We are delighted to share that one of our SFB1551 group leaders, Michael te Vrugt (JGU Physics), has been featured in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. Last May Michael took part in Pint of Science, an international science outreach initiative, where he left a lasting impression on the audience.

Below is a brief English summary of the article (the original German version can be found [here]):

A Beer with a Zombie Researcher
At the global Pint of Science festival, scientists step out of their labs to bring research into pubs and cafés. In Mainz, physicist Michael te Vrugt captivated the audience with a talk on the zombie apocalypse—not as fiction, but as a playful way to test epidemic models that also apply to real-world diseases such as rabies and COVID-19.

The festival thrives on creativity: audiences have tossed yarn to simulate neural networks, folded origami to explore RNA, and even listened to ukulele songs about fruit flies.

Science slammer Florian Hof, co-organizer of the Mainz event, emphasizes a key difference from traditional science slams: Pint of Science focuses less on competition and more on conversation. Researchers often sit with the audience afterward, making it easier for people to ask questions—sometimes as simple as “How do blind people know when to sleep?” Hof’s favorite reply: “Good question—let’s discuss it over a beer.”

A heartfelt thank you goes to the organizing team for putting together such an inspiring and well-executed event. A special thanks also to Michael te Vrugt for his engaging contribution, which truly brought science to life for the audience!