Fireflies with Yelena Pacheco January 20, 1pm Eastern Watch this session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016154652 Yelena Pacheco is a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia studying firefly sexual signaling evolution. She is particularly interested in firefly morphology and how structures associated with sexual signaling differ across species. Yelena enjoys sharing her research with others and has presented at Entomological Society of America meetings, as well as the International Firefly Symposium. She received a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.Sc. in Biology at Brigham Young University.
Polymer Recycling with Leslie Hamachi January 22 1pm Eastern Watch this session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84583301083 Dr. Leslie Hamachi is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She works with undergraduate and masters student researchers on nanocrystal synthesis and polymer recycling.
Harnessing Proteins and Sunlight to Make Fuels January 26, 1pm Eastern Join this session here! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83394309697 Hello! I'm a physical chemist working in enzymology, nanomaterials and solar fuels technologies. I obtained my B.S in Chemistry at the University of North Florida and did my graduate studies at Emory University under professor R. Brian Dyer studying biological-inorganic hybrid materials for solar fuels production. I am currently a postdoc at the National Renewable Energy Lab Biosciences Center, developing methods for understanding the mechanism of light-driven ammonia production by protein-nanoparticle hybrid materials. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking in the Rockies and playing guitar! You can find me on Instagram at @bryantchica
The Zombie Fungus Foray: Real life zombies and where to find them! February 5, 1pm Eastern Watch this session here! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83085777516 Welcome to the Zombie Fungus Foray, a Community Science initiative that empowers everyone to participate in real life zombie hunts! Join us in the search for Ophiocordyceps, parasitic fungi that infects many species of ants worldwide. Ophiocordyceps use bioactive compounds to manipulate the behavior of their ant hosts, Zombifying the insects and bending them to the fungus’ will! These secreted compounds have the potential to contribute to the discovery of new medicines, and it’s up to you to help us find them! Join our team at TheZombieFungusForay.com to download the iNatrualist app to Discover, Record, and Contribute!
Tiny Plastic, Huge problem: How corals are affected by microplastic pollution. February 10, 1pm Eastern Watch this session here! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86438216209
My name is Sandra Schleier, I did my BSc. at the University of Puerto Rico in Marine Biology and my Master’s at the University of Rhode Island in Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences where my thesis focused on Coral Reef Restoration. I currently work for an NGO called Scuba Dogs Society as their Program Coordinator where I run a citizen science microplastics monitoring project in Puerto Rico, where I currently live. I am also a Tour Guide with a company called Pure Adventure where I lead nocturnal kayaking excursions to one of the three Bioluminescent Bays on the island. My passions are talking about science to everyone as well as scuba diving, hiking with my dogs, and going to the beach.
Why people get depressed with Mary McMillan February 16, 8pm Eastern Watch this session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87861253294 As many as 1 in every 6 people will experience depression at some point in their lives – but despite it being so common, we still don’t fully understand what makes some people more susceptible than others. Understanding more about the biology of depression will help us create better tools for diagnosis and treatment, and this is the challenge that Dr Mary McMillan is addressing in her research. Mary is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at the University of New England, Australia, where she works with the Brain-Behaviour Research Group to better understand how variation within our DNA may make us more susceptible to depression. She is also investigating how we can use biological and genetic markers to diagnose depression, and to find the most effective treatment for each individual.
Listen Up! : Marine mammal acoustics and anthropogenic noise in the ocean with Brijonnay Madrigal March 24, 1pm Eastern Watch this session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83785016653 Brijonnay Madrigal is a PhD student in the Marine Mammal Research Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She uses a technique called passive acoustic monitoring, the use of stationary hydrophones, to understand the acoustic behavior of toothed whales. For her research, she is interested in understanding the acoustic behavior of false killer whales and short-finned pilot whales in Hawai‘i and assessing the occurrence and potential impacts of anthropogenic noise on these species within the Hawaiian archipelago. Brijonnay earned a B.S. in Marine Biology and B.A. in Communication from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She earned her M.Sc. in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories where she conducted her thesis work on killer whale calls, developed a vocal catalog of calls recorded, and identified killer whale ecotype presence in the Chukchi Sea. When Brijonnay doesn’t have a pair of headphones on listening to whales, she enjoys long runs, playing volleyball, and paddle boarding!
