From ectoplasm to pumpkin spice stress-relief concoctions, slime is everywhere this time of year.

Join us for two talks from experts on the hidden intelligence of slime molds and the healing properties of snail slime...

We double dare you.

Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Time: 7:30-9:30pm (doors @ 7pm)

Venue: Ryan’s Daughter, 350 E 85 th St (between 1 st and 2 nd Ave), Manhattan

Speakers:

Simon Garnier

Associate Professor of Biology, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Talk Title: The Homer Simpson paradox, or how to be successful without a brain

Simon Garnier is the head of the Swarmlab, an interdisciplinary research lab that studies how stupid creatures can - sometimes - be smart in group, and why very smart beings will - often - form brainless crowds. His talk will focus recent research on a weird amorphous creature, the slime mold Physarum polycephalum, that is unveiling the secrets behind this basal form of cognition that may help understand the origins of biological intelligence.

Antonio Cerullo

PhD Candidate in Biochemistry at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center

Talk title: Comparative Animal Mucomics: Investigating Slime from Nature’s Most Exotic Creatures

Antonio Cerullo is one of the world’s leading experts on slime, and curated the world's largest library of animal mucus. Mucus is among the most diverse and important substances in nature. Despite being critical for the survival of all animals, little is known about its makeup or how it works. He will discuss his efforts to collect and compare mucus from animals across the world, including snails, hippopotami, and jellyfish with the goal of learning how diverse animals use mucus. This research has inspired new technologies with real-world applications.