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  Michael Morgan - Estrogen, sewage, and sea anemones: How hormone pollution can impact anemones

  Southern Adventist University

  Cnidarians do not have estrogen receptors. Endocrine disruption is suspected in cnidarians but no evidence has been clearly identified. This presentation will discuss how cnidarian endocrine disruption can be detected and quantified.

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  William K. Hayes - The Kiss of Death: Amazing Insights on Rattlesnake Venom

  Southern Adventist University

  Because of their toxins, rattlesnakes often inspire extreme emotions: fear and loathing, and intense fascination in others. Although many rattlesnakes are killed when encountered, they comprise an essential part of the natural environment and help to maintain balanced ecosystems. In doing so, nature's toolbox has carefully shaped their chemical weaponry to yield an extraordinary diversity of compounds that help them survive. This lecture will explore the remarkable nature of rattlesnake venom and the factors that influence its composition; the natural roles that venom serves and how the snakes actually deploy it (including fascinating videos); and the fascinating relationships between rattlesnakes and humans, including the role of venom in snakebite and in cures for human ailments.

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  Aaron Corbit - The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California

  Southern Adventist University

  In southern California, rattlesnakes often come in conflict with humans when both species find themselves occupying the same areas. These conflicts not only pose medical risks to humans, but can also cause snakes to be displaced or killed: negatively impacting populations. This lecture will cover the epidemiology of venomous snakebite in southern California and how methods used to resolve human/rattlesnake conflict can impact rattlesnake behavior and the populations to which these snakes belong.

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  Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske - Hunger in Paradise? Seasonal Variation in Food Availability to Manatees in a Flooding Wetland

  Southern Adventist University

  Understanding the feeding behavior is an essential element of effective conservation strategies. In this talk, he will explore the feeding ecology of the endangered Antillean manatees in a seasonally flooding forest, where they must deal with the boom and bust cycle of available food resources driven by water levels.

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  David Aborn - The Breeding Biology of Tree Swallows in Chattanooga

  Southern Adventist University

  Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have a very broad distribution, readily use nest boxes, and are tolerant of human activity. As such, they have been frequent subjects of studies on foraging, reproduction, migration, and toxicology. Much of what we know, however, comes from the northeast; we know very little about their biology in other parts of their range. As a results of next boxes being put up in this area, Tree Swallows have increased rapidly, from 0 pairs in 2005, to 60 pairs currently. I have been studying this population since 2014, focusing on their reproduction, and am starting to expand into other parts of their biology. I will present results of my work and compare it with what is known about Tree Swallows in other parts of their range. NOTE--first 15 minutes of presentation are not available.

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  Michael Freake - Conservation of the Hellbenders in the Tennessee Valley

  Southern Adventist University

  Eastern hellbenders are a giant salamander that relies on cool, well oxygenated rocky streams. They used to be widespread across the Tennessee, Ohio, Susquehanna and Ozark watersheds, but have since declined. We have been surveying in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest to help asses their status in the southern Appalachians. We have some healthy populations in our area, but even here hellbenders are threatened by stream disturbance and habitat fragmentation. We are now implementing a recovery action plan: translocations, captive breeding, disease monitoring, and habitat improvement.

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  Stephen Dunbar - Here's Looking at You : Using New Photo ID and Mapping Techniques in Sea Turtle Research

  Southern Adventist University

  The idea that research is fundamental to natural resource management is one that can result in conflict because both community interests and government agencies may have very different priorities: income earning and complying with laws and conventions. For both private industry and governments, supporting decisions with research findings may not be considered important. In such cases, how can conservation researchers find ways to resolve conflicts among all interests? Professor Dunbar's recent experiences proved some practical steps for bringing the parties to the table so that conservation research can move forward for the benefit of all involved.

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  David Lindsey - Listening to the Conversations of a Social Amoeba

  Southern Adventist University

  Cells communicate with each other by sending and receiving signals. To regulate group size and coordinate activities such as cell proliferation, cells use rather complex signal vocabularies to communicate. We use a social amoeba as a model to understand the nature of these conversations.

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  Ethan Carver, PhD - Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Cell Cultures, and Their Implications for Human Health

  Southern Adventist University

  E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in the past decade and are marketed as smoking cessatin aids. However, these products are not well regulated or researched. A number of toxic compounds have been discovered in the refill solutions: Nicotine and other tobacco alkaloids. This study uses tobacco alkaloids to test the effects of these chemicals on the growth of human cells in a culture system. Overall, this project illustrates the need for greater research on refill solutions, and the need for better labeling and regulation of refill solutions.

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  James Brantley - Careers in AZA-Accredited Zoos and Aquariums

  Southern Adventist University

  With over 22 years of experience, James Brantley discusses what it is like to work in the zoo industry. Zoos play a crucial role in conservation through their breeding and rehabilitation programs, and are often at the forefront of bridging the gap between urban communities and nature. Zoo careers offer exciting opportunities to engage the public, and teach the next generation the need to care for creation.

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  Jim Nestler - Sea Cucumbers: Rotting and Regenerating Zombies of the Sea

  Southern Adventist University

  The California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) is a commonly-known echinoderm on the west coast of North America with a little-known seasonal cycle. In late fall, animals stop moving and experience complete degradation of their internal organs; they become little more than apparently dead bags of skin. Several weeks later, the internal organs regenerate and animals regain their activity. Dr. Nestler will describe current molecular, physiological, and ecological research he and his students are conducting on this bizarre phenomenon, and implications their findings may have for loss and regeneration of human internal organs.

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  Jonathan Colburn - Invasive Plant Control in North Florida Natural Areas : Technical and Theoretical Issues at the Convergence of Climate Chage and Globalization

  Southern Adventist University

  Covers issues germane to controlling plan invasions in north Florida, which is of interest to those in Tennessee as North Florida is a transition zone between Tennessee and south Florida--one of the most invaded regions worldwide. What problem do invasive species pose? What is the current state of knowledge on how ecosystems respond to herbicide treatments? Here, Jonathan will outline how ecological modeling and applied techniques can be brought to bear on plant invasions.

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  Randy Beavers - Goldenseal: The Science, History, and Culture of an Endangered Species

  Southern Adventist University

  Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) has often been called "God's Gift to Mankind" due to its well known medicinal properties. However, over collection from the wild combined with habitat loss due to land development has placed the species in danger of extinction. Randy has spent the past two decades developing sustainable production techniques for the plant and is an internationally recognized authority regarding goldenseal. In this lecture he will discuss goldenseal's history, it's uses and abuses, future potential, ongoing efforts to domesticate the plant, as well as opportunities in natural products resear

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  Stephen Dunbar - A Place in the Sea: What We're Learning about Sea Turtles in Honduras

  Southern Adventist University

  Although the waters of Honduras host five of seven known species of sea turtles, there is historically a lack of research conducted on these species throughout the country. With Honduras having both Caribbean and Pacific coastal zones, a great opportunity exists to study sea turtle species. Dr. Dunbar will talk about how the Protective Turtle Ecology Center for Training, Outreach, and Research, Inc. (ProTECTOR) has hosted research, conservation, and education outreach on both coasts of Honduras over the past eight years. This brings to light new details of sea turtle biology and ecology in the region of Central America.

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  Tim Standish - Competition and Cooperation

  Southern Adventist University

  The concept of all life is in competition for survival in which only the most fit survive is central to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. This theme of struggle seems at odds with much of what is observed in nature and with Biblical themes of surrender and cooperation with God's will rather than rebellion against The Creator. While the Bible teaches creation has been marred by sin, is competition really the predominant theme of fallen creation? Or are enough echoes of the original "very god" creation left to encourage us to rethink the Darwinian view that all life is engaged in a struggle to the death?

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  David Nelsen - Costly Strategies and Development : Ontogeny and Behavioral Ecology of Venom and Silk Use in Latrodectus Hesperus

  Southern Adventist University

  Venom in spiders has fascinated humankind from ancient times. However, research has primarily focused on the physiologic activity and biochemistry of venom. Spiders are a diverse group of organisms, with over 44,900 species, most of which possess venom and silk. Less than 100 species have had their venom studied. This presentation will present new research on the venom and silk use in the Western Black Widow spider Latrodectus hesperus.

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  Hill Craddock - Chestnuts: A Tree Crop Archetype

  Southern Adventist University

  Chestnut trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for their sweet, edible nuts, and were a staple of traditional cultures in East Asia, Europe, and eastern North America. Migrating peoples carried chestnuts as far as South America, Australia, New Zealand and the West Coast of North America. Chestnut flour was once a staple of Mediterranean cooking. Chestnut trees provided timbers, wicker, fuel, tannin, and even medicinal astringents from their leaves. Along with the grapevine and the olive tree, the European chestnut is one of the great pillars upon which Mediterranean civilization was built. Chinese and Japanese chestnut trees played similar roles in China, Korea and Japan.

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  Joey Shaw - Herbaria are keystone to botanical research from field studies and building taxonomic guides to database creation, modeling, policy formation, and even the search for variable molecular markers

  Southern Adventist University

  Botanical research is dependent on herbaria specimens. Basic floristic are important for studying biogeography, plant migrations, and science education among other reasons. Tennessee has three large herbaria, but there are 12 state collections. Recent advances in specimen imaging have begun unification of all Tennessee collections into a common Tennessee Herbarium Consortium Virtual Herbarium. Dr. Shaw will speak about several lines of research from floristics to the evolutionary rates of mutation in chloroplasts and show how herbaria are foundational to science.

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  Keith Snyder - "Dig it Man” – Going Retro with Dinosaurs

  Southern Adventist University

  Be a child again! Play in the dirt. Dig up stuff nobody else has ever seen. AND do it in the name of science. You can get 4 semester credits in science during the month of June digging dinosaur bones with people from around the world. No previous experience necessary. Bouncing pronghorns, diving eagles, and flowering cactus are only a few of the exciting things waiting for you.

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  Lonnie Maize - Tales From the Trails : Life Lessons From the Birds, Bees, Bears, Flowers, and Trees

  Southern Adventist University

  A get-your-boots-muddy, butt-in-the-saddle view from one whose regular day in the office has been traversing the 800 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park backcountry. Learn from wildlife encounters ways to guide you on your personal path of life. Lonnie Maize is Trail Crew Leader and Trails Supervisor, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee, North Carolina.

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  Peter Lyons - Exploring Peptidase Diversity in Biological Systems

  Southern Adventist University

  Most of the molecular machines and structural components of a cell are proteins. The activities of these proteins are tightly regulated by modifications including proteolysis. To understand these regulatory events, we need to better understand the cellular and molecular biology of the many enzymes that perform these proteolytic modifications.

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  Southern Student Presentations 2014

  Southern Adventist University

  Southern student research presentations for 2014

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  Stephen Meyer - Darwin's Doubt

  Southern Adventist University

  When Charles Darwin finished The Origin of Species, he thought that he had explained every clue, but one. Darwin knew that his theory did not explain the "Cambrian explosion," when many animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record without apparent ancestors in earlier layers of rock. In this presentation, Dr. Stephen Meyer tells of the mystery surrounding this explosion of animal life - a mystery that has only intensified. Meyer will show that the origin of biological information - stored in DNA - as well as other mysterious features of the Cambrian event, are best explained by intelligent design, rather than purely undirected evolutionary processes.

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  William K. Hayes - Islands in crisis: Biodiversity and conservation studies of reptiles and birds in the Bahamas

  Southern Adventist University

  As a part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot, the Bahamas archipelago hosts substantial species richness. But like most archipelagos, human activities are rapidly and profoundly decimating many species and their habitats. Dr. Hayes will describe long-term studies of endangered birds and reptiles, illustrating the importance of taxonomic assessment, population estimation, habitat restoration, and local environmental education.

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  David Cowles - Oddball Anemones and Photosynthesizing Bugs

  Southern Adventist University

  David Cowles spoke at Southern Adventist University for the E.O. Grundset lecture series on February 15, 2013, He spoke on anemones and photosynthesizing bugs.