May Nerd Nite: Enter the Gene Pole

We describe Nerd Nite like the Discovery Channel, but with beer. Two speakers will present for ~20 minutes each about their particular nerdery, while the audience drinks along. May's topics include pole fitness (it's not just for strippers), gene therapy (the new hawtness in fighting cancer), and some bitchin' Game of Thrones trivia to celebrate the culmination of the series. Details:

"Gene Therapy: Medicine's New Frontier." Gene therapies are one of the frontiers of modern medicine. This group of techniques focuses on delivering genes into patient cells or replacing mutated ones. Current gene therapy approaches include AAV-mediated gene therapy, liposome delivery, and CRIPSR-Cas9 gene editing. A number of these therapies are already commercially available, with additional disease targets currently undergoing late stage clinical trials.

-Manpreet Bains recently graduated with a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathogenesis where his research focused on the interactions of the neuropeptide, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, and the body. His research involved understanding how VIP impacted eosinophils and T-cells in the immune system, altered metabolism, and modified the microbiome. Likes include big words, Qdoba lunches, and LinkedIn.

"Not Your Mama's Workout: The Evolution of Pole Fitness." Join the owners of Fargo's Zero Gravity Alternative Fitness as they discuss the origin of pole dance and its subsequent evolution as a form of entertainment, sport, and alternative exercise. Learn the benefits of pole fitness, challenges facing the pole community, and the truth about about dancing in 9-inch platform stilettos.

-Gina Bushey is a Fargo native with a background in performance and public speaking. She earned a BS in Speech Communication from NDSU, with a minor in Anthropology. Gina found her way to pole fitness in 2011. Misty found pole in 2012. Her background includes education and coaching, with a BS in Chemistry and MEd in Science Education from NDSU, and a Masters in Forensic Psychology from UND, where she is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Foundations & Research. Together, they launched Zero Gravity Alternative Fitness in 2016. Both have performed and judged in multiple showcases and competitions since that time, and teach all levels of pole at Zero Gravity.

PLUS prizes, beer, and general nerdery. Free and open to the public. See your beautiful faces there.