@boulder coffee, 100 Alexander St, Rochester
6:30-9:00 PM
Presentations begin at 7pm. Get there early to grab a seat, something to eat, and a drink.
Check out this month’s speakers!
Rachel Glade presents: Dirt (usually) moves downhill: Geomorphology and the science of scenery
Earth’s surface is constantly being sculpted by wind, water, ice, and gravity. Come learn about how processes like river, hillslope, and glacial erosion move sediment to form landscapes over timescales of second (like a sudden landslide) to millions of years (like very slow soil creep).
Rachel Glade is assistant professor at the University of Rochester who studies the physics of sediment transport and how it shapes landscapes on Earth and other planets. Her lab does a combination of experiments, computer modeling, theory, and fieldwork to study everything from river erosion to pattern formation in icy soils. Rachel is originally from Miami and discovered the field of Geomorphology in college because the word sounded cool. She also plays the piano and guitar and likes to hike with her dog, Cyrano de Bergerac!
Carly Silver presents: Game of Thongs
Ever wondered what the Latin word for “penis” is? Or why the ancient Egyptians thought masturbation created the world? Here is a brief, totally NSFW look at some of the ways ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians thought and talked about sex, nudity, genitals, and more.
Carly Silver is a public historian and editor based in Rochester. She’s written for dozens of different publications, including The Atlantic, Smithsonian, JSTOR Daily, and more. Her own experience ranges from selling dog collars for the American Kennel Club to spending nearly a decade editing romance novels for Harlequin.
Diana Tedone presents: Not a Headline: What Surviving a Kayaking Accident Taught Me About Living
Deep down many of us wonder: what would we do if the next 40 minutes of your life made the difference between life or death? On August 15, 2025 I lived those 40 minutes hanging onto an overturned kayak in the middle of Lake Ontario. This is a tale of grit, resourcefulness, a little bit of cursing and a whole lot of faith — and about what living looks like after survival.
When not kayaking I’m a nurse, diabetes educator and somehow doing all of the above while having AuDHD. Gym rat who’d love a damn good taco right about now. Chaotic good level 5 nerd. Amateur comic, lifelong adventurer who dreams of touring America in a skoolie.
@boulder coffee, 100 Alexander St, Rochester
6:30-9:00 PM
Presentations begin at 7pm. Get there early to grab a seat, something to eat, and a drink.
Check out this month’s speakers!
RJ Millena presents: Strepsiptera: A Real-Life Xenomorph
When describing the insect order Strepsiptera (common name “twisted-wing parasites”), one might think that they came straight from imaginations belonging to the likes of Ridley Scott or H.P. Lovecraft. As insects that can infect and develop within the abdomens of a huge diversity of other insects, strepsipterans exhibit fascinating evolutionary and biological phenomena that have perplexed scientists for decades. This talk will serve as an overview of what entomologist RJ Millena believes are the most exciting aspects of the twisted-wing parasites. From matriphagy, to sexual dimorphism, to traumatic insemination, to host manipulation—the story of Strepsiptera is one for the ages.
RJ is an entomologist specializing in the evolution, biology, and taxonomy of the twisted-wing parasites. Her doctoral studies at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC were focused on these delightfully bizarre insects, and she has traveled the world to find them both afield and in museum collections. Now at the University of Rochester as a postdoctoral fellow, RJ works closely with Natasha Vacca in the Mora-Kepfer Uy Trop Bio Lab to examine how strepsipteran infection can alter its insect hosts. Outside of the lab, RJ spends time practicing invertebrate & reptile husbandry, improving her flying trapeze skills at ROC City Circus, and dancing ballet. For more fun info on Strepsiptera, RJ’s science, or resources for students, see rjmillena.com.
Natasha Vacca presents: Puppeteering parasites and zombie bug brains
Parasites are often nicknamed ‘nature’s neurobiologists’ due to their incredible ability to infect a wide variety of hosts and re-program the host nervous system to fit their own selfish needs. One such ‘puppetmaster’ is an insect parasite here in upstate New York (maybe even in your backyard!) that infects its social paper wasp host. The parasite not only affects the wasp’s behavior creating an isolated ‘zombie’, but also extends the host lifespan to be 9-13 times longer. In this talk, Natasha explains how she leverages this host-parasite system to understand how these puppeteers defy the nature of aging and control their host to their advantage.
