Spring 2009: Biology Dept. offers free public seminar

Today, Feb. 13, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Social Sciences Building (SSB), Room 118

The Biology Dept. is pleased to have as a speaker our own Stewart Grant who will present "The Big Freeze and the Evolution of Cod Populations in the North Pacific Ocean" today, Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 118 of the Social Sciences Building (SSB).

Grant will discuss how population geneticists consider two kinds of processes to explain patterns of genetic differences among populations. One group includes physical and biological features that influence distributions and abundances, and hence genetic diversity, on contemporary time scales. A second kind of process includes historical events dating several thousands of years in the past.

The rim of the North Pacific has periodically experienced glaciations and major ocean-climate shifts in the last 2.6 million years. Marine species are expected to bear genetic imprints of these events. This seminar will explore the use of microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers and Bayesian analysis to understand the ice age demographics of walleye pollock and Pacific cod.

Parking is complimentary on UAA's campus on Fridays. The Social Sciences Building is located north of Providence Hospital between UAA's Parking Garage and the UAA/APU Consortium Library. No-host refreshments provided. Contributions are greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Winfree at aneaw@uaa.alaska.edu <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> or (907) 786-4780. The schedule of upcoming Biology Dept. seminars is available on their Web site.