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Open daily - 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Interested in science? Want to learn more about the latest breakthroughs in easy-to-understand terms without a lot of jargon? Then Café Sci at Kamin Science Center is the place to be!
Café Sci allows anyone interested in science to come together and discuss today’s issues with experts, including plenty of opportunities for questions. Following a brief talk by our monthly guest speaker is a Q&A session to help improve your knowledge.
Unique Solutions to Difficult Analytes: Quantification on Mass Spectrometers by Alternate Methods
Mon., Feb. 2
7–9 p.m.
Attend virtually or onsite
On-site location: Works Theater | 4th Floor of the Science Center
Presenter
Jeremiah Jamrom, Ph.D.
Use this link to view the webinar:
https://youtube.com/live/8dbZgov9ELk?feature=share 
What is a mass spectrometer and how does it work? Learn how researchers employ this tool to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions and reveal the composition of unknown compounds or mixtures. This talk will focus on isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) alongside calibration curves with real lab applications and use cases for each system.
About Jeremiah Jamrom, Ph.D.
Jeremiah Jamrom received his doctorate in chemistry with a focus on isotope enabled metrology at Duquesne University 2022. There he researched small organic molecule quantitation utilizing dried blood cards as a matrix and quantitation of analytes below the lower limit of quantitation. Since then, he has worked for Applied Isotope Technology developing biomarker quantification suites for human health applications.
Register for Café Sci
Register for the free lecture and attend in person. Kamin Science Center would like to continue to offer programs like Café Sci, Women in STEM, and others. Please consider making a donation when you register. Once you sign up, you’ll get an email confirmation. Have a question? You’ll be able to type your questions in the Q&A section during the presentation!
Mon., May 4
7–9 p.m.
Presenter
Heather Ritz
Certified Professional Ergonomist
Program Manager – Ergonomics at Briotix Health
Use this link to view the webinar:
https://youtube.com/live/vT8NofYyZNU?feature=share
Ergonomics is both a science and an art. In this talk, Heather will take you through what ergonomics really is, why it matters, and how applying common-sense ergonomics principles can help anyone save time and money where you work and/or where you live! Heather has spent over 20 years traveling the world in a career as a Certified Professional Ergonomist, and her role is to help people and companies reduce the risk of injury while at work (or at home!).
About Heather Ritz
Heather attained her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. She is a Certified Professional Ergonomist through the Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists.
Heather’s background includes over 20 years of applying ergonomics in various industries throughout the US and internationally. Heather has worked in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, naval ship building, aerospace, distribution centers, food and beverage, steel foundries, and more. Her interests are in optimizing employee performance and the overall health and well-being of employees through the application of ergonomics in workstation redesign. She also enjoys problem solving as it relates to ergonomics and efficiency.
In her free time, Heather enjoys spending most of her time with her 3 young children, and working inside and outside of her 100 year old home. She also coaches varsity and middle school soccer and enjoys all outdoor activities.
Quantum computers exploit the bizarre features of quantum physics – uncertainty, fuzzy states of reality, quantum entanglement – to perform tasks that are impossible using conventional means. These include the computing and optimizing over ungodly amounts of data; breaking encryption standards; simulating models of chemistry and materials; and communicating via quantum teleportation. However, quantum computers are notoriously hard to build and scale. Despite this, many important problems known and unknown will never be solved until we have them, so society is well-motivated. During the lecture, Professor Montore will discuss the state-of-the-art in this remarkable field, led by scientists and engineers from academia, industry, and government.
About Christopher Monroe
Christopher Monroe is the Gilhuly Family Presidential Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at Duke University. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of IonQ, Inc., the first public quantum computing company. Monroe has pioneered nearly all aspects of atom-based quantum computers and simulators, from demonstrations of the first quantum gate, monolithic semiconductor-chip ion trap, and photonic interconnects between physically separated qubits; to the design, fabrication, and use of full-stack ion trap quantum computer systems in both university and industrial settings. He is a key architect of the US National Quantum Initiative, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, the UK Institute of Physics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Register for Café Sci
Register for the free lecture! Kamin Science Center would like to continue to offer programs like Café Sci, Women in STEM, and others. Please consider making a donation when you register. Once you sign up, you’ll get an email confirmation. Have a question? You’ll be able to type your questions in the Q&A section during the presentation!
Mon., March 30
7:30–9 p.m.
Presenter
Christopher Monroe
(Professor, Duke University; Founder and Chief Scientist, IonQ, Inc.)
Use this link to view the webinar:
https://youtube.com/live/wjPn3ZMtY-U?feature=share
Kamin Science Center is proud to collaborate with Pittsburgh Quantum Institute. Professor Chris Monroe will be giving both a public lecture at PQI 2026 (for STEM students) and also a lecture for the broader public as part of Kamin Science Center’s Café Sci lecture series.
