coffee and bagels
If you have never been, you have to check out Saturday Morning Science! This is a wonderful, public-friendly talk by researchers on topics of general interest. Plus, the speakers include information on their own research. The talks last about an hour with Q&A time at the end. The series is offered on the MU campus in Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center, every fall and spring semester. Bonus: Get there early and have donuts or bagels with coffee or juice. Since no food or drink is allowed in the auditorium, allow time to finish before the talk. Parking is free in the MU parking garages. Virginia Avenue Garage is the closest, and generally the best place to park. If there is a home football game, and especially if other events are going on that weekend, University Avenue Garage is the best alternative.

If you miss a talk, all of them are recorded, so you do not have to miss out. Talks from previous semesters are in the Multimedia section of the Saturday Morning Science page. Alternately, many talks are available for free on iTunes.

The first two talks (brain functioning and clean water) are done, and there are nine left! People of all ages attend these talks, including high school students and young kids. Since young kids may have trouble sitting for the hour, bring quiet things for them to do and/or sit where you can step out if they get too restless, and they should be fine. No science background is required. The rest of the schedule this semester is as follows:

September 20: The Eclipse of a Generation by Angela Speck
A total solar eclipse is coming to the U.S. in 2017. Come learn about eclipses and why EVERYONE should be excited about this coming celestial treat.

September 27: MRSA: When an Opportunist Makes its Own Opportunity by Jeffrey Bose
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a global public health problem. In a world where antibiotics are failing us, is there a chance to stop it?

October 4: A Peek Inside Magnetic Material: Nanotechnology at Play by Deepak Singh
Nanotechnology has become an integral part of our everyday living. In this talk, Deepak will give you a nano-peek inside magnetic material of practical importance.

October 11: The Mysteries of How Science Gets Done by Steve Alexander
Who are the scientists? How are they trained and how is research funded? We will discuss the reality of how scientific advancement occurs.

October 18: Confessions of a Genome Sequencing Addict by Jerry Taylor
“Next-generation sequencing” is revolutionizing the rate at which genomic data are being collected, and data generation is becoming addictive. Here we discuss the process of making biological insights from vast amounts of biological data.

November 1: Regulating from Here to Eternity: Decision-Making Under Uncertainty by Kathleen Trauth
How can we comply with regulations for the disposal of radioactive materials when future conditions and activities are uncertain? Come and find out.

November 8: What’s Beneath the Sand? Excavating the Fortress at Ayn Gharandal, Jordan by Carrie Duncan
What was life like as a Roman soldier on the Empire’s eastern edge? Excavations at Gharandal uncover exciting and surprising finds beneath the sand.

November 15: More than a Gut Feeling: Microbes and Your Mind by Catherine Hagan
Trillions of microbes inhabit our bodies and they are not just neutral passengers. Learn how bacteria in your gut may affect your brain, mood, and behavior.

December 6: The Secret Lives of Membrane Proteins by Jason Cooley
How do molecular machines function in greasy membrane environments? Come learn why the challenges of this environment can facilitate Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.