May 5 Science Cafe to focus on the science of attractiveness

Kendra Schmid, Ph.D.

Students, young professionals, health care professionals and science teachers are encouraged to find out what makes people attractive at the next Omaha Science Cafe.

The latest installment of The Science Cafe Series — hosted by UNMC, BioNebraska and the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures — will start at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. in Omaha.

Kendra Schmid, Ph.D., assistant professor of biostatistics in the College of Public Health, will speak on “the science of attractiveness.” Dr. Schmid’s research was recently featured in a documentary on the Discovery Channel and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Dr. Schmid received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Chadron State College in 2001 and earned her master’s degree and doctorate in statistics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

Capitol City Science Cafe The first Lincoln Science Cafe will be held Thursday, May 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at red9 at 9th and M streets. Join Sanjay Singh, M.D., director of the Nebraska Epilepsy Center and associate professor in the department of neurological sciences, as he discusses “how the brain works.” All ages are welcome to attend and purchase food at red9 until 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe and www.red9live.com/event_planning.

Her current research interests include statistical shape analysis, with an emphasis on statistical methods for face recognition and statistical modeling. Dr. Schmid’s research uses the golden ratio to measure the geometry of the face and rate attractiveness on a scale of one to 10.

The Science Cafes are part of an effort by UNMC and other groups to increase the population’s science literacy. A more scientifically literate populace is a goal in UNMC’s strategic plan. The goal of the committee has been to introduce and get young adults interested in science by presenting it in a casual setting.

Michael Feloney, M.D., assistant professor of urologic surgery at UNMC, led a discussion on “the science of sex” at the April Science Cafe, which was attended by more than 100 people.

Those who attend on May 5 should arrive early as free pizza will once again be provided by the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures for the first 50 people.

For more information on upcoming and past Science Cafes, visit
www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe.