EXPERTS AND MEDIA
OSU Research on Tap
Connecting the community.
With a different researcher each month from the sciences, arts and humanities Research on Tap is an opportunity to have a conversation regarding their work and the impact it has on you and your community.
We hope you will join us the third Monday of each month to enjoy some of Stillwater’s own local brew while chatting about some of the interesting research happening here on the OSU campus. The event begins with approximately 20 minutes of conversation between the Vice President of Research and the researcher, followed by questions and answer session with the audience.
Monday, November 23, 2026
"From Worms to the Web: Unlocking the Principles of Intelligence"
Expert Guest: Dr. Roger Mailler, Professor of Computer Science
What makes intelligence possible? Is it something unique to the human brain, or does it emerge whenever many simple parts work together in the right way?
In this Research on Tap conversation, VPR Kenneth Sewell will talk with Dr. Roger Mailler about how intelligence can arise from interactions among simple systems, from the tiny nervous system of a microscopic worm to vast networks of computers that help manage global supply chains. Along the way, he'll discuss how ideas from biology, computer science, and artificial intelligence are reshaping our understanding of learning, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Join us for an engaging look at one of science's biggest questions: not just what intelligence is, but how it emerges from connections and interactions all around us.
More Information on the Research on Tap Series...
Upcoming Schedule:
| Date | Expert Guest | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| November 16, 2026 | Roger Mailler | Computational neuroscience -- and how groups of intelligent computer agents can coordinate, communicate, and solve complex problems in distributed systems |
| December 21, 2026 | Douglas Knutson | Rural health care access expansions and community-based behavioral health education strategies |
| January 18, 2027 | Brian Whitacre | The role technology can play in rural economic development |
| February 15, 2027 | Clint Aichele | Applying advanced experimental techniques to challenges in energy and environmental systems, including oil–water separation, carbon-related processes, and water treatment |
| March 15, 2027 | Sumit Mandal | How firefighters’ protective clothing may not protect against toxic smoke particles emitted during wildland and oilfield fires |
| April 19, 2027 | Jaime Schussler | Stormwater management, including erosion and sediment control, and identifying practical solutions to manage increased stormwater runoff and sediment loads from construction, urban, agricultural, and reclamation sites |
Recommend a Guest Expert:
Would you like to be considered for a guest spot in an upcoming Research on Tap session, or would you like to suggest a colleague? Please complete the online recommendation form. We plan our Research on Tap guest schedule several months in advance, so submit early for consideration.
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If you would like to receive notifications and additional information for upcoming Research on Tap sessions, please complete this brief online sign-up form, and we will send you an email invitation to attend.
Watch Previous Episodes of Research on Tap!
Previous episodes of Research on Tap can be viewed on YouTube. Click here to go to the playlist.