Scientist to speak on space exploration
An award-winning scientist speaks at the next BotSoc meeting about what she finds most fascinating about the prospect of being among the first Earthlings to move to Mars.
THE Botanical Society of South Africa KZN Coastal Branch presents Watch this space! Expanding our imaginations and our world, an illustrated talk by Dr Adriana Marais, on Monday, 7 March at Durban Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre at 6pm.
According to Marais, we are living in a new era of innovation in space exploration. The possibility of contributing to the discovery of evidence of extra-terrestrial life is what the award-winning scientist finds most fascinating about the prospect of being among the first Earthlings to move to Mars.
Adriana went to school in Pietermaritzburg and studied theoretical physics and philosophy at UCT. She completed her MSc summa cum laude in quantum cryptography at UKZN, and was awarded her PhD in quantum biology also at UKZN. She is a member of the UKZN Quantum Research Group. Her research interest includes quantum effects in photosynthesis and the origins of prebiotic molecules and life itself.
Since childhood she has dreamed of living on another planet, and she is currently one of the top 100 Mars One Project astronaut candidates in the running to move to the red planet in 2026.
All welcome. Entrance is R40 for members of BotSoc and the Friends of Durban Botanic Gardens, R60 for visitors, and R30 for students with cards, including refreshments. Pay at the door.
Proceeds to the BotSoc branch and to Adriana’s fund to sponsor a deserving UCT student’s BSc.
No need to book. For enquiries email: botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za or contact 031 201 5111 or 071 869 3693.
