About
Uncontrolled Variables is a monthly science-comedy show where we hear about cutting-edge research from both scientists and comedians. Each month we feature a different scientific theme like space, bugs, or viruses. Check out our upcoming shows or buy tickets!
People
Alex Berr, Ph.D.
Alex Berr is a comedian based in Brooklyn. While earning her PhD in Biomedical Engineering in Chicago, she started performing comedy and founded the sell-out science-comedy show, Uncontrolled Variables. Her solo show, How to Kill a Mouse, debuted at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Alex recently moved back to the US from London, where she was nominated for the 2023 Funny Women Award and the 2024 BBC New Comedy Awards.
Diya Basrai
Diya Basrai is a standup comedian and scientist based in Chicago by way of San Diego. He has performed at comedy festivals such as Red Clay and Seattle International Comedy Competition, and is a headline contributor for The Onion. When he’s not doing comedy, Diya works as a researcher at Northwestern, where he is a PhD student in neuroscience. In his free time, he enjoys chess and rock climbing.
Dr. Gregory J. Matthews, Ph.D
Gregory J. Matthews is a professor of statistics and the director of the Center for Data Science and Consulting at Loyola University Chicago. He is a co-producer of the science-comedy show Uncontrolled Variables, and was recently named one of Chicago’s top ten comedy statisticians. He has performed improv with The Emeralds since 2016.