The Story Collider is thrilled to be a part of the Atlanta Science Festival once again in 2018! Join us for five true, personal stories about unexpected encounters in science.
In life, it can be hard to predict what's around the corner. From confrontations with wild animals to unexpected incidents in the lab, hear stories about the sometimes little, sometimes very big, surprises met along the way.
Hosted by Kellie Vinal and Emma Yarbrough.
Stories by:
Claire Christie is the Host and Executive/Creative Producer of nature and travel show, Kickass Animal Encounters. Claire is an actor, with BFAs and MFAs and lots of pictures of her in weird costumes to prove it. You're most likely to see her in stuff you've never seen (experimental theater and independent film), but she grew up on Shakespeare and always loves being a chorus girl and seeing big budget movies. Mostly she just loves things that push us to think and connect with new people, ideas, and places. Claire has created ad copy, sold advertising, office managed, toured internationally, written, directed, produced, company managed, bookkept, theater managed, taught, voiceovered, commercialed, box officed, narrated audiobooks, and occasionally slept. Some of the many organizations she's proud to have worked with include Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Shenandoah Shakespeare, PushPush Theater, Collective Works, The Object Group, and Georgia Aquarium, where she also volunteered on the animal care side and rediscovered her desire to save the world and spread the religion of science love to all who will listen!
Ariel Fristoe is an actor, director, and founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Out Of Hand Theater. With Out of Hand, Ariel makes shows, games and public art to build community and promote social change. Out of Hand partners with scientists and communities to develop award-winning shows that raise awareness for issues important to the Atlanta community, including evolution (Hominid/primate behavior world expert Frans de Waal), Alzheimer’s Disease (Blackberry Winter/Emory’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center), how life began (Group Intelligence/The Center for Chemical Evolution), and gentrification and race (IAMO4W). Ariel teaches Arts Administration, the Concentration in Arts Management capstone course, and Introduction to Theater at Emory University.
Robert Kubiak is a graduate student in the Davies Research Group at Emory University where he investigates basic principles in organic synthesis to apply towards the discovery of new modes of chemical reactivity. Before Emory, he received B.S.’s in chemistry and biology from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. His fields of interest include organic synthesis; biochemistry; catalysis; science communication, outreach, and inclusion. His goal is to continue discovering alternate routes for producing organic molecules that enable pharmaceutical and industrial scientists to reduce the time, cost, and waste associated with synthesis while simultaneously fostering an environment that embraces diversity of thought and cultural background.
Deboleena Roy is Chair of the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and holds a joint faculty appointment in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University. She received her PhD in reproductive neuroendocrinology and molecular biology from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Her fields of interest include feminist theory, feminist science and technology studies, neuroscience, molecular biology, postcolonial theory, and reproductive justice movements. Her goal is to create feminist practices that can contribute to scientific inquiry in the lab.
Dr. Africa Stewart graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University in 1995 with a BA in psychology and mathematical science. She then attended Drexel University Medical School in Philadelphia. In 1999 she completed a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Planning from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz School of Business. She then returned to Philadelphia to finish her medical training at Drexel. In 2000 she received a Doctorate in Medicine and began Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Hahnemann University Hospital. Her career with MSF began in Sudan in June 2011. Dr. Stewart has completed 4 surgical field missions and served as a guide for the Forced From Home exhibit in 2016. She continues to support women's health care locally and abroad with an emphasis on education and prevention.