Hiding in Plain Sight: How Butterflies use Physics to be Invisible

Since 1991, Carnegie Science has hosted extraordinary researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines as part of the Capital Science Evenings lecture series. The lectures provide a unique opportunity to connect with some of the most gifted investigators in science and hear the stories behind their discoveries. These hour-long lectures, followed by a brief question and answer period, go beyond the media accounts for a firsthand look at the “ah-ha” moments, the setbacks, and the triumphs that drive brilliant minds and fundamentally change our understanding of the world around us."

Discover the fascinating science behind butterfly camouflage! While we often admire the stunning colors and patterns on butterfly wings, these features also serve as vital protection against predators like birds. From blending in with greenery using structural coloration—a clever physics-based trick—to achieving transparency for invisibility, butterflies and moths showcase remarkable adaptations. Join us as Dr. Nipam Patel delves into how recent advances in cell biology, microscopy, and genetics are uncovering the secrets behind these incredible natural phenomena.

- Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

- Seating in the auditorium is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photo Credit: Nipam Patel

Nipam Patel, Ph.D., is director of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and a professor at the University of Chicago. He joined the MBL in 2018 from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was professor and co-chair of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and professor in the Department of Integrative Biology. Patel is the 20th scientist to serve as MBL director since its founding in 1888.

Patel grew up in El Paso, Texas, and received an A.B. in Biology from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Biology from Stanford University. Prior to joining UC Berkeley in 2003, he was a professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago (1995 to 2003), a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (1995 to 2010), and a staff associate in the Department of Embryology at the Carnegie Institution in Baltimore, Md. (1991 to 1995). Full Biography

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street Northwest, Washington, United States