Queerky science nights.
JOYFUL, UNCENSORED, SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND.
WHERE TOP-SCHOLARS present
BEYOND ACADEMIA INTO QUEER SPACES.
And then we dance.
Next up
WHAT WE DO
We bring cutting-edge scholars beyond academia into queer spaces, we talk and we dance
Et al. is an after-hours science outreach series at a local queer bar, Flora Bar in Rochester NY. We curate nights that are joyful, uncensored and scientifically sound.
Invited scholars share their pioneering research and their personal stories engaging the audience in conversations. Topics include cancer therapy in queer relationships, plastic-eating bacteria, the biomechanics of dancing, black feminism in theatre, color theory and more.
After the talks, the dancefloor opens with an invited artist curating the sound, a different genre every time.
Events are free to attend, talks and music are recorded and posted afterwards. Any donations directly fund our work and the community!
OUR PHILOSOPHy
Et al. means and others – the people, the uncredited collaborators, the overlooked voices, literally a bibliography shorthand for a long list of authors in a publication
We believe research is not just about data or publications. It’s about us people, all of us, and, most importantly, those who’ve been left out or have rarely been represented by it.
Et al. highlights the humans behind the science: their personalities, interests, and joyful quirks. Scientific discoveries don’t end with the last author on a paper. Their impact extends to all of us. And history reminds us that genius strikes in moment of wandering minds, rarely at desk.
Et al. invites the public into that process, recognizing that we all benefit from and can meaningfully contribute to research across the humanities, the sciences, the engineering, the arts, the movement and more.
We can dance complexity together beyond technical vocabularies, and have fun with it. We reclaim the femininity of pioneering. To explore is to give birth into the world through care, curiosity, and desire. This is why we address music with a curatrix, she who calls minds into bodies, and let sound do the rest.
where the money goes
Science gives back to the community it serves
Et al. is free because we believe science belongs to everyone. It belongs to queer bars (our home is Flora) which are a community service, and they live because people show up. We give you another reason to support them.
We pay an honorarium to everyone involved in Et al. — speakers, performers, artists, and curatitrices. And we include a STEM speaking prep session with our advisor and community engagement specialist Michael Occhino, as part of the package. The more funds we raise, the more we can support researchers, independent artists, fund causes that matter, and open the door to collaborations across the world. Your donations make that possible!
Donations are split between charity and keeping the series going. We now help raising funds for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, a local nonprofit supporting Rochester families affected by pediatric cancer.
Et al. is supported by UR Thinkers at University of Rochester, and we are grateful to our donors Wilmot Cancer Center, Rochester Victory Alliance and Elysian Homes!
The humans behind it
Alice Giulia Alessandroni, MSc
PhD, Biophysics, University of Rochester.
Alice researches microbial biomaterials using marine bacteria and 3D-bioprinting for the design of programmable ecological materials (e.g. ocean-biodegradable plastic). She has a background in applied quantum technologies and AI consulting. Outside the lab, she’s a music curatrix, community organizer, sailor and creative force.
Azmeer Sharipol, PhD
National Cancer Institute Graduate Fellow.
Azmeer studies acute myeloid leukemia using tissue engineering approaches to develop safer, smarter cancer therapies. He recently graduated with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at University of Rochester. Beyond the lab, he organizes community outreach events across Rochester and performs as a dancer, with appearances in multiple Fringe Festival seasons.
Gabrielle Kosoy, PhD
AI Consultant.
Gabrielle consults on health data science and AI. During her PhD in Biophysics at University of Rochester she developed diagnostic hardware and software for diversified viral identification from blood. Beyond the lab, she is a singer, accordionist, pianist, guitarist playing with the Heart Throb String Band and fervent in creative artistic pursuits.
Alyson March, PhD
Post-doc, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester.
Aly researches community accessible human motion to understand how movement affects health in individuals with joint disease. She previously explored biomaterials and bone healing in her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at University of Rochester. Outside of the lab, she plays soccer and volleyball, talks about her dogs and spends as much time outdoors as possible.
