Discover Alaska lecture series starts June 5

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host the Discover Alaska lecture series starting on June 5. This year’s lectures feature scientists whose research explores various aspects of Alaska.

The series is presented by UAF Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning in cooperation with UAF’s Institute of Arctic Biology. 

The free public lectures will be at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the BP Design Theater, located on the fourth floor of the Usibelli Building on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Campus. Parking on campus is free after 5 p.m.

The presentations will also be livestreamed on the events page and made available as recordings online within two weeks of the live event.

This year’s Discover Alaska lineup includes:

• June 5 – “Overwintering in the Arctic: Animal Strategies for Surviving the ‘Long, Cold and Dark,’” Brian Barnes, professor of zoophysiology
• June 12 – “Changing Interactions Among Alaska’s Wildlife, People and Environment,” Todd Brinkman, associate professor of wildlife ecology
• June 19 – “Berries in a Changing Climate: Threats and Opportunities,” Christa Mulder, professor of plant ecology
• June 26 – “Cleaning Up Contaminants with Native Plants and Microbes,” Mary Beth Leigh, professor of microbiology
• July 10 – “Food, Nutrition and Health in Alaska,” Andrea Bersamin, professor of nutrition
• July 17 – “Measuring Methane from Alaska to Mars,” Eugénie Euskirchen, associate professor of ecology, and Mahmooda Sultana, instrument scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Planetary Environments Laboratory
• July 24 – “Herbivores and the Structure and Function of Alaska’s Boreal Forests,” Knut Kielland, professor of ecology
• July 31 – “Hibernation for Space Torpor and Remote Emergency Medicine,” Kelly Drew, professor of chemistry and biochemistry
• Aug. 7 – “Longevity and Senescence: Are Maximum Lifespans of Whales Longer Than We Believe?” Greg Breed, associate professor of quantitative ecology
• Aug. 14 – “Tools for Life: Alaska Native Solutions to End Suicide,” Stacy Rasmus, director, Center for Alaska Native Health Research

For more information, visit the Summer Sessions events page, email summer@alaska.edu or call 907-474-7021.

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