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Upcoming events

    • August 18, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speakers : Dr. Sophia Wang and Dr. Jeff Dage

    Dr. Dage and Dr. Wang will talk about current research in using blood based and other biomarkers for early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's and other dementias.

    Both researchers are from the IU School of Medicine and specialize in this area.


    • August 25, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Michelle O'Hollaren

    This talk will explore the relationship between the creative realm of art and the innovative world of technology, highlighting how the two disciplines come together to shape the modern creative industry; including topics such as computer-generated art, 3D printing, virtual reality and immersive art.

    Michelle O'Hollaren is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at the Indianapolis Art Center.

    Sponsored by Jeff Rasley




    • September 01, 2025
    • 12:00 PM


    • September 08, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speakers: Alan Schmidt and Ruth Schmidt

    The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was for computational protein design and protein structure prediction.  The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics was for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity. 

    Alan D. Schmidt received a BS in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a retired environmental engineer, Indiana Department of Environmental Engineering.

    Ruth Schmidt, received a BS ChE Case Western Reserve U, PhD in chemical engineering from the UW - Madison, and  an MBA from Cleveland State. She is a retired pricing economist, United States Postal Service.



    • September 15, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speakers: Marvin Miller Philip Sowders

    Philip Sowders will summarize the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton "for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial and neural networks'.

    Marvin Miller will summarize the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun 'for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.'

    Marvin Miller is a retired psychiatrist. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association. He is also a past president of the Indianapolis Psychiatric Society.

    Philip Sowders is has been a chemist, psychologist, senior behavioral health consultant, director of Autism Services, Founder/Partner, clinical director Franklin Family Services, Psychologist. He is a member of the International Centre for Leadership Results, Open Minds Physics Review, Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity,



    • September 22, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Rod Reid

    A STEAM program based around auto racing. Rod will describe the Next Generation Youth Motorsports program. The classroom topics include timing, statistics gathering, and the level of accuracy needed. It also includes physics of the track and the correct line to follow for the greatest success. Mechanics come in to talk about the opportunities and limitations, safety features of the car and ways to avoid injuries.  On the track, the participants learn about the flags used to communicate with the drivers. The instructors cover how fuel economy is balanced with speed and ways to prevent unnecessary braking. The physical forces on the car such as over and under steering, accelerating too much in turns and inappropriate breaking. Auto racing can be a life goal, but this program can spur interest in many other areas.

    Rod Reid has been  the director of NSG Youth Motorsports since 2006. Previously he worked for RLR Associates. He has a degree in Architectural/ Civil Engineering from Purdue University.  He is a board member for the International Center of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Arts Center.

    Sponsored by Bill Halsema

    • September 29, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Josh Matthews

    In 2015, encouraged by Jeff Rasley, I pushed off from his modest White River dock and set sail for New Orleans. 1400 miles later I arrived and was greeted by NOLA Coast Guard and was told that I wasn't allowed to be kayaking on the Mississippi. The talk will focus on the real and potential dangers I faced: misleading maps, Silver Carp, barge and river traffic, dams, alligators and mosquitos, night fall, sun exposure and dehydration, inclement weather, and many more!

    In 2015, encouraged by Jeff Rasley, I pushed off from his modest White River dock and set sail for New Orleans. 1400 miles later I arrived and was greeted by NOLA Coast Guard and was told that I wasn't allowed to be kayaking on the Mississippi. The talk will focus on the real and potential dangers I faced: misleading maps, Silver Carp, barge and river traffic, dams, alligators and mosquitos, night fall, sun exposure and dehydration, inclement weather, and many more!

    Josh Matthews was raised in Indiana. The day after he graduated from Marian University in 2013, he booked a one-way flight to Kathmandu with Scientech Club members Jeff Rasley, Jerry Williams, and David Culp. He taught in Vietnam before returning to the US a year later to teach elementary and high school.

    He has lived in New York city where he learned about real estate. He has traveled Europe including walking El Camino de Santiago - a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain.

    He has had a lot of adventures on his way to becoming a real estate agent, a husband and a father to Andril and Sophia.

    • October 06, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Birgit Priest

    The talk describes the health statistics and health care system in Honduras in contrast to that in the US. Maybe surprisingly life expectancy is only 4 years less in Honduras despite poor access to health care. It also describes the fairly unique approach of the non-profit Global Brigades to supply health care to underserved rural populations through volunteer medical brigades, and training of community health workers.


    Our Speaker is a scientist involved in pharmacology research and is passionate about helping others and finding sustainable solutions.

