We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Chaibongsai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?
In my day job, I am a science communicator who specializes in outreach and citizen science programs in marine and atmospheric sciences. When I learned about Nerd Nite, which started in Boston and New York and is in cities across the world, I wanted to bring it to Miami. I loved the idea of creating a fun space for people to share their nerdy passions. I convinced a graduate student studying Applied Marine Physics, Nathan Laxague, to join me in this crazy project. When we went to the Big Boss in NY, he introduced us to Melissa Blundell Osorio, a Nerd Nite New York regular and an anthropologist who just moved to Miami. We now had a great mix of social science and natural science, so the next step was to recruit speakers. Nerd Nite topics have ranged from art and poetry to mathematics, oceanography, and forensics. Some of my favorites were the Physics of Juggling and a Brief History of Underwear. We welcome anyone to share their nerdy passions!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
As a self proclaimed science nerd, it brings me joy to share the research that I find so amazing with others. In my day job, I am a science communicator who specializes in outreach and citizen science programs in marine and atmospheric sciences. One night each month, I host Nerd Nite Miami along with some of Miami’s greatest community engagement professionals. Nerd Nite is a global event series in which 3 speakers give fun-yet-informative presentations, on anything they are nerdy about, all while the audience drinks along. Melissa Blundell Osorio (an anthropologist studying human evolution and behavior), Nathan Laxague (an oceanographer studying fluid dynamics), and I brought Nerd Nite to Miami in 2013. Nerds with interests ranging from art and poetry to mathematics and Sailor Moon have descended on Gramps Bar in Wynwood on the second Thursday of each month.
Melissa and Nathan have since left Miami to pursue their nerdy passions and Rebecca Peterson and Gary Bremen, two of Miami’s best educators and community organizers, have brought new ideas, speakers, and nerdiness to the team. To learn more about Nerd Nite Miami, please visit miami.nerdnite.com or follow us @nerdnitemiami.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When Nerd Nite Miami first started, I thought a nerd was a scientist who played Dungeons & Dragons. I envisioned presentations of biology, physics, math, maybe the occasional talk on video games or computers. I have since learned that we are all nerdy about something (or several things). In the last 8 years, I have been amazed at the breadth and depth of knowledge in the Miami community and so appreciative that so many people have shared their passions with our community.
Here are just a handful of some talk titles to give you an idea of just how wrong I was:
– Gravity, Space & Time. Chainsaws, Fire & Friends (The Physics of Juggling)
– A Brief History Of Underwear
– Medieval Architecture 101 (Or How I Learned to Stop Being Basic When Visiting the Medieval Cathedrals of France)
– Banned Books: What’s Your Number?
– Okavango – Survival of the Fittest
– Falafels in Fallujah
– Fear & Loathing in Biscayne National Park: The Dark History of a Maritime Paradise
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Last year, my co-boss, partner, and friend took an amazing opportunity that led her away from Miami. I genuinely didn’t think I could continue Nerd Nite Miami without her. We were a team. But with her support and encouragement, we recruited two more bosses who have brought new ideas, a new network of nerdy speakers, and lots of fun. This has not only reminded me that I personally have a fantastic network of talented people in my life, but that Miami is filled with so many awesome, kind, supportive nerds. Come meet some at the next Nerd Nite! (2nd Thursdays at Gramps)
Contact Info:
- Website: miami.nerdnite.com
- Instagram: @nerdnitemiami
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NerdNiteMiami
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55520857
- Twitter: @nerdnitemiami
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NerdNite
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nerd-nite-miami-miami
- Other: https://www.meetup.com/Nerd-Nite-Miami
Image Credits
“Nerd Nite Miami”