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Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of how scents influence our lives and societies. Register now to secure your spot on this journey through the world of olfaction!
Join us for an exciting virtual event on 12th September, co-hosted by the BSP and the BSF, as part of our celebration of World Taste and Smell Day. Dive into the profound impact of scents on our culture and emotions through expert insights from our guests, Melina Napolitano and Dr. Rachel Herz.
Melina Napolitano
Talk title: "The Social and Cultural Vindication of Smell".
Explore the olfactory trends that shape our experiences and perceptions. Melina Napolitano will guide us through the magical and secret ingredients of Latin America, revealing how smell plays a pivotal role in cultural identity and social interaction.
Melina Napolitano is a renowned expert in perfumery and olfactory communication, with a unique focus on the emotive power of scents. With a degree in Communication and specialised training in Perfumery under Rosendo Matteu, Melina has dedicated her career to the study and advocacy of olfactory experiences. She is the visionary founder of Smell'me, an innovative project aimed at enhancing olfactory awareness through creative and experiential workshops. Her initiatives strive to foster a sensory-emotional connection among individuals through the nuanced power of scents that enrich our daily lives. Driven by a profound passion for nature and its myriad colors, Melina's work is deeply influenced by her surroundings. Her name, meaning 'the one that brings to memory the sweetness of honey' predestined her to explore the pathways of smells and senses. After spending five years immersed in Spain's vibrant culture, she now resides in the lush landscapes of Patagonia, where she studies native botany and explores the rich olfactory possibilities it offers. A communicator at heart, Melina is also known for her creative spirit and gratitude for life’s gifts. She is an advocate for the enrichment of sensory experiences and actively participates in outreach and education about the importance of olfaction.
Dr. Rachel Herz
Talk title: "The Special Role of Scent in Emotional Perception, Cognition, and Food Consumption".
Delve into the intriguing world of scent with Dr. Rachel Herz as she explores the privileged connection between scent, emotion, and memory. Discover the unique neural interactions through which scent influences cognition, physiology, and performance, and uncover the scientific basis behind the real effects of “aromatherapy.” The final part of her presentation will examine how scent can drive eating behaviour, including some of the paradoxical effects on food choice and consumption that scent exposure can induce.
Rachel Herz, PhD, is a neuroscientist and world leading expert on the psychological science of smell. She has been actively conducting research on the senses, emotion, perception, motivated behaviour and cognition since 1990. Dr. Herz has been a TEDx speaker, has published over 100 original research articles, and received numerous awards and grants. She is on the faculty at Brown University, a professional consultant to various aromachemical industries, and is frequently called upon as an expert witness in legal cases involving the sense of smell. Dr. Herz is also actively involved in outreach, advocacy, and education on smell, taste and flavor, and is a founding advisory board member of Fifth Sense, The Smell and Taste Association of North America, The World Taste and Smell Association, and the Chief Scientific Advisor for OVR Technology. She is also an executive officer of the International Society of Neurogastronomy and the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. Rachel Herz is the author of a number of academic and popular science books: the leading college textbook on Sensation & Perception (Oxford University Press, 2024); The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell (Harper Collins, 2008), That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion (W.W. Norton & Co, 2012), and Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food (W.W. Norton & Co, 2018).
Each session will include a 45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A period, allowing you to engage directly with the speakers and delve deeper into the topics.