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Galileo's Science Cafe
Hear about the latest findings surrounding hot topics in science and medicine that affect our everyday lives and the decisions that we make. Join your family and friends for a free, casual, interactive science discussion. Learn from the experts and speak with them.
Evening schedule
Mason welcomes visitors who follow our recommended health and safety practices. Masks are not required for Galileo's Science Cafe, but ample auditorium seating is usually available for our guests who wish to socially distance themselves.
In-person guests, join us at Verizon Auditorium on the SciTech Campus. Free parking for each session is provided for our guests across the street from the Verizon Auditorium in the Occoquan Lot. Remote guests will receive the Zoom link via email after registering.
For in-person guests
- 6 to 6:50 p.m. Check-in at the Verizon Auditorium Lobby, then pick up your free light dinner and beverage. Enjoy dinner with other Galileo's Science Cafe guests in breakout rooms adjacent to the auditorium lobby
- 6:30 p.m. Auditorium seating begins
- 7 to 8 p.m Scientific discussion
- 8 to 8:30 p.m. Ask the presenters! Questions from the audience
- 8:30 to 8:45 p.m. Meet the scientist and networking reception (optional)
- 9 p.m. Session closes
For remote guests
- 6:30 p.m. Log-in begins via Zoom
- 7 to 8 p.m. Scientific discussion
- 8 to 8:30 p.m. Q&A from the audience
- 8:30 to 8:45 p.m. Meet the scientist and networking reception (optional)
- 9 p.m. Session closes
Thank you for attending the 2023-2024 Galileo’s Science Café sessions. Stay tuned for new sessions coming Fall 2024.
Explore previous sessions
Novel Antimicrobials/Antivirals
Presented on March 21, 2024 by Barney Bishop
Bishop is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focus includes: Humans and other animals produce a diverse array of biomolecules with potential biomedical applications. He is interested in studying the immune systems of animal species, primarily reptiles (e.g. American alligator and Komodo dragon), and identifying the molecules that they produce to defend against infection. Specifically, he is focused on antimicrobial peptides, which are essentially small proteins that are produced by the animals as part of their immune response to defend against infection. Antimicrobial peptides play complex roles in immunity that include exerting a direct antimicrobial effect as well as modulating inflammation and other aspects of immune response. Bishop's efforts have focused on the identification and development of novel antimicrobial peptides that may provide the basis for developing new antibacterial and antiviral therapeutics.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Spatiotemporal Methodologies for Climate Factor Analysis
Presented on January 18, 2024 by Qian Liu, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Geoinformation Science.
Liu’s presentation focused on leveraging AI, spatiotemporal and data fusion methodologies to analyze climate factors and climate change. She prestented three research examples: (1). Using to deep-learning model to retrieve cloud fractions; (2). Spatiotemporal analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on air pollution and nighttime light; (3). Generating atmospheric temperature from satellite data for climate change study.
View the presentation here:
How to find Earth 2.0
Presented on November 16, 2023 by Peter Plavchan, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
View the presentation here:
A two-pronged approach for triple negative breast cancer: building new kinds of drugs for the next generation of breast cancer targets
Presented on Thursday, October 19, 2023 by Amanda Haymond Still, Research Assistant Professor, School of Systems Biology
Consolidated Research Project on the food systems transformation summit dialogues in Ghana, Rwanda and Malawi
Presented on Thursday, February 16, 2023 by Maction Komwa, Assistant Professor Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science and Paul Thangata, Ph.D. Head, Hub for Agricultural Policy Action (HAPA) at AGRA - Sustainably Growing Africa's Food Systems.
Human–dog relationships as a working framework for exploring human-robot affiliation
Presented on Thursday, January 26, 2023 by Frank Krueger, Professor, School of Systems Biology, and Kelsey Mitchell, M. S.
How genomics helps us to save endangered species
Presented on Thursday, November 17, 2022 by Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Senior Research Scientist, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
Eavesdropping on the whispers of cancer to find new strategies to treat metastasis
Presented on Thursday, October 20, 2022 by Lance Liotta, Professor, School of Systems Biology, and Marissa Howard, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM).
The James Webb Space Telescope: What Discoveries Await Us?
Presented on Thursday, September 15, 2022 by Michael E. Summers, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
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