RIT Funds ‘Rochester’s Science Café’

Rochester’s Science Café serves up more than just coffee. The free lecture series features down-to-earth discussion with scientists eager to share their expertise with interested members of the community.

Joshua Faber and Manuela Campanelli, professors in Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Mathematical Sciences and the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation, recently won a two-year NASA Outreach grant to host the lecture series. The grant supports the Rochester Science Café initially launched by David Goldfarb, professor of biology at University of Rochester.

“The Science Cafe is a great opportunity for scientists in the local area to reach a broader audience and get people interested in the details of what they do,” Faber says. “It is also a chance to help clear up any misperceptions that people often have about new and noteworthy scientific advances, while giving attendees a better idea of how scientists work and do their research.”

The series of conversations with practicing scientists will be held in the Pittsford Plaza Barnes & Noble’s Community Room and are intended for a general audience. Upcoming talks include:

• Mark Noble, professor of genetics, neurology, neurobiology and anatomy, University of Rochester, will present “Stem cell medicine: The next medical revolution” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27

• Philippe Fauchet, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering, University of Rochester, will present “Energy for the 21st century and beyond” Nov. 24

“While the original list of speakers was drawn entirely from the Rochester area, the grant funding will allow us to expand the scope to include researchers from the region, as well as an annual weeklong visit from a prominent visiting scientist,” Faber says.