About this Event
A Conversation on Genetics, Chemistry, and the Biology of Attraction
Join a PhD-trained scientist for The Science of Desire: Is Sexuality Written in Our DNA?, a fascinating exploration of the biological science behind human attraction, desire, and connection. We'll look at how our genes, prenatal hormones, and biological processes may influence who we're drawn to, along with the surprising role our sense of smell plays in romantic preferences. From twin studies to the largest genetic study of sexuality ever conducted, involving nearly half a million people, we'll unpack what researchers have discovered about the relationship between our DNA and attraction. Along the way, we'll explore how chemical signals, scent, and biology might influence the connections we make and whether the science of falling for someone is more complicated than simply having a type.
What We'll Cover:
• Is Attraction Written in Our DNA? - Explore what twin studies and large-scale genetic research reveal about the relationship between our genes and sexuality, and why there's no single gene that determines who we're attracted to.
• The Chemistry of Attraction - Discover how prenatal hormones, biological development, and chemical signals may influence desire and romantic preferences. We'll also explore how our sense of smell might play a role in the people we find attractive.
• Can Science Explain Why We Click? - Dive into the fascinating intersection of genetics, chemistry, and human behavior to understand how our biology may shape attraction, why individual preferences differ, and what science still hasn't figured out about human connection.
Whether you've ever wondered why someone gives you butterflies, why a certain person's scent feels familiar, or why attraction can be so difficult to explain, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the science happening beneath the surface. Because sometimes, when we say there's chemistry between two people, we're not just speaking metaphorically!
Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society!
About The Speaker:
Manead Khin has an academic background in Analytical Chemistry and Cancer Biology, holding a PhD in these fields as well as a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Her scientific training provides a foundation for exploring complex questions about chemistry, biological processes, and the ways they influence human experiences. With her background in chemistry and cancer biology, Manead brings a scientific perspective to the fascinating relationship between scent, biology, and human attraction. Her talk offers an opportunity to explore how our sense of smell may influence romantic preferences, the role of chemical signals in attraction, and what scientific research can tell us about the biology behind human connection. By connecting chemistry with an everyday experience like falling for someone, she invites audiences to look beyond the surface and discover the science behind the chemistry we feel.
Good to know before you come:
- Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email
- Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled
- The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward
- This is a participatory event
- Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow
Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Guided Experience / Talk
Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in - it's your experience to enjoy.
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Social Time & Connection
Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!
Event venue & nearby stays
Hopsmith Chicago, 15 West Division Street, Chicago, United States
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