Natasha obtained her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester in 2025 and is now a Biology Ph.D. student in the U of R Biology department. She has spent the past three years in the Mora-Kepfer Uy lab conducting research on the mechanisms of manipulation in insect host-parasite systems, with special emphasis on neural pathways and wasp brain dissection. In her downtime, she loves to read horror novels, cuddle with her cat Oreo, and play video games with her fiancée.
Amanda Ashley presents: From beats to bonds: Harmonizing our community impact
The roadmaps we carry, the detours we endure, the paths we pave forward; as great explorers of human kind, let us set forth on a grand expedition to dive into the depths of connection, belonging, and the impactful ways music can shape us. In this talk, we’ll uncover music’s profound ability to connect us to our senses, to our past and present selves, and to a community in which we all can thrive.
Amanda Ashley is a Long Island–born singer-songwriter who began composing at fourteen and performing publicly by sixteen. After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, she became an active performer and event coordinator in Rochester, NY, where she helped cultivate community, education, and artistic opportunities for local musicians. Her music blends pop, soul, and R&B influences, supported by years of touring and multiple releases—including work with the Amanda Ashley Trio and, more recently, her original duo project SHADES. Beyond performing, Amanda has hosted the “Afternoon Cocktail Talk Show” podcast/videocast, contributed as a columnist for Rochester Woman Online, and currently serves as Program Director for Girls Rock Rochester, empowering youth through music education and creative expression.
@boulder coffee, 100 Alexander St, Rochester
6:30-9:00 PM
Presentations begin promptly at 7pm. Get there early to grab a seat, something to eat, and a drink.
Check out this month’s speakers:
Al Uy presents – Survival of the fairest in birds: Risking life and wing to woo potential mates
Darwin’s theory of natural selection is colloquially described as survival of the fittest, the perpetual struggle to find food while also avoiding becoming food. However, plants and animals must ultimately reproduce after surviving. So, survival of the fittest really means first surviving then ultimately finding suitable mates. In this Nerd Nite presentation, Al Uy, a biologist from the University of Rochester, will discuss the crazy lengths that birds go through to win the admiration of potential mates. He will focus on his long-term work on the most flamboyant casanovas of the sky, the bowerbirds — a family of birds that have evolved dazzling creative displays solely to woo females.
For over 30 years, Al Uy has worked throughout the tropics to explore the evolution and ecology of birds, traveling to remote sites across the globe. He also translates his science into conservation initiatives by partnering with indigenous communities to establish conservation areas in threatened ecosystems. Al is currently Professor and Chair of Biology at the University of Rochester. For more information, check out his website (https://tropbiolab.org/JACU/) or documentary on his work streaming on Paramount+ (https://www.paramountplus.com/…/eueKIhsVvaxyLjtcrtx2jm…/)
Megan Storm presents – A Simpler Time, Through Rose-Colored Glasses: A True Crime Podcasters Look at the “Good Old Days”
The past often feels safer, quieter, and easier to understand. Through real cases from decades ago, True Crime podcaster Megan Storm challenges that belief and examines how nostalgia and limited information shaped public perception of crime. This talk explores why the ” good old days ” weren’t always safer, and how modern technology and investigative advancements are helping bring awareness to old cases while making today’s society safer.
Megan Storm hosts a weekly True Crime Podcast named “A Simpler Time True Crime” where she shines a spotlight on older, unsolved cases. She is passionate about and committed to creating ethical content in the true crime space, often in partnership with victim’s families. Megan also works full time as a program director at a local nonprofit. In her downtime she likes to travel, read, play the NYT Spelling Bee, and try new recipes that involve a million specialized ingredients she will only use once.
Laura Nespoli presents – Story as a salve in trying times
Everyday, we are steeped in stories that color our outlook on the world. But if we aren’t intentional about the attention we give to the stories around us, we forfeit the power to use them to fuel strength, resilience and empowerment. Your story can actually be a salve for hard times, not an underline to them. Learn how to use the neuroscience of storytelling and some simple story structures to rewrite your narrative and recolor your perspective.
Laura Nespoli’s purpose is to unite people and inspire movement through storytelling. As founder of story consultancy, Meshin Movement, creator of the upcoming Story For Growth app (launching Jan ‘26), and public speaker, she helps leaders bridge strategic narrative with personal and business growth, proving authentic leadership begins with knowing your story. Learn more at MeshinMovement.com
A mostly monthly lecture series of entertaining-yet-informative presentations. Learning is oh so much more fun when attempted with friends. Expect an evening of several short presentations with room for a few audience questions. Like a Ted Talk but more social because FYI it’s at a bar.