    • October 13, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: James Lowery

    This presentation explains an alternative wastewater treatment system that uses plants to naturally clean wastewater such as domestic (homesite) wastewater, industrial wastewater, business buildings discharges, stormwater, etc.  It will explain how plants clean wastewater and the different types of constructed wetlands.


    James Lowery is former Director of Management Support Services , University of Birmingham


    Sponsored by Alan Schmidt

    • October 20, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Suzanne Stanis

    The Second Empire style of architecture, easily identified by its sloping mansard roofs, dominated Parisian architecture from the 1850s-1870s. In the United States, the style went from fashionable and fancy to spooky.  Join Suzanne Stanis of Indiana Landmarks to learn how Second Empire architecture became typecast as “haunted” by Hollywood and see a few examples from across the state.

    Suzanne Stanis serves as the Vice President of Heritage Education at Indiana Landmarks. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University. Suzanne oversees Indiana Landmarks’ Indianapolis tours, the heritage tourism divisions of West Baden Springs/French Lick Springs hotels, and Samara, a notable Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in West Lafayette.

    Outside of her role at Indiana Landmarks, Suzanne serves on the boards of the Athenaeum Foundation and the National Preservation Partners Network.



    Sponsored by Jeff Rasley

    • November 03, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Kisha Tandy

    Inspired by a scrapbook, Kisha Tandy will shed light on the ways in which Black people flourished in Indianapolis despite the influence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s.

    Our Speaker is Curator of Social History at the Indiana State Museum, Scholar, Indianapolis Foundation, 1993-1997, Minority Achievement scholar, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 1996-1997, Zora Neale Hurstson-Mari Evans scholar, Indiana University Purdue University School Liberal Arts, 1997—2000. 

    Sponsored by Alison Brown

    • November 10, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Bill Mengel

    Overview of RCA/Thomson's role in the development of the DirecTV Digital Satellite System in the 1990's. The system was totally digital and new, forming the basis for HDTV itself. It was developed as a response to an RFQ from Hughes to develop a commercial satellite based service. Bill's talk covers the wide variety of issues and hurdles beyond the technical development itself.

    Bill was employed by RCA/Thomson for 40 years serving in operations, marketing, and engineering with several US patents. He is a Senior Life Member of IEEE.

    Sponsored by John Peer

    • December 15, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Richard Gunderman

    After conducting our required annual meeting and the election of officers for 2026, Richard Gunderman will talk about the impact of the life of John Shaw Billings. He was a Civil War Surgeon, founded the National Library of Medicine, developed the Index Medicus, founded the New York Public Library, designed Johns Hopkins Hospital, and introduced punch cards to the US census, laying the groundwork for IBM, as well as many other notable contributions.

    Richard Gunderman, MD, PhD, is Professor of Radiology, IU School of Medicine. He is a Scientech Club member and past speaker.


    • December 22, 2025
    • 12:00 PM


    • December 29, 2025
    • 12:00 PM


    • January 26, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Dr. Maria Iturbide-Chang

    Wetlands are the unsung heroes of Indiana’s landscapes, providing essential ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and carbon sequestration. Despite their critical role, Indiana has lost over 85% of its original wetlands, leaving these vital ecosystems at risk. This presentation explores the ecological importance of wetlands, their status in Indiana, and the challenges they face due to policy changes, development, and environmental degradation. Using science-based insights and real-world examples, we will delve into successful restoration initiatives and advocate for integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning and conservation efforts. The session will also present actionable steps to protect and restore wetlands, including community engagement strategies, policy advocacy, and scalable restoration techniques.

    Maria is the Water policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council. As the former Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in Guatemala and the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization FUNCAGUA (water fund) for nine years, she spearheaded initiatives in freshwater management, policy formulation, and strategic planning.

    Maria holds a Doctorate in Environmental Policy and Planning from Lincoln University, New Zealand, a Master's in Environmental Sciences, a BS in Biology from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, and postgraduate studies of (i) Nature-Based Solutions for Water Challenges from Technische Universitat Dresden, Germany, (ii) Water Cooperation and Diplomacy from the University of Geneva, and (iii) Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy from Purdue University-Indiana.

    Sponsored by Christopher Moore




    • April 06, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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    Speaker: Richard Gunderman

    Based on the work of Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch, two of the most formidable women in philosophy in the 20th century, this talk makes the case that how we direct our attention has a bigger impact on the moral dimension of our lives than our sense of right and wrong. In our current political climate, it is a really timely topic.

    Richard Gunderman, MD, PhD, is Professor of Radiology, IU School of Medicine. He is a Scientech Club member and past speaker.


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