DragonCon 2026: 2 Dragon 2 Con

I mean, what IF dragons, though?

One of the many great things about the mainstreaming of nerd culture is that I can now say, “I go to DragonCon” and not have a bunch of people look at me like I have 3 heads. They might not know about DragonCon specifically, but they know about San Diego Comic Con, NY Comic Con, and others. It’s really nice to have something I enjoy so much met with a smile of recognition, rather than an instant grimace of disdain.

For those who don’t know, DragonCon is a fan-run convention that takes place every year in downtown Atlanta, where 75,000+ amazing nerds gather over Labor Day Weekend to hear panels, meet their favorite celebrities, and do some of the most amazingly skilled cosplay you have ever seen. I’ve seen fully handmade armor from the Spartans to Murderbots. Costumes of Doc Oc so elaborate the person in them cannot physically walk. Star Wars droids that are fully screen-accurate…and work. Seeing the creative abilities of so many people is a joy in and of itself.

The con also has TRACKS where people can discuss their specific nerd joys. This is where I come in. The Science Track is full of scientists and science communicators, sharing our expertise and our joy! From physics and neuroscience, to the pharmacology of your favorite anime, we are unafraid to apply real science to fantasy and sci-fi. Most of us are nerds too, and share the same loves as our audiences. We’re not here to say “well, actually.” We’re here to say “well, what IF…”

DragonCon is one of the best weekends of my year, every year, and I’m so thrilled to be heading back! If you’d like to hear me hold forth on the pharmacology of The Apothecary Diaries, why humans are a terrible robot shape, and which D&D monsters are best for a night of romance (yes), look me up! And check out the Science Track, and inject some joyful curiosity into your con.

My schedule:

Title: The Apothecary Diaries: Medical Science Through The Ages
Description: Medicine has come so far, but its roots are with plants! Let's discuss the advancement of medical uses of plants from ancient times to the present.
Time: Fri 11:30 am
Location: 209-211 Hilton

Title: The D&D Monsterotica Manual
Description: Buff your charisma and roll for initiative with our scientists as we romp through the Monster Manual. Learn how to bed a beholder, knot with a gnoll, mingle with a mimic, and more!
Time: Fri 10:00 pm (This is an evening panel, it will NOT be family friendly. You have been warned.)
Location: Grand East Hilton

Title: Supplemental Data: Everything You Need To Know About Natural Remedies
Description: A lot of supplements may be questionable, but are there any that have actual evidence behind their claims? And if so, how do you buy them in a safe and effective manner despite the regulation (or lack thereof) in the market?
Time: Sat 10:00 am
Location: 209-211 Hilton

Title: Human-Shaped Robots: An Engineering Nightmare
Description: Humanoid robots: why? A human is a terrible shape for a lot of jobs. Let's consider the human body from a design perspective and ask what parts are worth replicating and when.
Time: Sat 01:00 pm
Location: 209-211 Hilton

Title: Doing Drugs... For Science!
Description: Where do scientists source recreational drugs for research purposes? What is the process for getting approval to study illegal drugs on animals or even humans? What animals do scientists give recreational drugs to and why is it always zebrafish?
Time: Sat 04:00 pm
Location: 209-211 Hilton

Title: Nerd Nite: DragonCon!
Description: It's the 12th annual Nerd Nite / "Solve for X" Spectacular! Join our talented guests in another installment of our science-themed night out!
Time: Sat 10:00 pm (This is an evening panel, it will NOT be family friendly. You have been warned.)
Location: Grand East Hilton

Title: Wake Up! Science of Stimulants
Description: What goes better with Monday Morning at Dragon Con than a fresh pot of coffee? A whole panel about the science of all the wonderful substances that can put pep in your step!
Time: Mon 01:00 pm
Location: 209-211 Hilton

Where have I been?

• Did you know North and South America used to have a sea between them? South America was the Australia of the early Miocene, marsupials and all. Then, they joined at the Isthmus of Panama. And mammals from the north flooded south. Uh oh...

• Watching the FDA “review” new peptides and decide yeah, we totally need to make more of those…despite little evidence of their efficacy or safety.

• Cheering because the Senate has but a stop in place to stop the political takeover of the federal grant process! The proposed rule change received hundreds of thousands of comments. The stall is not permanent. But it could be. It’s proof that if enough people call, and email, and comment? It works.

Feed your curiosity:

• "Caro says he couldn’t have read every paper from LBJ’s time in The White House, because it would have taken him “six lifetimes,”.... I thought, well, he actually had two lifetimes, didn’t he? His and Ina’s. And I have less than one, really." What it means for a writer to have a wife. And what it means when you don’t.

• A new genetic finding shows that Neanderthal genes could play a role in how big modern human muscles get. It’s very cool, but you just KNOW some guy is going to try to CRISPR himself for body building. Do. Not.

• I only subscribe to OnlyFans for the marmots. The MARMOTS! I SWEAR! A research group, their funding cut (as so many labs have been), is turning to OnlyFans to fund their research on marmots with OnlyMarms. This is the full marmot.

• I'm just here to say I've been hating on the protein-maxxing phenomenon since before it was cool (you're not even getting to the gym twice a week what muscle are you building my guy you're just trying to make your smoothie manly) and HAH I WAS RIGHT. (In mice)

Image credit: Bantar Prakoso on Unsplash