Nerd Nite #65: Norse Sisters, Greek Mythology, & Symbiosis
Mythology is a reflection of the human psyche, useful for explaining things so that even drunks can understand them. In this context, Brian uses Norse mythology to explain the role of three scientific disciplines (phylogenetics, ecology, and evolution) in wildlife conservation.
Brian is a Grateful Dead fan and connoisseur of fine tequilas. When the Dead aren’t touring, or when consuming tequila is unwise, he is a research professor at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
***
Beth Lenz – PhD Candidate at Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
SymbioSEAS: Science, education, art, and society
2018 was the Year of the Reef, Pantone declared 2019 the living coral – find out ways scientists and artists in Oahu have come together to share their perspective on tropical coral reef ecosystems in the upcoming exhibit SymbioSEAS: Connecting Science, Education, Art, and Society through Coral Reefs.
Beth’s spirit animal is a hummingbird.
Posted in 
Nerd Nite #64: STARS, SLAVERY, & ART
****
Nerd Nite #63 – Documentaries, Camp Microbe, Gaming
***
Meet Me: A Mini Documentary Series
Robert Pina
Hello Nerd Nite, I am the editor, Robert Piña of Red Visual Magazine and I am focusing on a diverse nomadic lifestyle magazine. We are presenting in the next nerd nite a mix of Interviews from our voyage on the Hawaii and media from California (not advertising the magazine). Overall, it will strictly be educational and informative to the audience of Nerd nite taking a journalist approach.
***
Nerds just want to have fun: adventures in adult science summer camp and microbial mischief
Sarah Tucker
Ah, the rigorous summer science course, fondly known as adult science camp. The home of a truly majestic and strange culture of boundless scientific inquiry, awkward networking interactions, beer-driven philosophical conversation, passive-aggressive pipette sharing, and sometimes… METHANE GAS. I invite you to join for a sneak peek into my experience as an adult scientist summer camper at a camp for microbe enthusiasts. Together, we will discover microscopic treasures that are stranger than you could ever imagine.
Bio: When Sarah is not at summer camp, she is studying marine microbes at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology for her PhD, inhaling Bob’s Pizza, and attempting to speak in different tongues (read: learn new languages).
***
Creating & Playing Games for Preferred Futures – On Multiversity in Lieu of University
Cody Lestelle
Nerd Nite #62 – Immortality, Sundarbans, & 3D Printing
Nerd Nite #61 – Pyrospectacular, Aiding First Responders, Coral McLovin’
Boom! Science: a crash course on Pyrotechnics
Andrew Osberg
This presentation will take you behind the scenes of a firework display, including its organized set up to its chaotic launch. It will briefly discuss the different types of fireworks used in typical shows and how to identify them. We will also go into the anatomy, construction, and artistic essence of the traditional aerial shell. The overall objective of this presentation is to provide you a new perspective on fireworks shows, through the eyes of pyrotechnician.
Andrew is originally from Los Angeles, CA, and currently studying sponge ecology at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. He is also a licensed pyrotechnician and novice producer that has been firing shows across the United States for 5 years. He has fired shows in a variety of conditions and environments ranging from firing off the Brooklyn Bridge in New York to barges riding 6 ft. swells in front of Waikiki.
***
Peer Support for First Responders: Helping the Helpers
James Duggins
First responders spend their day answering the public’s call for help when they are having their worst day, day in and day out. That takes a toll. Let’s talk about it.
James is made of meat, has learned a few things here and there, and doles out bear hugs on the daily. He is a firefighter, CrossFit coach, Hawaii Task Force Leader for Sons of the Flag (a non-profit for burn survivors), improvisor, and a member of his fire department’s Peer Support program.
***
Lessons about the Birds and the Bees from the Corals in the Seas
Beth Lenz
Corals are fascinating creatures that continue to bewilder scientists. These deceptively complex animals have been around for hundreds of millions of years, thriving against most odds. Like Madonna, they have withstood the test of time, withstood enormous trials and tribulations. “How?” you may ask yourself … through the power of sexuality!
It’s time to get funky.
Beth is a PhD Candidate in the Marine Biology Graduate Program at UH Mānoa, based at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. Her research focuses on how well corals are able to sexually reproduce after major disturbances, primarily the recent global bleaching events. In addition to her research, she is Nerd Nite Honolulu’s Co-Boss, an improv performer and instructor with Improv in Paradise, currently playing in her first D&D campaign (her class is a Paladin, nbd), and hanging out with her dog Charlie, who is also a Nerd Nite regular.
