Nerd Nite Los Angeles - November 2024

Nerd Nite is fun-yet-informative lectures at a bar. It's like TED Talks...but with beer.

We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. Thus, Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in more than 100 cities across the globe during which several folks give 20-minute fun-yet-informative and easily accessible presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along.

https://linktr.ee/nerdnitela

FAQ's:

- Doors open at 7pm. Intro at 7:45pm. Presentations at 8pm.

- The Brewyard Beer Company is a 21+ venue.

- There is free street parking surrounding the bar, but we recommend utilizing a ride share service.

PRESENTATION LINE-UP:

PRESENTATION #1: Knott's Berry Farm: A Berry, Berry American Story

By Natalie Nielsen

Summary:  Knott’s Berry Farm is California’s first theme park and a Southern California institution. But how did this humble berry farm become a beloved local and vacation destination? And why has its undeniable charm endured for over 100 years? Join theme park designer and Nerd Nite alumn, Natalie Nielsen (she/her) as she dives into the history of this beloved park. Listen in while she shares her thoughts on Knott’s success, and how it all began with the earnest goal of building community through nourishing food and joyful fun. And also berries. Lots and lots of berries.

Bio:  Natalie Nielsen (she/her) is a theme park designer and enthusiast whose interest in the art and history of themed design dates back to her childhood. She first visited a theme park when she was 6 years old and was instantly hooked. She now has dedicated her life and work to spreading a message of empathy, connectivity and play in everything that she does. Natalie lives in Burbank with her wife, Mae and their cat Ursa Major.


PRESENTATION #2: Why Aliens Will Look Like Us

By Greg Gilbert, Ph.D

Summary: Are we alone in the universe? For the first time in human history, we are poised to find out the answer. But how do we know what to look for? Couldn’t life on other planets or moons be completely unlike anything on Earth? Astrophysicist Greg Gilbert (he/him) will illuminate how following lines of evidence from biochemistry, astronomy, and geophysics will reveal that it is plausible -- perhaps even likely -- that life on other worlds may look remarkably similar to life as we know it. With a little luck, we’ll have our answer in just a few short decades.

Bio:  Greg Gilbert (he/him) is an astrophysicist at UCLA. He has been fascinated by the search for extra-terrestrial life since 1996, when scientists claimed to have discovered microscopic fossils in Martian meteorite ALH 84001. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t actually aliens. Today, as a member of the California Planet Search team, Greg uses some of NASA’s premiere facilities - including the Hubble Space Telescope and the Keck Planet Finder in Hawai’i - to search for and characterize new exoplanets, aka alien worlds orbiting stars other than the Sun. He promises he is a real Human Scientist and not a Lizard Person attempting to hide a government conspiracy.


PRESENTATION #3: Black-and-White and Sprays All Over: How and Why The Skunk Got Its Stripes

By Dr. Ted Stankowich

Summary:  Skunks are one of the most iconic and recognizable animals in our cities, but one of the least understood. Dr. Ted Stankowich (he/him) will enthrall our Nerd Nite audience about these black-and-white misfits and how they evolved their stinky sprays and bold stripes; how they perceive fear in their natural habitat; why predators learn to avoid them but your dog might not - and why you shouldn't be afraid of them around your house.

Bio: Dr. Ted Stankowich (he/him) is a Professor and Director of the Mammal Lab at Cal State Long Beach but got his PhD in Animal Behavior from UCDavis. His work covers the evolution of antipredator defenses and behavior in mammals as well how mammals adapt to living in urban areas. He loves all things mammals, science, evolution, hiking, baseball, travel, and nerding out at the movies. Talk science with Ted on IG (@dr.tedstankowich) and X (@CSULBMammalLab)!