Date/Time: Thursday, October 1, 2020, 5 – 6pm EDT
Learn, unwind, and engage with Smithsonian scientists whose curiosity and perspectives are bound to help you think differently about the seen – and the unseen.
- “Microbes, Chemistry, and Coral Sex” by Jennifer Sneed
Jennifer Sneed is a marine microbial chemical ecologist working for the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce, FL who regularly finds herself swimming through a dark soup of coral eggs and sperm. How did she end up here and, more importantly, why? She’ll share her journey and the reasons everyone should be excited about the small but mighty microbes influencing the future of coral reefs. - “Discovering Biodiversity Through Desert Flies” by Torsten Dikow
When you think of deserts—with their sprawling landscapes, elusive predators, and picture- perfect plants—do you ever think of flies? Probably not, yet even insects play a part in the balance of desert environments. In his talk, Torsten Dikow will share stories of his research on assassin and mydas flies in the Namib Desert in southern Africa, including the discovery of new species that reveal the diversity of desert environments. - “A Tale of Uncharismatic Fishes” by Adela Roa-Varó
Take a dive into the world of Gadiformes, aka cods, hakes, and grenadiers. This unassuming yet abundant group of fish includes some of the most important commercially harvested fishes in the world. Adela Roa-Varo takes us into her world of morphology and DNA research to identify and help conserve the endangered species within the group.