Nerd Nite #60 – Leapin’ Languages, Botanical Mind Tricks, and Corals with Frickin’ Laser Beams
Nerd Nite Honolulu – 7 August 2018
Coral reefs on ice: marine biology and lasers, together at last
Nik Zuchowicz
In the face of a new great extinction, biologists are racing to preserve the world’s genetic diversity. Keeping animals alive in the freezer is a tricky business, but we have the technology to do it.
Nik is a technician with the Center for Species Survival, part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. His interests include tinkering, really nice coffee, and afternoon naps.
***
“What the F(ruit)?!
Amy Hruska
Let’s spend a few moments enjoying a good drink (or two!) and discussing plant movement, trickery, and how plant-animal relationships are important for understanding our forest!
Amy is a plant ecologist working toward her PhD at the UH Manoa in the Botany Department. You can learn about her work and hobbies on social media @ecologist_amy.
Nerd Nite #59 – Hōkūleʻa Crew!
THE HŌKŪLEʻA CREW COMES TO NERD NITE HONOLULU!
Photo credit: Hugh Gentry
***
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE WORLDWIDE VOYAGE
HEIDI GUTH
As Chief Operations Officer at PVS, Heidi arranged the crazy complicated logistics of
Hōkūleʻa’s voyage around the world. Hear the seldom told stories of moving crew
around a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, evading thunderstorms in Mozambique and
South Africa, steering clear of zika in Brazil, and the politics of getting through the
Panama Canal… to name a few.
Heidi began as a volunteer at Hōkūleʻa’s dry dock in 2002 and began sailing soon after.
To her, Hōkūleʻa represents all that we have to learn from our ancestors and all that we
should want to teach our children.
Crewmember Heidi Guth at the stern as Hōkūleʻa sails into Salem.
***
CROSSING 3 OF THE WORLD’S 5 OCEANS ON HŌKŪLEʻA
KEALOHA HOE
After sailing from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti in 2014, Bali to Mauritius in 2015, Cape Town to
Brazil in 2016, and back home from Tahiti in 2017, Kealoha is amongst a handful of
Hōkūleʻa crew who have steered her across three oceans. Hear his stories of the surreal
and simplicities of life at sea.
Hakipuʻu native Kealoha Hoe has been a crewmember with Hōkūleʻa since 1999, serving
as Watch Captain, Safety Officer, and Cook. To him, Hōkūleʻa embodies the spirit of
aloha.
***
REAWAKENING THE ANCIENT ART OF WAYFINDING
KAʻIULANI MURPHY
Ever wonder how the navigators of Hōkūleʻa use the sun, moon, stars, swells, clouds
and other clues in nature to find their way? Take a journey from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi and
back, discover the layers of wayfinding and the masterminds behind recovering this
ancient art.
From Waimea, Hawaiʻi, Kaʻiulani connected with Hōkūleʻa in 1997 as a Hawaiian Studies
student and now teaches the Hoʻokele courses that led her to the waʻa at Honolulu
Community College and UH Mānoa.
***
Nerd Nite #58 – Clouds – Animals – Life!
***
Van Wishingrad, PhD Candidate in Landscape Genetics, Department of Biology, UH Mānoa
Life, uh, finds a way—and sometimes it gets weird.
Life is an interesting and strange phenomenon, and organisms have come up with a whole bunch of fascinating—and sometimes bizarre—ways to pass on their genes on to the next generation. From penis fencing to exploding testicles, sex can get dangerous—which might explain why some species have given up on sex altogether for the past 80 million years.
***
Molly Mamaril, Blue Zones Project Engagement Lead in the 4M region
Blue Zones Project – How to Live to Be 100
Inspired by National Geographic longevity research, the Blue Zones Project is being launched in the Mānoa-Makiki-Mōʻiliʻili-McCully region this spring. Blue Zones Project is a health and well-being initiative sponsored locally by the Hawai’i Medical Services Association. In the early 2000s, a National Geographic team traveled to Blue Zones regions around the world where people were living to age 100+ at extremely high rates. These clusters of healthy centenarians were discovered in Okinawa, Italy, Costa Rica, Greece and Loma Linda, California. By observing their habits, researchers created a simple framework of longevity: the Power 9 principles. The Power 9 are the foundation of the Blue Zones Project which has been implemented in over 40 communities across the U.S., eight of which are here in Hawai’i. Through 2020, our team, alongside residents and business owners will be focused on implementing small, but purposeful nudges to make the healthy choice, the easy choice here in our neighborhood.
Molly Mamaril serves as the Blue Zones Project Engagement Lead in the 4M region, which comprises of Mānoa, Makiki, Mōʻiliʻili and McCully. She was born in Hawaiʻi, grew up in Minnesota, and came back to Honolulu to pursue her Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management at UH Mānoa. She enjoys mālama ‘āina conservation work, hiking and teaching yoga.
