Have you ever wondered how our genes affect our behavior? How the outside world affects our health? Or even how the internal environment of our bodies affects our health? To explain this web of relationships, we will be hearing from professors from NYU School of Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Columbia University. Get ready for a night of exploring the role of our bodies’ internal and external environments on health and behavior!

Event Details and Speakers:

"How Genes Shape Behavior"

Andrés Bendesky, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology at Columbia University; Principal Investigator at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute

The diversity of behavior in nature, including humans, is truly remarkable, and we know that genetic variation makes a strong contribution to such diversity. In his talk, Dr. Bendesky will explain how genes interact with the environment to shape our behavior and what modern studies in humans and other animals — including his own work with exploratory worms, monogamous mice and fighting fish — have taught us.

"One Rogue Cell: The Molecular Basis of Cancer"

Christine Lomiguen, MD, Director of General Pathology in the Department of Anatomy at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

This talk provides an overview of cancer and its causes, from genetics to lifestyle and environmental factors, emphasizing the impact on cancer development. This interactive session aims to engage the participating audience to reflect on their viewpoints on cancer. Recent research will be presented relating to health education and preventive medicine.

"Sicker, Fatter, Poorer: The Urgent Threat of Hormone- Disrupting Chemicals to Our Health and Future . . . and What We Can Do About It"

Leo Trasande, MD, MPP, Jim Hendrick, MD Professor, Division of Environmental Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine

Lurking in our homes and polluting the air we breathe is something sinister. Our everyday surroundings are making us sicker, fatter, and poorer. Science is now telling us that synthetic chemicals disrupt our hormonal systems and damage our health in irreparable ways. These chemicals hide in places we can’t control. Drawing on extensive research and expertise, I’ll outline studies about chemicals that we are exposed to every day. This seems scary but there’s hope – there are safe and simple steps we can all take to limit exposure and they neither require a PhD in Chemistry not hit the budget!
 

Doors open at 6:30 pm, with the program beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5. Please click here to learn more and purchase your tickets.

This event is part of Pint of Science, an annual science festival that takes place every May and brings researchers to your local pub or bar to show you the latest happenings in the world of science.