Penn State College of Medicine and the Office of Graduate Education is pleased to host Sarah Adelman, MPH, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and research scientist in-person on Friday, September 18th, 2026.

Registration is required for the Keynote and Joke Writing Workshops. Graduate students, postdocs, and faculty will receive registration information via email. Email Jessica Kirkwood with any questions.

Keynote: 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Lecture Room C (C6616)

Sarah Adelman, MPH, will bring her hit keynote, Seriously Funny: Using Humor and Storytelling for Science Communication, to Penn State College of Medicine this fall! Sarah is an award-winning comedian, published research scientist, and nationally touring speaker who combines the principles of stand-up comedy with evidence-based communication strategies to help researchers communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. Through real-world examples and practical techniques, this lecture explores how humor can build trust, make complex ideas memorable. This is a great event for anyone who loves science and wants to find new and engaging ways to connect with audiences both inside and outside academia.

Joke-Writing Workshops: 12:45 – 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (same workshop, two different times), Room will be shared with those confirmed for a workshop (spaces are limited).

Following the keynote, invited graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and fellows, and faculty can put these skills into practice during an interactive workshop where they’ll apply humor and storytelling techniques to their own research, presentations, and science communication.

strong>Stand-Up Comedy Show: 8:00 p.m., location TBD – Hershey area

Sarah also plans to headline a local comedy venue the night of September 18th, so mark your calendars and stay tuned for additional info for a fun night out!