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Science Pub: From Glow Sticks to Microscopes

September 9, 7-9 pm | Doors at 6 pm

Empirical Theater
On Sale Soon

A casual lecture on the science of fluorescence

With Dr. Shreya Pramanik, postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, and OMSI SciComm Fellow.

About the Lecture

What do glow sticks and super-resolution light microscopes have in common? Aside from being fundamentally fun, they both rely on fluorescence. Excited molecules can return to their lowest possible energy states – or ground states – by releasing visible light that results in a glow. This process, called fluorescence, has helped scientists to understand basic molecular properties, as well as to visualize complex biological structures by combining it with light microscopes. In this talk, Dr. Pramanik will walk us through the science behind fluorescence and how it has been applied in medicine and biological research.

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

Tickets

$8 suggested donation | Advance tickets recommended

Zoom Option
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on Zoom. You must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

About the Speaker

Dr. Shreya Pramanik is a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University. She works with tiny fat-based particles, similar to the ones used in the COVID-19 vaccines. She earned her PhD in Biophysics in 2023 from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany. Throughout her scientific career, she has used fluorescence and light microscopes to study molecular interactions. Since moving to Portland in April last year, Shreya has been an active volunteer in the Chemistry lab and a SciComm fellow at OMSI.

Questions? Email sciencepub@omsi.edu
Ticketing questions call 503.797.4000 x0

Frequently Asked Questions

Zoom Information

If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on zoom. You must register in advance via the ticketing page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Are tickets required?

To guarantee a seat at this event, we recommend you purchase your ticket in advance. Please show your ticket at the check-in table in front of the theater upon arrival.

We will always have tickets available at the door. They are first-come, first-served and admission will remain a suggested donation

Will food be available for purchase?

Yes, Epicurean Group will be providing a taco bar and canned alcoholic beverages. In addition to the cart, our Empirical Cafe will be open with prepackaged salads, sandwiches, movie snacks and N/A drinks. No outside food or drink is allowed.

Accessibility Information for the Empirical Theater

 

The Empirical Theater has an upper-level wheelchair accessible entrance and theater restrooms; due to the layout of the theater the lower-level main entrance is only accessible by stairs. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative or volunteer for assistance in locating these areas.

Several daytime documentaries and newer evening full-features offer closed captions, audio description, and volume amplification. The CaptiView closed caption units allow guests to see captions for their show by using a cup holder device that they can adjust within their view, and the Fidelio RX audio description units deliver descriptive narration and can also amplify the theater volume and dialogue.

The Showing Today signs updated daily at the front desk and theater entrance indicate which features offer closed captions (CC) and audio description (AD), while volume amplification is available for all theater content including events such as Science Pub and Reel Science.

Limited quantities of the following devices are available for theater guests and may be requested at either the Front Desk or Concierge Desk as well as from the theater usher:

  • CaptiView closed caption (CC) viewing devices
  • Fidelio RX audio description and volume amplification units
  • Williams Sound NKL-001 neck loops designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil or T-Switch

The rough inside measurements of the seats not including arm and back rests:

  • Theater seats 16.5” wide and 21.5” deep
  • Two accessible seating area chairs 39.29″ high, 29.5″ wide, and 29″ deep
  • Additional accessible seating area chairs available by request is 23.5” wide and 21.5” deep
  • The weight capacity for the accessible seating area chairs are 500lbs, and the additional accessible seating area chairs support between 200lbs-250lbs

Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:

  • Noise reducing headphones
  • Fidget toys
  • Sunglasses
  • Visual and auditory timer
  • 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
  • Sanitizing wipes

Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs

Do I have to pay for parking?

OMSI has switched to a new parking system via the mobile parking app, Parking Kitty, to create an easier and more streamlined experience for our visitors. OMSI parking will cost $5 + fees for 2 hours or $8 + fees for all day parking. Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events, such as Science Pub.

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