Sinister science makes its way to Brisbane

The sinister science of MURDER - venom, poisons, and unpacking the mind of a killer - will be explored by three experts from Queensland at a sell-out event on Friday (16 September).

It is being presented as part of the Australian Academy of Science’s Life + Death series, which has been touring the country, exploring taboo subjects that are designed to spark conversations and challenge perspectives.

Presenters will include:

• Associate Professor Bryan Fry (aka “the venom doc”), who will be exploring the different ways venom attacks the body. Whether it works slowly and painfully over time, or is quick and makes a point, Bryan will be sharing over 25 years of experience in venoms and how they kill.
• Dr Aaron Sell will take a look at the mind of a killer, and how animals and humans have evolved to perform such a ghastly act. Looking at anger, evolutionary biology and psychology, he will describe the ingredients and deep history that lead to one famous murder case.
• Dr Harendra Parekh will talk about turning murder weapons against one of our common enemies – using poisons to kill cancer. Studying the humble cane toad, his team has unlocked some powerful ways to murder one of the biggest killers of our time.

The 10-minute talks at the Queensland Museum are designed to be accessible for the public and provoke conversations about a subject not often discussed – with a Q&A session at the end of the show to answer any burning questions from the audience.

Tickets have sold out, but a video of the talks will be posted online after the event. Doors will open at 6pm on Friday and the talks begin at 6:30pm.

This is the third in a series of five talks, which are running in major cities across Australia. The next in the series will be LIFE in Perth on 10 November 2016.

Speakers will be available for interviews from Wednesday 14 September, please contact Dion Pretorius on 0418 281 777 to arrange.