Roian Egnor (class of '90)
HHMI - Janelia Farm Research Campus
Title: Vocalizations of Mice and Monkeys
Abstract: Vocalizations are highly salient, and easily recorded, elicited, and modified in a laboratory setting. Vocal behavior is the product of a complex interaction between the neural circuits that underlie auditory perception and those that underlie vocal production. In addition, vocal signals are often elicited by, or modulated by, social context. Vocal signals represent a privileged acoustic stimulus, one the nervous system is optimized to process. I will discuss the vocalizations of two species: cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and house mice (Mus musculus).
Joanne M. Willey
Biology Department
Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Title: When is an antibiotic not an antibiotic? The biosynthesis and regulation of a bacterial morphogenetic peptide.
April 16, 2010
Douglas C. Miller
Associate Professor of Oceanography
University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment
Tent. Title: Deposit and Suspension Feeding Behavior in Selected Marine Invertebrates of Delaware Bay
Peter Smallwood
Associate Professor of Biology
University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
Title: Conservation in a Country in Conflict: Afghanistan
Abstract: Afghanistan lies at the juncture between Paleoarctic, IndoMalayan, and African biotic realms, and therefore has a rich biodiversity. For example, there are at least 9 species of cat extant in Afghanistan now, with two others only recently extirpated from the country. It is home to such iconic species as snow leopards (Uncia uncia), Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii), and Markor goat (Capra falconeri). From deserts to mixed deciduous forests to high alpine grasslands, there are wildlands and wildlife worthy of conservation. From January of 2008 till July of 2009, I directed a conservation project in Afghanistan. The project involves work with local communities in three regions of Afghanistan, and with the central government to help them develop the legal framework and policies for protected areas, protected species, and conservation. There was very little in the way of a legal framework for conservation in Afghanistan when we began, very little expertise in conservation in the Afghan government or academia, and almost no data on wildlife and wildlands since the mid 1970’s. Security deteriorated during the project, and seems likely to decline further for at least several months. Despite these challenges, we made significant progress. Here, I report on accomplishments to date, plans for continued work, and the challenges of doing biodiversity conservation within a country in conflict.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Peter Petraitis
Professor of Biology
University of Pennsylvania
Title: Dramatic shifts in shell size of dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus) in Maine over the last century
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