69传媒

At March鈥檚 Research on Tap, join a 69传媒chemist who will defend both the honour of his profession, and the much-maligned so-called enemy of the environment: plastic. The discussion starts at 7 p.m., March 9, in the bar at Mavor鈥檚 in the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Dr. Michael Shaver is an assistant professor of chemistry with a focus on 鈥済reen鈥� chemistry. His lab is developing biodegradable, plant-based polymers to replace conventional plastic. 鈥淭here are bad plastics out there,鈥� argues Shaver. 鈥淏ut the benefits of using plastic鈥攖he right plastics鈥攃an鈥檛 be ignored.鈥� Shaver will also help dispel misconceptions people have about his chosen profession. 鈥淐hemists take their name from 鈥榓lchemy,鈥� so we鈥檙e partially to blame,鈥� says Shaver. 鈥淧eople consider chemistry to be a mysterious black art. But we鈥檙e working to change that image.鈥� Research on Tap is a series of public discussions with UPEI鈥檚 researchers in a comfortable environment. Every month of the winter we bring a 69传媒researcher to a local pub鈥攊n this case, Mavor鈥檚鈥攖o discuss his or her area of expertise. For more information, call (902)620-5117, or e-mail datkinson@upei.ca. Research on Tap is presented by UPEI鈥檚 Office of Research Development.