With the invigorated awareness around climate & environmental issues, we have become a population of ‘naturophiliacs’ – lovers of the natural. With ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and ‘chemical –free’ products being publicised and sold ubiquitously, are these natural products really all that they are hyped up to be? Are chemicals so bad? Can we really live in a ‘chemical-free’ world? Is natural another word for safe? Are synthetic chemicals artificial? Are all artificial chemicals dangerous?

In this talk we will challenge the notions of what is ‘natural’ and what is ‘artificial’, and with hands-on experiences make you question all that you previously thought about chemistry and ‘chemicals’– no lab coats required!

About the speaker:
Maria Gauci describes herself as a staunch chemist with a background in, and a deep fascination for, the world of pharmaceuticals. She is dedicated to disseminate knowledge and awareness of the importance of these so called ‘chemicals’ and ‘drugs’ and the vital role that they play in our daily lives.

Her first degree was a Bachelor’s degree in Biology & Chemistry at the University of Malta, after which she read for a Masters in Drug Design & Biomedical Science at Edinburgh Napier University. She has worked in industrial and academic labs, dealing with all manner of different compounds and molecules with their own special abilities. Her long term aspiration is to make the world of chemistry much more approachable and accessible and show everyone that “we are not all breaking badly!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gauci-09709a130/

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Drop-in event. No ticket required, just show up!
Over 18s only
Doors at 7.15, kickoff at 7.30
This is event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield.

Accessibility: As per the policy of the Admiral Bar, access to the venue “can only be provided to patrons who are sufficiently mobile and capable of independently evacuating premises, or with the minimum of assistance”. Unfortunately, this leaves the basement inaccessible to most wheelchair users.