Join me at Dragon Con on Labor Day weekend!
Dragon Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe.
For years, I’ve taken my kids downtown each Labor Day weekend in Atlanta to see the fabulous Dragon Con parade. Filled with all sorts of characters from science fiction to pop culture, this parade is a delight to onlookers. The parade is just a small part of the overall event, though!
Dragon Con is one of the most well attended pop-culture conventions in the U.S. I attended my first Dragon Con convention as a science panelist in 2019 and absolutely loved it! Where else can a scientist get to dress up in Cosplay and nerd out on the stage with other fun scientists and field questions from a packed room?
I just got notice of my TENTATIVE appearance schedule. The final schedule will be released 10 days before the convention, but here is a sneak peek at where I’ll likely be for those interested in attending. I hope some of you can join me!
Friday, 9/1/2023
Scientifically Getting Away With Murder
Bring your best plans for getting away with murder and let our panel of experts tell you where you're likely to fail. It doesn't take a Charlie Cale or Jessica Fletcher to trip you up, after all.
Panelists: Raychelle Burks, Brandon H Strauss, Cassandra Quave, Jamie Bernstein, Emily A Finke
Time: Fri 07:00 pm
Location: Crystal Ballroom Hilton (Length: 1 Hour)
The Year in Science After Dark
All of this year's science news that's too spicy to discuss before 10 pm.
Panelists: Savannah Miller, Brandon H Strauss, Paul B Currie, Cassandra Quave, Jamie Bernstein
Time: Fri 10:00 pm
Location: Crystal Ballroom Hilton (Length: 1 Hour)
Saturday, 9/2/2023
Breaking Barriers: Empowering the Disabled in Fandom
Engage in a dynamic discussion that tackles the challenges faced by the disabled in the world of fandom. Discover inspiring solutions and explore ways to create a more inclusive and accessible fan community.
Panelists: Clay Gilbert, Emily Ruth Henderson, Cassandra Quave, Lezli Robyn, Cass Teague(M)
Time: Sat 02:30 pm
Location: Hanover AB Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Plant Pharmacology
Plants are master chemists, cooking up compounds we've used as painkillers (willow bark, opium), stimulants (coffee, tobacco), antiseptics (witch hazel), and even heart medications (foxglove)! Plus we hear they have recreational uses.... Join us on a trip into the lush jungle of plant pharmacology.
Panelists: Cassandra Quave, Tina Hesman Saey, Jenn Hardee, Liz Decolvenaere(M)
Time: Sat 04:00 pm
Location: Crystal Ballroom Hilton (Length: 1 Hour)
About the Panelists
Jamie Bernstein is a data scientist who specializes in building statistical models that predict human behavior. She's also previously been a regular contributor to blogs like Skepchick and Mad Art Lab.
Raychelle Burks is a chemistry professor with a crime lab background. She brings her expertise to examine unusual cases, both real and fictional.
Paul Currie is a Health Science administrator and recovering Biology and Chemistry professor. He has given numerous talks on the use of pop culture in teaching.
Clay Gilbert has published thirteen novels from science fiction and horror to YA dystopia and urban fantasy. His latest novel Binary Sunset is due in 2023 from Dark Moon Press.
Devan Henderson is a specialty costumer for film and tv where he works on iconic superhero suits. He is also Co-DM of the live actual play podcast D4, alongside Dustin Fletcher.
Savannah Miller is a public health professional that has studied a range of public health topics including climate change and infectious disease.
Cassandra Quave is a disabled writer, speaker, podcast host, professor, explorer, and plant scientist leading drug discovery research on molecules from nature.
Lezli Robyn is Executive Editor/Associate Publisher of Arc Manor and author. Since her first sales to Clarkesworld, Asimov's and Analog, Robyn's been nominated for five prestigious awards—winning two.
Tina Saey is an award-winning science journalist. She is a senior writer covering molecular biology at Science News magazine.
Brandon Strauss is finishing a doctorate at Texas A&M, where they currently teach about medical and veterinary entomology and stink up the lab with decomposition research.
Just for Subscribers
This week, just for my paid subscribers, let’s do an AMA (ask me anything) on the topic of science communication! I’m here for all of your questions. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to be an effective communicator or have questions about how I got into podcasting or the book business, I’m here to offer what tips I can! Post a comment to get the conversation started:
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.
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This looks like such a fun convention. If it were in Philly I would go! Maybe some other year. The panel discussions you are a part of all look fascinating. I find myself just trucking through this part of life, immersed in the clinical with little time for the academic... but when I do attend the national AAFP yearly conference (family docs) I feel exhilaration being a student and feeding my head with good stuff! To do that while dressed up as John Snow would be even more magical! Excellent Melisandre, BTW 😊
The night is dark and full of terrors, nonetheless I must go to bed now ;)