BIO NEBRASKA PARTNERS WITH UNMC TO HOST SCIENCE CAFES

(January 23, 2009; Omaha, NE) – Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association is partnering with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) to host Omaha’s first Science Cafes at the Slowdown, a rock club and bar, located at 729 N. 14th St. in Omaha, on Feb. 3 and 10. The presentations will be focused on and feature discussions about the human brain. The guest speaker on Feb. 3 is UNMC neurosurgeon William Thorell, M.D., and on Feb. 10, the guest speaker is UNMC neurologist Sanjay Singh, M.D.

The Science Cafes are part of an effort to improve science literacy in Nebraska. To support this goal, UNMC is leading a team composed of faculty, staff and community leaders in Omaha.

“A public armed with facts and an understanding of science is better able to appreciate and apply scientific advances, and to vote knowledgeably on ballot issues and initiatives related to science,” said UNMC Professor James Turpen, Ph.D., the leader of the science literacy team. “As the state’s academic health sciences center, it’s natural for us to be among the leading proponents for science literacy in Nebraska.”
One of the focus areas identified is to establish public education programs to increase interest in science among young adults. Science Cafes are informal science discussions held at local coffeehouses or bars and feature health care experts. They provide an opportunity for the general public to better understand the role science and medicine play in their lives.

“Educating ourselves is a lifelong adventure and this is a great opportunity to interact with and learn from medical experts,” stated Amy Recker, executive director for Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association. “Science Cafes are a unique opportunity to engage our community on health awareness items and their impact. We are also focused on generating interest across our state by highlighting careers in science and medicine.”

The Nebraskan Coalition for Lifesaving Cures will provide free pizza for the first 50 people at each of the events. The Feb. 3 Science Café will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the Feb. 10 Science Café will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Bio Nebraska
The mission of Bio Nebraska is to be the champion of biotechnology and to advocate for its member organizations promoting academic, industry and government partnerships to foster the growth of life sciences within Nebraska. Nebraska biotechnology researchers expand the boundaries of science to benefit man-kind by providing better healthcare, enhanced agriculture, and a cleaner and safer environment, hence creating opportunities for economic development within the state.

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