At March’s Research on Tap, join a UPEI 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’s in the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Dr. Michael Shaver is an assistant professor of chemistry with a focus on “green” chemistry. His lab is developing biodegradable, plant-based polymers to replace conventional plastic.

“There are bad plastics out there,” argues Shaver. “But the benefits of using plastic—the right plastics—can’t be ignored.”

Shaver will also help dispel misconceptions people have about his chosen profession.

“Chemists take their name from ‘alchemy,’ so we’re partially to blame,” says Shaver. “People consider chemistry to be a mysterious black art. But we’re working to change that image.”

Research on Tap is a series of public discussions with UPEI’s researchers in a comfortable environment. Every month of the winter we bring a UPEI researcher to a local pub—in this case, Mavor’s—to 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’s Office of Research Development.