Science On Tap – Menopause Research: Patterns, Placebos, & Pitfalls
Menopause is becoming a buzzword! How do we separate the science from sensationalism? Find out in this fascinating tour through the world of hormone fluctuations, ovarian aging, and medical interventions. We’ll cover: Perimenopause vs menopause The impacts of menopause vs the effects of getting older Why hormone therapy went from favored to feared overnight, and what we’ve learned since How menopause affects our risks for chronic diseases Hormones: good for long-term health? Some safer than others? What non-hormonal therapies are there? Christina Cameli (she/her) is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She is the owner of Menopause Northwest, LLC, a menopause-focused healthcare practice in Portland, OR. In addition to direct patient care, Christina develops menopause-related education for a variety of formats. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap – Sleep & Snuggling: The Key to Social Connection
Babies sleep more per day during the first two years than any other point in life. Scientists agree that this is a period of rapid change in the brain and body – but the mystery remains, what function does sleep serve us so early in life? One idea is that sleep is an opportunity for our brains to practice, and process — especially critical early in life, when we are experiencing so many new things in the world around us. The brain controls how we connect with each other, and form relationships with our peers and loved ones. Healthy physical connections with others, including a foundation called “social touch”, is formed early in life and requires proper sleep to fully develop. Studies have found an association between poor sleep early in life and neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by differences in social connection. This talk will expand on this lingering mystery by exploring: How does the function of sleep change with age? How a unique rodent – the prairie vole – can teach us how sleep and snuggles help our brains develop the foundation of social touch. Noah Milman is a graduate student in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU. Previously, he contributed to the first-in-human clinical trial of 40Hz sensory stimulation for Alzheimer’s Disease. Now, he is interested in how early-life sleep and environment impact the sensory brain and our social connections later in life. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian Review our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science on Tap – K9 Conservationists: Dogs Helping Wolf Research
In the 1960s, biologists introduced wolves to Coronation Island in Alaska after deer overran it and decimated the forest understory. The wolves ate all the deer and, with nothing left to eat, starved. About 50 years later, the wolves of Pleasant Island Alaska found themselves in a similar situation: living on an island in the Pacific with no deer left to eat. The wolves of Pleasant Island, however, have not died out. Instead, they’ve broadened their palate to include sea otters. What scientists don’t know is how widespread this surf-and-turf phenomenon is. How does the complex web of wolf, deer, sea otter, hundreds of islands and a massive logging industry interact? In 2024, a rescued border collie named Barley joined the investigation. Employed with K9 Conservationists, Barley is a professional scat detection dog with three field seasons under his belt. With the “understudy” dogs Tooma, Niffler, and Skipper, they have located over 1,500 wolf scats across 25 islands. Back at OSU, Kayla Fratt works to extract the DNA of the wolves and their prey from the fecal samples. She then uses cutting-edge genetic techniques, lasers shot from airplanes, and an awful lot of math to tell the story of the Tongass National Forest through the bum of a wolf. Bonus ending: This talk will conclude with a live demonstration from one of Kayla’s trained conservation detection dogs in the theater!! Kayla Fratt is a PhD student at Oregon State University and a co-founder of K9 Conservationists. She has dedicated her life to training rescue dogs to help conservation biologists. Her research in Alaska is funded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and her PhD studies are funded in part by the National Science Foundation. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap: Budding Science – Cannabis in Reproductive Health
Cannabis has been used since antiquity to ease illness, increase sex drive, and highlight the pleasures of life. Pair that with the increasing availability of legal cannabis products in the US and it is no surprise that many people are exposed to cannabis throughout their lives. In spite of this exposure from preconception through menopause, the long-term effects of cannabis are not widely understood. Join us to discuss what we know, and what we still need to know, about the effects of cannabis on: Sexual health and function Reproductive health and fertility Pregnancy and offspring Menopausal symptoms Jamie O. Lo, M.D., M.C.R. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ob/Gyn and Department of Urology at OHSU. She attended medical school at OHSU and completed her obstetrics and gynecology training at the University of Utah. She further specialized in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at OHSU and also completed a Masters in Clinical Research. Jasper Bash, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Urology at OHSU where he helps to lead the Men’s Health and Fertility team. After medical school and residency at OHSU he completed the Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery fellowship at UCLA before returning to Portland where he studies the effect of environmental exposures on reproductive health. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap – When the Window Breaks: How Vision is Rebuilt