Quantum computers use some of the strangest ideas in physics to do things today’s computers simply can’t. By tapping into uncertainty, entangled particles, and states that don’t behave like everyday reality, they can tackle massive data problems, explore new materials and chemistry, challenge modern encryption, and even enable entirely new ways of communicating. In this talk, Professor Monroe will share where quantum computing stands today—and how researchers across universities, industry, and government are turning these once‑theoretical ideas into real‑world technologies.
About Christopher Monroe
Christopher Monroe is the Gilhuly Family Presidential Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at Duke University. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of IonQ, Inc., the first public quantum computing company. Monroe has pioneered nearly all aspects of atom-based quantum computers and simulators, from demonstrations of the first quantum gate, monolithic semiconductor-chip ion trap, and photonic interconnects between physically separated qubits; to the design, fabrication, and use of full-stack ion trap quantum computer systems in both university and industrial settings. He is a key architect of the US National Quantum Initiative, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, the UK Institute of Physics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Register for Café Sci
Register for the free lecture! Kamin Science Center would like to continue to offer programs like Café Sci, Women in STEM, and others. Please consider making a donation when you register. Once you sign up, you’ll get an email confirmation. Have a question? You’ll be able to type your questions in the Q&A section during the presentation!
Quantum computers exploit the bizarre features of quantum physics – uncertainty, fuzzy states of reality, quantum entanglement – to perform tasks that are impossible using conventional means. These include the computing and optimizing over ungodly amounts of data; breaking encryption standards; simulating models of chemistry and materials; and communicating via quantum teleportation. However, quantum computers are notoriously hard to build and scale. Despite this, many important problems known and unknown will never be solved until we have them, so society is well-motivated. During the lecture, Professor Montore will discuss the state-of-the-art in this remarkable field, led by scientists and engineers from academia, industry, and government.
About Christopher Monroe
Christopher Monroe is the Gilhuly Family Presidential Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at Duke University. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of IonQ, Inc., the first public quantum computing company. Monroe has pioneered nearly all aspects of atom-based quantum computers and simulators, from demonstrations of the first quantum gate, monolithic semiconductor-chip ion trap, and photonic interconnects between physically separated qubits; to the design, fabrication, and use of full-stack ion trap quantum computer systems in both university and industrial settings. He is a key architect of the US National Quantum Initiative, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, the UK Institute of Physics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Register for Café Sci
Register for the free lecture! Kamin Science Center would like to continue to offer programs like Café Sci, Women in STEM, and others. Please consider making a donation when you register. Once you sign up, you’ll get an email confirmation. Have a question? You’ll be able to type your questions in the Q&A section during the presentation!
Dr. Emily Earnest, P.T., D.P.T., W.C.S., C.L.T., C.S.C.S.
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Physical Therapy
Have you ever heard of your pelvic floor? Or have you had problems “down there” and only been told to do Kegels to fix it? Problems of the pelvic floor might seem mysterious, but they are actually perfectly normal. There are ways to prep your pelvic floor to reduce the chance of injury and improve comfort. Join physical therapist Dr. Emily Earnest as she demystifies the pelvic floor and discusses how pelvic floor physical therapy can help your symptoms.
About Dr. Emily Earnest
Dr. Emily Earnest, P.T., D.P.T., W.C.S., C.L.T., C.S.C.S., is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and in 2018 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Emily is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a USA Weightlifting Level 2 Certified Coach. The majority of her clinical practice has focused on pelvic health and lymphedema physical therapy. She also has extensive experience in treating orthopedic concerns and chronic pain. Emily currently works for the VA VISN 4 Clinical Resource Hub Tele-Pain Program as a pelvic health and chronic pain specialist. In her free time, Emily enjoys playing Gaelic football and camogie and writing fantasy novels.
Register for Café Sci
The on-site and virtual event is FREE, but preregistration is required ! Kamin Science Center would like to continue to offer programs like Café Sci, Women in STEM, and others. Please consider making a donation when you register. Once you sign up, you’ll get an email confirmation. Have a question for Emily? You’ll be able to type your questions in the Q&A section during the presentation!
Virtual Café Sci
Presentations
Dr. Davina Durgana on the Fight Against Modern Slavery
Dr. Raj Krishnaswamy on Innovation Strategy for the Polymers Industry
Dr. Andrew R. Zentner Teaches Lessons from the Universe
Doug Dehaven on the Creation of the Button Wall
Has Café Sci had an impact on you? Are you a scientist interested in speaking at Café Sci? Do you have a recommendation for a speaker or topic? Contact us at CustomerService@KaminScienceCenter.org.
Dr. Davina Durgana on the Fight Against Modern Slavery
