- Eline van Bloois
#Pint23 Nijmegen - Unraveling complexity
In our daily life, we can describe something as either complex or complicated. However, these two concepts are not necessarily synonyms. For instance, solving a Rubik's cube is complicated but not complex. Another example, a colony of ants is complex, despite the individual ants being very simple organisms. In that sense, complexity can refer to something composed of simple, small units that is capable of expressing very unpredictable and sophisticated behavior. With that in mind, this year’s edition of the Pint of Science in Nijmegen is themed ‘Unraveling complexity’. Sponsored by the Donders Institute and the Radboud Young Academy, we want to talk about topics that are complex, but in an uncomplicated way.
After the success of our comeback in 2022 , this year’s event will again take place at the Selbachs (Nijmegen city center) on the 22nd and 23rd of May. In addition, we will have an extra night at the Cafe Ons Thuis on the 24th! We have a mix of different scientists talking about their recent work, to tickle your curiosity for complex topics!
We’ll open our first evening with Edvin van Osten and Tabea Riepe, both from RadboudUMC. Edvin will talk about how stem cells can be used to create a 3d model of the eye and give us insight into how some eye diseases work. Followed by Tabea, who will share her research on how deep learning can be used to better understand inherited blindness.
To close our first night, the Radboud Young Academy, will bring a discussion panel on diversity, equity and inclusion. For the discussion, Jessica Ramos Sanchez, from the Anti-Racism Awareness network, and Lema Salah, a diversity, equity & inclusivity expert. Together with Dr. Béatrice Bonga from Radboud Young Academy, they will talk about the challenges of making a diverse and inclusive academia and how this relates to the rest of society.
On the second evening, three scientists from Radboud will tell us about the challenges of quantum computing, the relation between music and mental health, and complexity in the brain. We’ll also have the BrainHelpDesk, a sci-comm initiative from the Donders Institute, with a quiz and fun facts about the brain!
The last evening will be at Cafe Ons Thuis. Nijmegen’s Pint will close the year talking about technologies related to sustainability. Researchers like Sara Gonella and Dr. Natasha Gruginskie will speak about sustainable plastics and high efficiency solar cells.
Are you interested in knowing more about those different research topics? Excited to hear more and talk about science, while having a cold beer? Make sure to register for one (or why not three!) of our evenings. Tickets are free, but we have a limited number of spots!
Hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
Pint of Science team Nijmegen
