Orlando loves science in all its forms, from digging for dinosaur bones in his backyard as a kid all to way to today teaching biotechnology at Shoreline College. Along the way doing a PhD in Plant Science and working on research in topics from synthetic biology to lab robots to duckweed cultivation. It is also a journey that took him from London, UK to Munich, Germany to Seattle, Washington. Within all of these experiences the most formative for how he relates to science are the 5 years during which he helped to run SoundBio Lab, Seattle’s biology makerspace – showing how biotechnology can be a tool for anyone for everyone to have fun, learn, create and ask questions about the world around them. When not doing science, or teaching science he talks about science into a microphone with his podcast, Modified, about the history and science of GMO crops.

Cool Nerd Mark is a solo musician, indie RPG writer, elementary school teacher, and host of a D&D advice YouTube channel. His last album and an upcoming book are focused on classic horror films. This Nerd night presentation is an opportunity to share some of the research that went into developing horror-themed songs and adventures.

The most deadly animal on this planet doesn’t have sharp teeth and pointy claws like you might expect, but it is responsible for an estimated 52 billion deaths in human history. So in order to combat this monster, a robot was developed that can automate the process of dissecting them in the name of science and saving lives! This talk discusses the monster behind the deaths, the processes for dissections, and the lifesaving science!

Cassandra (She/her) is a biologist, ecologist, science communicator, and fellow nerd with many passions. She nerds out about biology through social media platforms(@bio.cass.ification), and has given a variety of different public scientific talks in the Seattle area! When she’s not in the lab, she can be found tidepooling, hiking, backpacking, making chainmail, crocheting, salsa dancing, or exploring the world with her microscope!