
Culture & Science events hosted by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics provide a forum for discussion, offering our alumni and friends an opportunity to connect various components of cultural interests to the intricacies of science.
Red and White Wine Event

Thursday, February 11
Reception/Pre-Event Chat: 6 pm
Wine Event: 6:30–8 pm
Wine Kit Price (Serves 2): $100
Wine Kit Pick-Up (Registration Required):
Wednesday, February 10
Spec’s Midtown, 2410 Smith Street
Houston, TX 77006
Join us for NSM’s 8th annual event celebrating red and white wines! Like many events, this year will be a little different but just as fun!
The popular wine event brings together NSM alumni, friends, faculty and staff for an educational evening of gastronomical delights. This year, we’ll focus on screw-top wines! Not only have they grown in popularity over the years, but they’ll stay fresher longer, allowing you to enjoy them during the event and after.
Featured Wines
Paladin Prosecco
The scent is distinctly fruity, with notes of apple and pear and a delicate hint of citrus fruit.
2018 Bliss Chardonnay
This estate chardonnay has aromas of fresh kiwi and notes of crisp green apple. Bright fruit flavors are followed by a touch of butterscotch. They are complemented by a rich round mouth feel and lingering dried apricot flavors. The finish is balanced with good acidity and is sure to please!
2017 Bliss Cabernet Sauvignon
This estate cabernet leads with aromas of blackberry figs and mocha. Rich blackberry fruit in the entry with allspice and subtle oak nuances in the mid palate. Always food friendly, this balanced wine is completed with a touch of coffee bean and chocolate integrated tannins and a long finish.
How It Works
- Let us shop for you! We’ll carefully select and assemble an indulgent kit of specialty cheeses, meats and luxurious chocolates along with the three wines we’ll be tasting for the event.
- Wednesday, February 10: You pick up and pay for your wine kit at Spec’s Midtown, 2410 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006.
- Join the Zoom event on Thursday, February 11, for a fun evening of wine and food.
Register and Reserve Your Pick-Up Time
Pick-up will be on Wednesday, February 10.
The deadline to register is Monday, February 8.
For more information, call Jasmine Harrison at 713-743-7952 or email jkharris@central.uh.edu.
NSM Movie Night #4: Hidden Figures
Friday, February 19
6:15–10 pm
Tune in for a special edition of NSM Movie Night. You’ll hear from a panel including Mathematics Professor Garret Etgen, who worked at NASA during the time of Hidden Figures, and Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Elizabeth Stewart Smith and Jennifer Scott Williams, all of whom currently work for NASA in various official capacities.

Professor Garret Etgen received all of his degrees in mathematics, earning his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. While serving in the U.S. Army, he served as Assistant Chief of the Applied Mathematics Branch at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 1964-1967. In 1967, Professor Etgen joined the University of Houston’s Department of Mathematics and served as its chair from 1978-1999. He currently teaches Engineering Mathematics and Differential Equations.

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Howard University, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Florida A&M University, a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Houston. She began her career as a Flight Systems Test Engineer at NASA Kennedy Space Center. After that, she served as the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, where she provided technical and executive leadership to NASA’s planetary, earth, heliophysics, and astrophysics science missions. She has also served as the Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station, the Orion Crew Module Systems Engineering, Integration and Test Technical Manager, Lead Systems Engineer for the Constellation Program, and as the Deputy Manager for Commercial Lunar Payload Services, where she developed the foundational strategy for the commercialization of the moon. Dr. Alleyne currently serves as the Deputy Manager for Commercial LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Development Program at NASA Johnson Space Center. In this role, she is one of the leading architects of establishing new space economies through commercializing low earth orbit.

Elizabeth Stewart Smith, P.E., holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1981, she began her career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright Aeronautical Laboratory, as a research engineer in cryogenic research. She began her tenure at NASA Johnson Space Center in April 1982, in the Plant Engineering Division as an engineer intern. She is currently the NASA Lead for the International Space Station, 2-D Drawings and 3-D Computer Aided Design (CAD) Models, in the Systems Engineering and Integration Office of the International Space Station Program Office.