Nerd Nite – Sea Monster – Research Cruises – Rockets! #57
Shilpa Lal – Oceanography Graduate Student at UH Mānoa
How to Survive an Oceanographic Cruise … especially if you don’t speak the same language
I am from Fiji. I did my undergrad studies at The University of the South Pacific (Fiji) in Marine Science and Climate Change. I am a bit of a divergent – I have a broad range of interests: Anthropology, archaeology, history, architecture, mathematics,travelling, art,culinary and collecting artifacts(shopping while I am traveling) and the ocean. In my free time I enjoy doing doing henna, gardening, cooking or taking a long walk.
As part of my studies I get to go out on research vessels a lot. Many times the crew does not speak English or the vessel is from a country where English is not their national language. Growing up on a tiny island country in the middle of the Pacific, there were a limited number of languages we were taught at school. I guess school didn’t prepare me so well for the journey I would be embarking on or perhaps gave me an opportunity to have new language learning adventures on my own. English was my national language. Life on research vessel can be hard if you can’t communicate with the crew. Same can be said when visiting any foreign country I guess. Except unlike a foreign country where you sort of have freedom of movement and choice of food you would like to eat, on a ship your choice of food is limited to what the cook prepares and if you have special diets and can’t communicate with the cook and kitchen crew, it’s going to be horrible. I have had so many interesting , fun and new experiences dealing with crew and life on board research vessels. I think Nerd night is a great opportunity to share these fun experiences and perhaps inspire other people to travel or help other travelers with the tips I have learnt during my time at sea.
***
Mark Hixon, PhD – Professor of Marine Biology, Department of Biology, UH Mānoa
Sea Monsters
I have been lucky to have spent my career studying sea life underwater using SCUBA and small research submarines. I will share images and stories of some of the more bizarre giant creatures my colleagues and I have encountered in the ocean depths. As a bonus, the presentation will be in the format of a multiple-choice drinking game.
***
Bishop Museum Takes Over Nerd Nite Honolulu! #56
BISHOP MUSEUM TAKEOVER!!!
Physics and snails and Octopi, OH MY!
See the full schedule of Hi-Sci Festival events at:
https://www.bishopmuseum.org/hi-sci-festival/
Tuesday, 6 March 2018
Anna O’Brien’s
Doors open at 7:30pm
Talks start at 8:00pm
Come early, get a drink, and grab a drink!
2440 South Beretania Street (see map below)
FREE – bring your own food!
Music accompanied by DJ Globes!
******
Mighty Cephalopods!
Regina “Regie” Kawamoto – Malacology Collection Technician
Cephalopods have escape skills like Houdini! Master of Disguises that they can disappear before your very eyes! And the might of a thousand horses?
Regie was born and raised on the Island of Kauaʻi, where her wonderful family took her on outings to beaches and hikes around Kauaʻi. She received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa in the Zoology Department where she worked with people who encouraged and peaked her interest in marine biology, water quality, conservation, and outreach programs.
******
Prime-Time, Slime-Time
Norine W. Yeung, Ph.D – Malacology Researcher and Collection Manager
In Hawaii, we have a spectacular land snail fauna – more than 750 species! However, we also have more established non-native land snails than any other island or archipelago in the Pacific. Many of these alien species threaten native forests (i.e., damage native plants and seedlings), are agricultural and horticultural pests, and serve as vectors of parasites that cause livestock and human diseases. Learn
more about which invasive land snails carry the Rat Lungworm disease in Hawaii and where they can be found.
Dr. Norine Yeung’s current research interests are focused on understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and processes that generate, maintain, and in some cases, reduce biodiversity. Teaching is central to her research, as an educator of science, policy and management.
******
Physics and Fizzyology: The Battle of the Bends in Deep Sea Diving
Richard L. Pyle, PhD – Associate Zoologist, Database Coordinator
Diving to depths of 500 feet or more requires chutzpah and a keen sense of adventure but, behind all of the thrills lies a hard truth: safely descending to depths beyond the range of conventional SCUBA involves understanding some basic laws of physics and human physiology, mixed in with some pedantic engineering and fastidious planning that is much more in the realm of academic nerdery, than undersea heroics.
Richard Pyle has worked in the Ichthyology collection at Bishop Museum since 1986. He is an Associate Researcher, Database Coordinator, and Dive Safety Officer for the Museum. His main field of expertise involves the taxonomy and biogeography of coral-reef fishes. His other areas of interest include the use of advanced diving technology to document biodiversity inhabiting deeper regions of tropical coral reefs, and also the development of computer database systems (and associated data standards) for managing biodiversity information.