From Earthquakes to Epidemics
How Disasters Transform California's People and Places
May 22 - Sept. 13, 2025

Covering over 100 million acres and more heavily populated than any other state in the country, California is prone to a wide array of natural and man-made disasters. The last century has seen historic droughts, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and pandemics. While the Golden State has experienced these disasters regularly in its past, the frequency and intensity of these events have increased due to the acceleration of climate change. From Earthquakes to Epidemics revisits some of these infamous disasters, using art, history, and science to give context to the impacts of recent and historic disasters in California.
From Earthquakes to Epidemics is brought to Museum on Main by Exhibit Envoy and was funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Epidemics: A History of Humanity's Plagues
a discussion with microbio0logist/immunologist Dr. Srilekha Deka
Saturday, August 9, 1-3 PM

Join Pleasanton physician-scientist Dr. Srilekha Deka for a fascinating journey through the history of epidemics and infectious diseases. She will explore how infectious threats shaped human history, spread across the globe, escalated into pandemics, and inspired lasting scientific advances.
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Dr. Deka earned her M.D. in 2001 and Ph.D. in Biomedical Science in 2005 and has since built a career at the intersection of infectious disease research and molecular diagnostics. With over two decades of experience, she now serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Script Molecular, where she drives innovation in diagnostic product development to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Deka’s talk is presented by Museum on Main in conjunction with the traveling exhibit From Earthquakes to Epidemics.
 

photo courtesy of Dr. Deka

Dr. Deka's presentation is free, but seating is limited. Register here to reserve your spots!