Next Nerd Nite Mixes Streams, Spectrometry

by Ryan Kawailani Ozawa · August 28, 2015

The eclectic mix of topics and presenters continues with Nerd Nite Honolulu, reconvening on Tuesday with talk of bees, poop, and analytical chemistry. As always, the conversation will be facilitated by live music and alcohol.

Honolulu is one of more than 90 cities with Nerd Nite events, which revolve around “fun yet informative presentations across all disciplines, while the audience drinks along.”

Next week’s meetup is the local group’s 26th gathering. Previously held at the Mercury Bar in Chinatown, the series saw a brief hiatus when the venue closed.Â But Nerd Nite resumed with the new year on a new night and at a new location: Anna O’Brien’s in Mo’ili’ili.

September’s presenters are listed as:

“Life as a Bee” with Karen Neal
“Nice Mass: Getting Intimate with Spectrometry” with Val Finlayson
“Shit Runs Downhill: Non-Point Source Pollution in Streams” with Todd Cullison

I’m not sure, but I think the Karen Neal being featuredÂ is alsoÂ known as Queen Bee, an icon in the Detroit punk scene with a long and colorful resume of music, dance, roller derby, acting and modeling. If so, there will be a lot of undoubtedly interesting things shared in those 20 minutes.

Meanwhile,Â Valerie Finlayson is a PhD candidate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, specializing in isotope geochemistry, igneous petrology, and volcanology. Having previously studied in Michigan, Illinois, and Texas, she’s now a research assistant working towardÂ a career academia and applied research.

Finally, Todd Cullison, executive director of Hui O Ko’olaupoko, which succeeded theÂ Kailua Bay Advisory Council and focuses on watersheds in Windward Oahu. He’s served in the position since 2006, when he came to Hawaii after a six-year tenure as the coordinator of a similar watershed preservation organization.

Nerd Nite Honolulu will be heldÂ on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Anna O’Briens (2440 S. Beretania St.).Â For more information, visit the event page on Facebook, or join the Nerd Nite Honolulu Facebook group.