Rather than a series of formal talks, Pint of Science aims to recreate the buzz that allows leading experts in various scientific fields to present, discuss and take questions on their latest discoveries and research with members of the public over a drink and a packet of snacks.

The format is simple, talks in a bar/venue for the public over three nights in May 2018 at the UCT Club on the Upper Campus from 18h30-21h00.

Speakers:

Naadirah Moola - A maze within maize

• Maize, a staple food in our South African diets that hides a toxic secret. Fusarium verticillioides is a fungus responsible for a reduction in the quantity and quality of maize with respect to ear rot and accumulation of mycotoxins. These toxins have been associated with adverse health effects in both humans and animals. This topic looks at the role of plant defence and a biopesticide in managing this complex interaction.

Naadirah Moola completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Genetics at the University of Cape Town. She then proceeded to do her Honours and Master's at the University of Cape Town in Molecular and Cell Biology. Beyond the veil of science. she is an avid sportswoman and traveller.

Jore von Holdt - Is dust really that big?

• Jore´ von Holdt will discuss aeolian dust emissions in the earth system. von Holdt is a geomorphologist who studies atmospheric dust and has done much of her research in the Namib Desert.

von Holdt completed her PhD at UCT and is currently doing research involving mine dust and how it affects people and the environment.

Kolisa Sinyanya - Phytoplankton: The microscopic photosynthesizers that are saving our planet

• Microbe-nutrient interactions in the Agulhas Climate Array marine system. Kolisa Yola Sinyanya is a PhD candidate in the Oceanography Department. PhD focuses on understanding nitrogen uptake by phytoplankton in the sunlit upper oceans of the Indian and Southern Ocean. Sinyanya is passionate about SCIENCE and science communication.

Book your tickets for Day One here: Tickets for Pint of Science Day1 (Tickets also available at the door on the day)