Jennifer Scott Williams attended Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she received dual bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering in 2001 via the Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program. After graduation, she moved to Houston to work for NASA Johnson Space Center’s Mission Operations Directorate as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in the Instrumentation and Communications Group (INCO). While there, she obtained eight certifications and supported 24 shuttle flights, three of which she served as Lead INCO. She attended the University of Houston part-time in the telecommunications program, where she graduated with her master’s degree in electrical engineering in 2005. In September 2020, she was selected as Branch Chief of the Applications Client Support Office. In this role, she manages a team of Research Portfolio Managers responsible for enabling technology demonstrations, STEM projects, commercial payloads, and external payloads for launch and operation aboard, and return from, the International Space Station (ISS). The clients her team serves include NASA organizations, such as the Science Mission Directorate, Science and Technology Mission Directorate, Advanced Exploration Systems, as well as the ISS National Laboratory.
Movie Night Schedule
6:15 pm
Live movie introduction and panel discussion
7–9:10 pm
Watch the movie on your own
9:45–10 pm
Interactive Q&A about the movie.
Accessing the Movie
Hidden Figures is free to watch with a Disney+ or Hulu subscription. You can rent the movie starting at $3.99 from a variety of sources. We've listed some popular sites below:
You’ll receive the Zoom link via email two days before the event.
If you have questions, please contact Jasmine Harrison at 713-743-7952 or jkharris@central.uh.edu.
Previous Events
NSM Movie Night #3: Jurassic Park
Movie with Live Discussion and Post-Movie Q&A by NSM’s Dr. Mariam Manuel
November 20, 2020
Video: Pre- and Post-Movie Discussion
The Complexities of Beer: How Scientists Celebrate Oktoberfest
Faculty and Alumni-Led Virtual Beer Tasting: Three Unique Beer/Cheese Pairings
October 29, 2020
Video: Beer Pairings Discussion
NSM Movie Night #2: Angels & Demons
Movie with Live Discussion and Post-Movie Q&A by NSM’s Dr. Rene Bellwied
October 23, 2020
Video: Pre- and Post-Movie Discussion
NSM Movie Night #1: The Day After Tomorrow
Movie with Live Discussion and Post-Movie Q&A by NSM’s Dr. Julia Wellner
September 18, 2020
Video: Pre- and Post-Movie Discussion
Red and White Wine Dinner
Five-Course Dinner Paired with Wines
February 10, 2020
Event Photos
Return to Downton Abbey – Movie and Brunch
Champagne Brunch and Private Viewing of “Downton Abbey: The Movie”
September 28, 2019
Red and White Wine Dinner
Six-Course Dinner Paired with Wines
February 11, 2019
Event Photos
The Jazz of Physics: The Link between Music and the Structure of the Universe
Physicist and musician Stephon Alexander revisits the interconnection between music and the evolution of astrophysics and the laws of motion.
April 19, 2018
Red and White Wine Dinner
Six-Course Dinner Paired with Wines
February 8, 2018
NSM Tailgate
Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls
September 16, 2017
Red and White Wine Dinner
Four-Course Contemporary Cuisine Paired with Wines
February 9, 2017
Event Photos
NSM Tailgate and 40th Anniversary Kick-Off Party
Houston Cougars vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Nearly 130 alumni, faculty, staff, friends and family attended the NSM 40th Anniversary Tailgate.
October 15, 2016
Event Photos
Red and White Wine Dinner
Five-Course Dinner Paired with Wines
February 11, 2016
Event Photos
Say Goodbye to “Downton Abbey”
Reception and Private Viewing of “Downton Abbey”
January 12, 2016
Event Photos
ZOO-FARI: An Evening in the Wild
Reception and Several Animal Encounters
October 10, 2015
Event Photos
An Evening at the Alley Theatre
Reception and Performance
April 12, 2015
Event Photos
Red and White Wine Dinner
Five-Course Dinner Paired with Wines
February 12, 2015
Event Photos
An Evening with “Downton Abbey”
Reception and Private Viewing of “Downton Abbey”
January 13, 2015
Event Photos
A Night at the Museum: Making Science Come Alive
Delicious Food and Seven Interactive Demonstrations
October 11, 2014
Event Photos
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
UH Cougars vs. Louisville Cardinals
April 11, 2014
Event Photos
Red and White Wine Dinner
Five-Course Dinner Paired with Wines from Around the World
February 13, 2014
Event Photos
An Evening with “Downton Abbey”
Reception and Private Viewing of “Downton Abbey”
January 12, 2014
Event Photos