Biodesign Institute’s 'Penguin Whisperer' kicks off 'A Sip of Science' series
Biodesign's Arvind Varsani at the first "Sip of Science" event. Photo by Ben Petersen
Arizona State University's own “Penguin Whisperer” kicked off the Biodesign Institute’s new event series, “A Sip of Science,” Thursday night at the George and Dragon restaurant in central Phoenix. Dressed for the occasion in a penguin suit, molecular virologist Arvind Varsani entertained the crowd of over 40 people with stories about penguins, viruses and life as a researcher working in Antarctica.
“What do you call a penguin in the desert?” Varsani joked. “A lost penguin!”
Varsani is an associate professor at the Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics at ASU. His research has taken him around the globe, from the tropics to Antarctica. He described his work studying the role of viruses in ecosystems such as the penguin colonies in Antarctica and answered questions from attendees.
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Guests arrive at the first "Sip of Science" event hosted by ASU's Biodesign Institute.
Photo by Ben Petersen
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Biodesign's "Penguin Whisperer" Arvind Varsani dressed up in a penguin suit for the crowd.
Photo by Ben Petersen
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The event space featured photos from Arvind Varsani's research trips to Antarctica.
Photo by Ben Petersen
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The George and Dragon restaurant in central Phoenix created a special drink for the event.
Photo by Ben Petersen
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Graduate students who work with Varsani on research joined in on the penguin fun.
Photo by Ben Petersen
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Arvind Varsani speaks about his penguin and virus research in the Antarctic.
Photo by Ben Petersen
The event was the first of six science chats to be held at restaurants around the Phoenix Valley. “A Sip of Science” is a new outreach program that allows the general public to mingle with notable researchers and scientists and learn about some of the world’s most fascinating scientific issues. The series runs through May 8; more information is available on the Biodesign website. As for Varsani, he is headed back to Antarctica later this year to continue his research.
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