The Great Lakes Center hosts many different events annually, including a Seminar Series and an Open House every spring.
Seminar: Bruce Conn
April 22, 2011
Join us for a seminar with Bruce Conn on the topic "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Planet: Parasites and Invasive Species on the Move," on Friday, April 22, 2011, from 12:15-1:30pm in Science 220. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome; light refreshment will be served.
"For any species, two of the abilities most critical for survival are the capacities for dispersal to and colonization of new environments. Together, these allow exploitation of new resources and diversification of the gene pool. To accomplish both of these, many species gain an advantage by hitchhiking on other species. In most cases, the hitchhiker gains access to the body of its transport species, frequently taking resources from this host in the process. In the case of human carriers, the dispersing colonist may gain access to technological mechanisms such as ships or airplanes. Depending on the dispersing species involved, this may result in environmentally damaging biological invasions, the emergence of new diseases, or the expansion of disease epidemics. In both cases, the colonist benefits at the expense of the environmental health of the newly invaded location. This seminar will explore research on some of these hitchhikers, their ingenious strategies for catching a ride, and the environmental consequences of their success." (flier) (PDF)
Great Lakes Center Open House
Look for this event at the end of April!
