< BIG IDEAS
BIG IDEAS: The Minds of Insects
Join us for an evening of conversation and discovery with Lars Chittka, Ph.D., Professor of Sensory & Behavioral Ecology at Queen Mary University of London, and author of The Mind of a Bee and David Stern, Ph.D., a developmental and evolutionary biologist and Stowers Institute & Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.
Apr 152026
Stowers Institute
This BIG IDEAS event will explore two approaches to one big question: How do small creatures do such big things?
Insects run the world in quiet, astonishing ways. They pollinate our crops, shape ecosystems, and drive evolutionary innovation. Yet their inner lives and hidden biological mechanisms are still full of surprises.
BIG IDEAS: The Minds of Insects will bring together two scientists who are both helping us learn more about the world around us, bringing the lab into nature.
- Lars Chittka, Ph.D., explores the mind of insects—how bees perceive, learn, communicate, and solve problems with tiny brains.
- David Stern, Ph.D., explores the mechanisms that power insect success—how genetic and molecular changes shape behavior and form, and how insects can even manipulate plant development.
Together, they’ll reveal what insect intelligence and biology can teach us about nature, evolution, and practical challenges like pollinator conservation and future pest control.
Our featured speakers will join a moderator on stage for a fireside chat and audience Q&A following their talks.
Save the date: April 15, 2026
Registration will open soon! Space is limited. Reception to follow.
Speakers
Learn more about the research
About Lars Chittka, Ph.D.
Lars Chittka, Ph.D., is a German zoologist, ethologist, and ecologist known for pioneering research on bee cognition and the evolution of sensory systems, using insect–flower interactions as a model. He is a Professor at Queen Mary University of London and has led major efforts linking behavior, neuroscience, and ecology to better understand animal intelligence.
About David Stern, Ph.D.
David Stern, Ph.D., is a developmental and evolutionary biologist whose research asks how changes in the genome shape the evolution of morphology and behavior—from fruit fly traits like hair patterns and courtship to the molecular tools insects use to interact with plants. His lab helped discover a new family of aphid proteins (“bicycle proteins”) that appear essential for aphid survival and may point toward new, targeted approaches to pest control.
BIG IDEAS
Exploring the intersection of science and community
BIG IDEAS is a scientific lecture series from the Stowers Institute that explores how science informs and inspires our communities. It aims to bring cutting-edge and provocative scientific ideas in an engaging and accessible way to the greater Kansas City community. The series is designed to inspire a thirst for scientific knowledge and illustrate the roles that scientific discoveries play in our lives and communities. This premier public lecture series is held twice per year.
BIG IDEAS: Reflections of a Plant Intelligence Maverick took place in March 2025, inviting Paco Calvo, Ph.D., and "Kate the Chemist" to the Institute. To stay in the loop about future BIG IDEAS events, join our mailing list using the button below. We look forward to seeing you at the Institute!
The Mind of a Bee
About the book
In The Mind of a Bee, Lars Chittka explores the remarkable inner lives of bees—not just as a collective, but as individuals with powerful learning and memory. The book highlights evidence that bees can recognize patterns (even faces), count, use simple tools, and solve novel problems, raising big questions about cognition in miniature brains—and the ethical choices that come with what we’re learning. Copies of the book will be provided to attendees of the BIG IDEAS event.
Our newest Investigator
Why plants?
Stern and his lab pioneered research behind the battle between plants and the insects that feed on them. The lab discovered a new family of proteins called “bicycle proteins" that trick plants into growing protective homes, or galls, for aphids.
In addition to its agricultural promise, Stern’s work provides a window into evolution itself. The proteins his lab discovered have no known relatives. “This gives us a rare opportunity to study how proteins manipulate genomes and potentially uncover new principles that extend far beyond insect–plant interactions,” said Stern.
Event Venue
Stowers Institute
Our 10-acre campus is situated in the heart of Kansas City. Located next to the University of Missouri-Kansas City and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, our members are part of an academic neighborhood. You can immerse yourself in the arts, visit landmarks such as the Linda Hall Scientific Research Library, and find inspiration to fuel creative thinking.
At the Stowers Institute you are also within walking distance to Loose Park, the Trolley Trail, the Brookside Neighborhood, and the Country Club Plaza. You have convenient access to some of the best coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping the city has to offer.
Stowers Institute
Campus map
Learn more about the Stowers Institute
Why foundational research? Exploring the fundamental processes of biology is essential in our quest to understand the secrets of life. Research at the Stowers Institute is rooted in the audacious vision of our founders, Jim and Virginia Stowers, and their unwavering commitment to helping people live healthier lives. Today, their vision has become a remarkable reality.
25 Years of Discovery