Science Café: Follow your nose: Climate, Energetics, and Human Evolution

  • Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • 7:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Downtown Raleigh

A photo of Dr. Alexa Kelly delivering a presentation in front of library shelves next to a graphic showing a human face with half of it showing the human skull with red dots marking aspects of the nose

Join us in person or watch the livestream on YouTube.

Following the journey of Homo sapiens, Dr. Alexa Kelly will explore how climate influenced human evolution in diverse and extreme environments. Her research focuses on how evolutionary pressures shaped human anatomy, from skeletal structure to physiological adaptations using human skeletal remains in digital CT scans and physically collected remains from around the world.

Dr. Alexa Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Buies Creek, NC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Florida State University and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Before her Ph.D., she served as an archaeological conservator for the FL Bureau of Archaeological Research at the FL Department of State. During her Ph.D., she instructed Anatomy at the Texas College of Medicine (TCOM), Tarrant County College (TCC), and Texas A&M School of Dentistry.

Grab a bite from the Daily Planet Café and join host Chris Smith for our monthly Science Café. Gather with other curious minds at this after-hours event for an informal presentation and conversation about current science topics with guest experts. The Daily Planet Café is open 5–8pm with a full menu during the Science Café.

Details

Date:
May 21
Times:
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Venue

Downtown Raleigh
11 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601 United States
Phone:
919.707.9800

Organizer

Chris Smith
919.707.9296