Invite a Scientist

Need a keynote speaker? Convention panelist? Podcast guest? Science consultant? Classroom visitor? Somebody willing to explain cave microbes, environmental disasters, alien ecosystems, and questionable movie science with equal enthusiasm?

You've found your people.

The Washburn CHAOS Lab specializes in what happens when biology, geology, chemistry, atmosphere, water, microbes, and environmental systems all collide and start making things interesting. We study caves, contaminated landscapes, underground ecosystems, geohealth, bioprospecting, and the countless weird interactions that emerge when nature ignores the tidy little boxes humans like to draw around academic disciplines.

That means our presentations tend to be a little different.

Sometimes we're talking about the microscopic communities quietly running entire ecosystems beneath your feet. Sometimes we're discussing how landscapes recover after disturbance, why some hillsides stay put while others decide gravity has better ideas, or how biofilms can slowly wage chemical warfare against infrastructure for years before anyone notices. Sometimes we're following the trail from an obscure environmental microbe to a compound that could become a future medicine. Sometimes we're talking about how scientists solve problems when the budget is held together by duct tape, optimism, and the terrifying phrase "I have an idea."

And yes, sometimes we're breaking down the science of monsters, apocalypses, alien worlds, giant radioactive lizards, and whatever scientifically questionable decision Hollywood made this week, because it turns out people are far more willing to learn about genetics, ecology, evolution, chemistry, and environmental systems when a xenomorph is involved.

The goal isn't to impress people with vocabulary. The goal is to make complicated ideas understandable, memorable, and genuinely fun to think about. We believe curiosity belongs to everyone, whether you're a fourth grader, a college student, a cave explorer, a librarian, a convention attendee, a CEO, a novelist, or the person who just wandered into the room because they heard somebody mention flesh-eating bacteria.

Every audience is different, which is why every event is tailored to the people in front of us. Some groups want a formal keynote. Some want an interactive workshop. Some want a classroom visit. Some want a panel discussion. Some want help making the science in their story less ridiculous. All are welcome.

The only real requirement is curiosity. The rest is just controlled scientific chaos.

Before You Submit

Let's address the awkward question before somebody has to ask it.

The Washburn CHAOS Lab is happy to work with schools, universities, libraries, conventions, conferences, community organizations, cave groups, media outlets, industry partners, and creative professionals. Because every event is different, honoraria and fees are determined on a case-by-case basis.

In general, professional speaking engagements, workshops, convention appearances, consulting projects, industry events, conference presentations, and media appearances are expected to provide an appropriate honorarium and cover applicable travel expenses.

For K–12 classrooms, we strongly believe students should have access to science regardless of budget. Virtual classroom visits may be available at little or no cost, and in-person educational visits may be offered at reduced cost depending on location, scheduling, available outreach funding, and the nature of the event. Travel expenses for in-person visits are generally expected to be covered.

University guest lectures, seminars, workshops, and invited presentations typically include an honorarium and travel support through the hosting department, program, college, or organization.

Virtual presentations, interviews, consultations, podcasts, and Q&A sessions are available worldwide and can often provide a lower-cost option when travel is impractical.

Availability varies throughout the year and may be limited by research activities, fieldwork, teaching obligations, conference travel, cave expeditions, grant deadlines, and the occasional battle against administrative paperwork. Submitting an inquiry does not guarantee availability, but we'll do our best to respond and explore options whenever possible.

If budget is a concern, reach out anyway. We'd rather have a conversation than have someone assume the answer is no.

Invite a Scientist Form

Washburn CHAOS Lab

Science is metal. Science is feral. Science is CHAOS.

director@washburnchaoslab.com

#washburnchaoslab

© 2025. All rights reserved.

complex host and abiotic systems

@washburnchaoslab

Feral scientists exploring hostile systems, unstable environments, and the chemistry shaping what survives there.