In May, after he was an invited speaker for the Science on Tap series in Grand Rapids, L. Robert Peters, PhD, wondered if a similar initiative would resonate in Kalamazoo with faculty and learners from WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) and Western Michigan University (WMU), as well as members of the community.
The answer? A resounding yes.
This past fall, Dr. Peters, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at WMed, along with colleagues from the medical school and faculty from WMU, launched a new Science on Tap speaker series in downtown Kalamazoo.
The event, held the first Thursday of the month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Old Dog Tavern, 402 E. Kalamazoo Avenue, aims to create a space where local scientists can connect with the community while fostering dialogue, curiosity, and a shared appreciation for how research shapes the world. Over the last few months, the presentations from invited speakers from the medical school, WMU, and Kalamazoo College have drawn standing-room only crowds to Old Dog Tavern.
“We’re trying to promote lifelong learning and build bridges between scientists and the community,” Dr. Peters said. “And, from the very beginning, we’ve had great participation from our audiences, they ask lots of good questions, and people hang around after to meet and engage with the speakers.”
While Science on Tap is new to Kalamazoo, the speaker series has been around for years and takes place at venues in cities across the country, including Milwaukee, Orlando, and Philadelphia, among many others.
As part of making Science on Tap a reality in Kalamazoo, Dr. Peters formed a steering committee of collaborators that includes Ruth Butters, Fernando Ospina, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Julie VanGyseghem, PhD, from WMed, as well as Emily Driessen, PhD, assistant professor of Biological Sciences and Science Education, and John Spitsbergen, PhD, professor of Biological Sciences, from WMU.
Since its launch in September, a total of five speakers have given presentations at Science on Tap on an array of topics. The most recent speaker, David Wilson, PhD, chair and associate professor in the Department of Physics at Kalamazoo College, presented “Biophysics – where biology meets the universe” on February 5.
Meanwhile, Drs. Spitsbergen and VanGyseghem were the presenters in October and hosted a discussion on the health benefits of physical activity.
“It’s about finding ways to be able to critically think and letting the community know that science is for everybody, not just for folks in white coats in a lab,” said Dr. VanGyseghem, who serves as an instructor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at WMed. “The series really stretches us as scientists and educators to make the material we’re presenting accessible and easy to understand for the community. It’s been very exciting to walk into the event and see that it’s packed with people and that folks are interested in this.”
Butters, who serves as Population Health Research Coordinator at WMed, said Old Dog Tavern has proven to be the perfect location for Science on Tap. The venue has plenty of drink options for adults and also offers a comprehensive food menu, non-alcohol options, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
“We’re really trying to connect scientists and researchers to the community, helping them inform the community, and giving them the opportunity to share the joy and passions of what they are working on,” Butters said. “And we’re doing that in a casual space and making the information easy to understand and more accessible than reading a journal article or attending a lecture. Attendees are getting to understand some of the nitty-gritty details and it helps them understand that the process of science can sometimes be complicated and take time, but it’s also relevant to their lives and can be understood.”
“I’ve also really appreciated the relationship building that has occurred within our committee and team and collaborating across our institutions to make this happen,” Butters added. “The brightest spot is seeing the kiddos at these events and watching them ask questions and engage.”
In addition to the positive impact for the community, Dr. Peters said Science on Tap is also beneficial for learners at WMed, WMU, and K-College.
“It’s community building and networking and it presents an opportunity for students to come learn about different topics of interest in science and broaden their horizons,” he said.
The speaker series will welcome three more speakers this academic year in March, April and May. The upcoming events include:
- March 5, 2026: “The world’s most interesting organ …” | Jerry Bouma, PhD, WMed
- April 2, 2026: “Got herpes? Probably! Why most of us have lifelong viral hitchhikers, and that's okay” | Kylee Morrison, PhD, WMU
- May 7, 2026: “Advances in kidney disease research at WMed” | Erik Larson, PhD, WMed, and community members
Looking ahead, Dr. Peters said he is excited about the amount of interest Science on Tap has garnered in the community. The event will continue and the steering committee plans to start building its list of speakers for the 2026-2027 academic year “very soon,” he said.