We all know that learning is more fun when you’re hanging with friends. Nerd Nite operates in 100+ cities around the globe, now including our city - Rochester! Several presenters totally geek out for 20 minutes each. Drink, eat, learn, connect, and talk about fun, interesting stuff with fun, interesting humans.
Presentations begin promptly at 7pm. Get there early to grab a seat, something to eat, and a drink.
@boulder coffee, 100 Alexander St, Rochester
Check out this month's speakers!
RJ Millena presents: Strepsiptera: A Real-Life Xenomorph
When describing the insect order Strepsiptera (common name "twisted-wing parasites"), one might think that they came straight from imaginations belonging to the likes of Ridley Scott or H.P. Lovecraft. As insects that can infect and develop within the abdomens of a huge diversity of other insects, strepsipterans exhibit fascinating evolutionary and biological phenomena that have perplexed scientists for decades. This talk will serve as an overview of what entomologist RJ Millena believes are the most exciting aspects of the twisted-wing parasites. From matriphagy, to sexual dimorphism, to traumatic insemination, to host manipulation—the story of Strepsiptera is one for the ages.
RJ is an entomologist specializing in the evolution, biology, and taxonomy of the twisted-wing parasites. Her doctoral studies at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC were focused on these delightfully bizarre insects, and she has traveled the world to find them both afield and in museum collections. Now at the University of Rochester as a postdoctoral fellow, RJ works closely with Natasha Vacca in the Mora-Kepfer Uy Trop Bio Lab to examine how strepsipteran infection can alter its insect hosts. Outside of the lab, RJ spends time practicing invertebrate & reptile husbandry, improving her flying trapeze skills at ROC City Circus, and dancing ballet. For more fun info on Strepsiptera, RJ's science, or resources for students, see rjmillena.com.
Natasha Vacca presents: Puppeteering parasites and zombie bug brains
Parasites are often nicknamed 'nature's neurobiologists' due to their incredible ability to infect a wide variety of hosts and re-program the host nervous system to fit their own selfish needs. One such 'puppetmaster' is an insect parasite here in upstate New York (maybe even in your backyard!) that infects its social paper wasp host. The parasite not only affects the wasp's behavior creating an isolated 'zombie', but also extends the host lifespan to be 9-13 times longer. In this talk, Natasha explains how she leverages this host-parasite system to understand how these puppeteers defy the nature of aging and control their host to their advantage.
Natasha obtained her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester in 2025 and is now a Biology Ph.D. student in the U of R Biology department. She has spent the past three years in the Mora-Kepfer Uy lab conducting research on the mechanisms of manipulation in insect host-parasite systems, with special emphasis on neural pathways and wasp brain dissection. In her downtime, she loves to read horror novels, cuddle with her cat Oreo, and play video games with her fiancée.
Amanda Ashley presents: From beats to bonds: Harmonizing our community impact
The roadmaps we carry, the detours we endure, the paths we pave forward; as great explorers of human kind, let us set forth on a grand expedition to dive into the depths of connection, belonging, and the impactful ways music can shape us. In this talk, we’ll uncover music’s profound ability to connect us to our senses, to our past and present selves, and to a community in which we all can thrive.
Amanda Ashley is a Long Island–born singer-songwriter who began composing at fourteen and performing publicly by sixteen. After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, she became an active performer and event coordinator in Rochester, NY, where she helped cultivate community, education, and artistic opportunities for local musicians. Her music blends pop, soul, and R&B influences, supported by years of touring and multiple releases—including work with the Amanda Ashley Trio and, more recently, her original duo project SHADES. Beyond performing, Amanda has hosted the “Afternoon Cocktail Talk Show” podcast/videocast, contributed as a columnist for Rochester Woman Online, and currently serves as Program Director for Girls Rock Rochester, empowering youth through music education and creative expression.
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