Have you ever looked through a foggy window and wondered what if that were your eyesight? What happens when the window of your eye becomes cloudy? The cornea—the clear front surface of the eye—plays a critical role in focusing light and allowing us to see the world sharply. But infections, injuries, genetic conditions, and aging can damage this delicate tissue, leading to blurred vision, pain, and sometimes even blindness. The remarkable news is that many of these conditions are treatable—and in some cases, surgeons can replace the damaged “window” of the eye to restore sight. Whether you have a corneal disease, know someone with vision problems, or are simply curious about how modern medicine can bring sight back, join us to learn about: How the cornea works What cause it to become cloudy or scarred How treatments work How donated tissue can restore sight Gain a deeper understanding of how damage to this tiny, transparent tissue is among the top causes of global blindness and how advances in eye care are helping people see the world clearly again. Afshan Nanji, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. She cares for patients with diseases of the cornea including infections, keratoconus, dystrophies, ocular surface cancers, and other conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches future eye surgeons and conducts research to improve diagnosis and treatments for corneal disease. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap – How Did the Frog Cross the Road? Portland’s Frog Tunnel
Every winter, the amphibians of northwest Portland enter a real-life game of Frogger. Most drivers on U.S. Route 30 never notice the small, slimy critters leaping across the asphalt on rainy nights. But for northern red-legged frogs, the stakes are high—reach the water to lay their eggs, or die trying. In response to their plight, biologists are using innovative solutions to help frogs and other vulnerable wildlife cross roads. With the help of buckets and bulldozers, over a decade of conservation efforts have inspired a growing community of amphibian enthusiasts in Portland. In the summer of 2024, they broke ground on their biggest venture yet: a tunnel for frogs beneath Route 30. Less than two years later, the project is shaping up to be an early success story. Along the way, scientists are using specialized technology to document northern red-legged frog behavior and develop strategies to protect this common, yet cryptic species. Join us to learn about the challenges our amphibian neighbors face and how we can help overcome them, while gaining a glimpse into the fascinating lives of frogs. Alyson Yates is a graduate student in the School of Earth, Environment and Society at PSU and a freelance photojournalist. Led by a motivation to conserve lesser-known and misunderstood wildlife, she has embarked on adventures around the world to bridge science and storytelling. Her work has been featured by National Wildlife Magazine, Bats Magazine, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation, OSU, and other media outlets. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap – The Silken Thread: Five Insects & Their Impacts on Human History
A moth, a flea, a mosquito… Insects are seldom mentioned in history texts, yet they significantly shaped human history. For example: • Silkworms (moths) have been farmed to produce silk for millennia, and the Silk Road created a history of empires and cultural exchanges of ideas, philosophies, and religions. • Fleas and lice carried bacteria that caused three major plague pandemics. Bacteria carried by insects left their ancient clues as DNA embedded in victims’ teeth. • Lice caused outbreaks of typhus, especially in crowded conditions such as prisons and concentration camps. Typhus aggravated the effects of the Irish potato famine, and Irish refugees took typhus to North America. • Mosquito-borne yellow fever was transported to the Americas via the trans-Atlantic slave trade, causing panic in the US and creating hazards in constructing the Panama Canal. Dr. Rob Wiedenmann will explore the impact and common threads connecting these insects. This talk is based on his book, coauthored by J. Ray Fisher: The Silken Thread: Five Insects and Their Impacts on Human History. Dr. Rob Wiedenmann is Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Arkansas. He received a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and a Ph.D. in Entomology, both from Purdue University. He also worked at the Illinois Natural History Survey, where he focused on biological control of insects and weeds. He is a past-president of the Entomological Society of America. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap – Save the Planet: Recycle! …or Not?
Few conservation behaviors have captured the public’s interest as much as recycling. But sorting your trash and placing it at the curb isn’t recycling . . . it’s just the start of a long and somewhat surprising journey for your empty milk cartons and back issues of Cat Fancy. Where do those materials go once in the bin? How do they get sorted out? And where do they go from there? What about those rumors that recycling trucks just deliver materials to the landfill, or dump them in the ocean? How can recycling even deliver environmental benefit, given all of the trucks and machinery involved? What’s the deal with plastic, anyway? You have questions, and we have answers! After pioneering recycling policy in the late 1980s, Oregon is now implementing the first “extended producer responsibility” law for packaging in the U.S. The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, adopted in 2021, was launched July 1, 2025 and is designed to provide residents and businesses a recycling system that can be trusted to deliver the environmental benefits that recycling has long promised. But even a fully modernized recycling system has limited potential to stem the tide of unsustainable levels of production and consumption. Explore how recycling is simultaneously necessary and insufficient, how recycling needs to be improved, and what else Oregon could be doing to use materials sustainably. David Allaway and Justin Gast work at the OR Department of Environmental Quality, and between them have over 57 years of experience with recycling systems. In addition to his time at DEQ, Justin has worked at the local and national levels for the likes of Resource Recycling magazine, the Washington County (OR) Solid Waste & Recycling Program and The Recycling Partnership. David has testified before Congress and co-chaired Oregon’s Recycling Steering Committee, and his work has been featured in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the National Law Review, Time, Sierra and PBS Frontline. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
Science On Tap: Indigenous Science – Seed Banks for Eco-Restoration
Many ecological restoration projects are one-size-fits-all: kill the weeds, then plant native seeds. But across the West, native plants have unexpectedly reestablished themselves via wind, water, or underground seed banks at restored properties in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California within various ecosystems—prairies, estuaries, sagebrush steppe, wetlands and coastal sand dunes. Scientists, in particular Indigenous scientists, have found that native seeds can regerminate after decades of dormancy underground and that some species—even federally endangered ones—will regrow once invasive plants are removed, or water is returned. This approach, known as “natural regeneration,” is understudied and overlooked by Western scientists. Yet Indigenous-led projects show that it is a more effective and more affordable way to restore degraded lands. This show will discuss a handful of tribally led restoration projects where native plants have returned on their own. Josephine Woolington is a writer and musician based in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She is the author of “Where We Call Home: Lands, Seas, and Skies of the Pacific Northwest,” which won the 2024 Oregon Book Award for general nonfiction. Her wide-ranging, long-form feature story on this subject was published in High Country News. David G. Lewis (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), an OSU anthropology and Indigenous studies assistant professor who descends from western Oregon’s Takelma, Chinook, Molalla and Santiam Kalapuya peoples. Lewis has studied a Willamette Valley site, called Lake Labish, where wapato, a traditional food for PNW Indigenous peoples, has reappeared after a 120-year absence. He is the author of Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley (2023). Tickets:$15.00 DISCOUNT (senior, student, it’s your birthday, just can’t afford the GA price right now)$25.00 GENERAL ADMISSION$35.00 VIP: Premium seating in the front several rows of the center section$45.00 SUPPORTER: Premium seating, pint glass (beer not included), and good feelings for supporting the programMinors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianReview our venue FAQ here
Consider This with Dahlia Lithwick
Join us for a conversation about law, justice, and the public interest with Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent at Slate and host of the Amicus podcast about law and the Supreme Court. One of the leading legal commentators in the US, Dahlia Lithwick has covered courts for Slate since 1999 and regularly appears as an analyst on MSNBC. Her recent book, Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America, presents a historical account and perspective on the intersection of feminism, law, and politics during the Trump administration. She has testified before Congress about access to justice in the era of the Roberts Court and how MeToo impacts federal judicial law clerks. General AdmissionPrice: $15 Conversation StarterPrice: $30 Ticket sales do not cover the full cost of presenting Consider This events. When you buy a Conversation Starter ticket, you help us keep ticket prices low for everyone. Oregon Humanities uses income from Consider This ticket sales to pay for venue rental and honoraria for our guests. Conversation Starter tickets convey no special benefits beyond good feelings and our gratitude. No Cost To make sure as many people as possible who want to attend are able to, we make a portion of tickets available at no cost. (More information below) If you’re able to pay for a ticket, we ask that you do so to help keep this program accessible to all. Please click the link below to register for no-cost tickets. Click here to register for no-cost tickets to Consider This.