijm5nnuMoftyT3Ygg-7qypVyPZ6GEDamihg78sLLuBUiw/viewform
“Neural Symphony: Connections matter!”
For a healthy mind, proper communication and connection between cells in the brain (neurons), is needed. Our fellows Dr. Shankar Ramachandran (Michael Francis lab) and Dr. Sebastian Werneburg (Dorothy Schafer’s lab) will discuss their research on brain signaling and developing protective gene therapeutics to preserve functions of neuronal networks in brain disorders like Multiple Sclerosis.
Date: Thursday, December 2nd, 2021
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceUR7VzJMJjIl5GamZ8V5Q0cqlXoyHzotJbKHlxYycgBC_eg/viewform
“Shh! The Art of Silence in Science and Disease”
Genetic diseases and cancers are caused by alterations in our genes. Our fellows, Dr. Dan O’Reilly (Khvorova Lab) and Samantha Sarli (Watts Lab) will discuss their exciting research on how altered genes can be silenced to correct genetic diseases and cancer. Please feel free to invite your colleagues, friends, and family interested in learning about this topic in an informal setting.
Date: Wednesday, October 27th, 2021
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYkMX328S7uyKFxuXyX_sCoIwxqQwoxa1yzZ2unGsvrXQong/viewform
“It’s on the inside that counts: The microbiome in health and disease”
There are plenty of tiny organisms that live in our digestive tract and affect our health and well-being. Our fellows, Dr. Benedikt Mortzfeld (Bucci lab) and Sage Foley (McCormick lab), will discuss their exciting research on understanding how our gut microbiome can act as both superheroes and villains. Please feel free to invite your colleagues, friends, and family interested in learning about this topic in an informal setting.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdj2pBq6-wPXvk8OnLBGXfICSwln-s8Avd4m6gsda4nmUipJQ/viewform
Diabetes, finding cures for all types!
Join us in a discussion on innovative research strategies to find potential treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes presented by our UmassMed postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Sushobhana Bandyopadhyay, postdoctoral fellow in the Brehm lab, and Dr. Emmanouela Tsagkaraki, postdoctoral fellow in the Czech lab (please find a brief description of the talks below). Please feel free to invite your colleagues, friends, and family interested in learning about this topic in an informal setting.
Date: Wednesday, May 26th, 2021
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScd12xXAf7V7XkIkxLsZVCdIr7as_t2EZNuHrscZLKU2rkFfw/viewform
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Past Event Recordings
Below are past recordings of Science Cafés that have been held virtually.