Tickets are on sale for only $10 for our 50th event on Thursday, September 26!
Dean Sauer
Title: “The Disco Inferno in the Sea: The importance of phytoplankton and bioluminescence in our oceans.”
Dive into the vibrant world of oceanic bioluminescence. We’ll explore the vital role of phytoplankton, with a special focus on the bioluminescent species Pyrocystis fusiformis. Discover how these tiny marine plankton light up the seas and help support the entire ocean ecosystem and why they are far more than just glowing waves.
Dean Sauer is an ocean lover, science enthusiast, entrepreneur, and proud dad of two. He’s fascinated by all things that glow and finds joy in watching bioluminescent plankton light up the night. After years of working in biotech, Dean decided to dive into the world of marine biology and founded PyroFarms, a company dedicated to cultivating and sharing bioluminescent phytoplankton. When he’s not tinkering with his latest projects, you might find him lost in the mountains. Well, he hopes someone does.
Dr. Jeremy Long
Title: “I do dance now, I mek science moves“
Linking science and pop culture can serve as a platform to attract underrepresented students to STEM fields. Such efforts can empower underrepresented students to consider scientific careers and to foster environmental stewardship. This should be especially true in a country like Jamaica where the shared love for music and dance is world-renowned. However, these linkages continue to be rare. Thus, our team has been using dance and movement to connect Jamaican youth to science and the environment via Dancehall. I will share highlights of our “Mek Moves” project that blended science and dance for hundreds of children through a partnership between dance creatives and scientists. Also, I will ask you to dance with me.
Dr. Long is a Full Professor of Ecology at SDSU. As part of a Fulbright Scholarship during his 2024 sabbatical, he traveled to Jamaica to study coral reefs and lead outreach efforts. This project merges Dr. Long’s professional interests with his personal interest in Dancehall. His interest as a guest in this vibrant culture began in Island Fusion dance classes at CultureShock San Diego. He became more interested during his last sabbatical in Sweden when he found a dance studio in Gothenburg with a dancehall emphasis. But perhaps the most influential period was during the pandemic when Dr. Long found joy and exercise through interactions with Jamaican dancers offering Zoom classes from their homes. Because Dancehall has meant so much to him, he hopes to give his time and expertise to work with Jamaicans to help excite students about science and the environment.
Dr. Jackson Vane
Title: “Portrayal of (Bad) Medicine in TV and Movies”
Have you ever watched a TV show or movie and wonder, “Hey is this how it really happens in the hospital?” or “Is there enough blood on this injury?”. The talk will go over what Hollywood gets right and wrong in medicine.
Jackson is not only a pediatric emergency medicine doctor but played one on TV. He got in trouble by the director for correcting the actors on how to say certain words.