Science Faculty To Present at Pints of Science

The Tampa community can learn from UTampa faculty about solar-powered sea slugs and the chemistry behind fine art at two upcoming Pints of Science lectures hosted by New World Tampa on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The first lecture will be at New World’s flagship brewery, and the latter will be held at the Safety Harbor Arts and Music Center.

Michael Middlebrooks, associate professor of biology, studies photosynthetic sacoglossan sea slugs in Florida and the Caribbean. These slugs steal chloroplasts from their algal food, which they then use to photosynthesize and make their own energy in a phenomenon called kleptoplasty. He has shared his research several times with Pints of Sciences audiences as well as in a TED Talk.

Christine Theodore, associate professor of chemistry, will speak on the intrinsic connection between chemistry and art. Though Theodore’s primary area of research is the chemistry of nature as a source of new pharmaceuticals, she teaches a travel course titled Chemistry and Art, where students learn how the two seemingly different fields overlap in practice. The course, which culminates in a trip to Italy to see class concepts demonstrated in widely recognizable works of art, touches on the chemistry behind fresco murals, art forgery and the composition of paint.

Theodore has previously presented at Pints of Science three times and said it is one of her favorite events to participate in. “The crowd is always attentive and asks amazing questions,” she said. “Science can seem so inaccessible to non-scientists, and that inaccessibility can lead to distrust.… We can combat that by meeting people where they are and sharing our work with them.”

Pints of Science was created by Nancy Bird ’93, a UTampa alumna and retired NICU nurse, as a way to bridge the scientific community to actionable outcomes. Bird owns and operates New World Tampa with her husband Steve Bird MBA ’91.

Tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the door; the event often sells out ahead of time. Tickets for the Nov. 11 event can be purchased here for $8 plus fees, and tickets for Nov. 19 can be purchased here for $15 plus fees. It is recommended to arrive early as seating is limited.