Following up their popular May event, Sarah Goforth, Mary Hanson and the folks at the National Science Foundation will be holding their monthly Café Scientifique out in Ballston at The Front Page. Neuroscientist Kathie Olsen will be expounding under the evening’s heading of Your Phantasmagorical Brain!.

As the Beltway is a rather loquacious place, it’s the more verbal left side of the brain that usually gets a workout around these parts. For those who left the left side of their brain on the pillow this morning, press material for Café Scientifique explains the word as “complex, constantly changing, fantastic, a bit surreal.” The brain is surreal, indeed.

With a PhD in Neuroscience from University of California, Irvine, Dr. Olsen, who serves as the Deputy Director of the NSF, was picked to speak at Café Scientifique for her cool research involving the brain. Her work has involved the neuroscience and genetics that are behind individual behavior. Read: scientifically, how it is that our noggins makes us who we are, complexities and all.

Sarah Goforth noted in an email that Dr. Olsen will most likely discuss male and female differences in the brain, and (summer interns, take note) how the brain changes during adolescence. As for the male and female part, being a very accomplished women in science, perhaps Dr. Olsen will shed some light on Larry Summers’comments regarding women in science and math from way back when. As with past Café Scientifiques, they’re all about discussing interesting and complex science topics in plain English, and questions from the audience are most certainly encouraged.

Event Details from press information as follows:

WHAT: Cafe Scientifique (Arlington). This month’s topic: Your Phantasmagorical Brain!

WHO: Neuroscientist Kathie Olsen

WHEN: Tuesday, June 6, 2006

WHERE: The Front Page – 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (across from
Ballston Commons Mall – Ballston Metro Stop)

HOW: 6:00-6:30 Light hors d’oeuvres (Buy your own drink or meal.
Specials available.)

6:30-8:00 Short presentation, followed by Q&A

Free and open to the public. No science background required! Limited seating — first come, first seated.

WHY: Why not? (And because science needs you.)