SASSY San Diego

Nick Deason, while in lab one night, picks a fight with a fruit fly and disaster ensues. How will his mentor react when Nick timidly calls him to tell him about the disaster?

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Nick Deason got his PhD in molecular biology at UCSD and is a member of the SASSY organizing team.

After sleepless nights and failed PCR reactions, Teju finds solace in karate and the philosophy of persistence. Through countless troubleshooting sessions and kata repetitions, she discovers that both plants and people thrive on rhythm.

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Teju Patil is a master's student in the UCSD biological science program

Seven weeks on the Pacific Ocean collecting climate data sounds idyllic—until the snack supply runs out - a low point on the high seas. As tensions rise and a black market for potato chips emerges, one scientist discovers her inner snack pirate. What starts as a tale of rigorous science turns into a salty truth: always bring your own snacks.

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Sophie Shapiro is a physical oceanographer getting her PhD at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Shivani braves Illinois winters and failing experiments—armed with grit, a mother’s unwavering love, and a dash of magical thinking. 

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Shivani Malik is a scientist and author.  She is the Senior Director of Translational Research at Kura Oncology. Her first book will come out in February of 2026!

What starts as a childhood dream turns into a summer of filming dolphins from above as they dance through the water. Until one stormy day pops more than just a research blimp. This is the story of how a dolphin-loving scientist made a pivot, proving that sometimes life’s porpoise takes you somewhere entirely new.

This story was told live at Bivouac Ciderworks on October 29th, 2025 as part of the "Little Lab of Horrors" SASSY event. Scott Rifkin is a professor of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at UCSD.

Theodora thinks that being a marine biologist will be glamorous - swimming in pristine blue oceans with charismatic megafauna. But, the reality is quite different. In this silly story about the trials and tribulations of underwater exploration, a budding scientists comes to embrace the uncomfortable and serendipitously meets her research subjects during a yearly orgy.

Theodora Mautz is a graduate student in marine biology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD. On evenings and weekends, she moonlights as an 80 year old with hobbies such as classical singing, knitting, and watching old movies.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show with the theme "Adaptation".

In this heartfelt story, a Kalle shares how a small companion helped her navigate the challenges of grad school, heartbreak, and illness. With the unexpected loss of her pal, Kalle must navigate grief the only way she knows how, with science.  

Kalle Liimatta is a 5th year grad student in the Biomedical Sciences program at UCSD.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show with the theme "Adaptation".

Justin was just hitting his stride. Excelling in classes, conducting exciting research. But then, everything stopped. Justin's story is about how roadblocks can sometimes turn in to opportunities to adapt and come out stronger than before.

Justin Meyer is a Professor in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at UCSD.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show with the theme "Adaptation".

In a bid to get into her dream graduate school, Bethany majored in Physics. The only problem: Physics 1.  Bethany reflects on what it really means to study physics—and why failing once doesn’t mean you’re not meant for the work. 

Bethany Walkinshaw-Campbell is a PhD student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a scientist for the US Navy.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show with the theme "Adaptation".

What happens when a number changes the way you see yourself? Hui Xin unpacks the science or lack thereof behind quantifying our biology as her and her family grapple with their biometric data in different ways. 

Hui Xin Ng is a graduate student in the Cognitive Science department at UCSD.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show with the theme "Adaptation".