Ungar Featured in Science Nation Episode
Peter Ungar, Distinguished Professor and chairman of the anthropology department, is featured in this week's Science Nation, a science video series commissioned by the National Science Foundation Office of Legislative and Public Affairs.
The episode, If These Teeth Could Talk, looks at Ungar’s groundbreaking study of fossil teeth to learn what ancient animals and humans ate, and how their diets evolved. His research combines anthropology, biology, engineering, and dentistry. The teeth he studies and compares range from dinosaurs to modern humans. Ungar’s NSF-funded research uses technology designed to look at the surface textures of the teeth of both ancient and living species.
His work is providing direct evidence of what ancient animals and early humans actually ate, not just what they were capable of eating. Understanding what and how our ancestors ate can help us understand their diet, their behavior and even their migration.
The episode can be viewed at:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/index.jsp
The Science Nation piece is the second of three reports featuring University of Arkansas scientists. The first one, Lord of the Tree Rings, focuses on the work of David Stahle, Distinguished Professor of geosciences. Stahle examines tree rings to determine patterns of past climate, particularly rainfall patterns.
That episode can be viewed at:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/lordtreerings.jsp
The third episode will feature the work of James Hinton, University Professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who has developed a computer program that allows researchers to interact with life-size virtual proteins in three dimensions.
Contacts
Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
479-575-3583,
voorhies@uark.edu
Headlines
Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design Presents Fall 2024 Lecture Series Lineup
Through these carefully selected presenters, the Fay Jones School continues to engage with the broad scope of issues, opportunities and challenges that society and the design disciplines confront today.
Honors College to Host Pulse Discussion on the History of Campus Protests
An expert panel moderated by the Democracy Fellows RSO will discuss the history, philosophy, emergency management and legality of campus protests on Sept. 12.
Baxter Joins Animal Science As Equine Instructor, Ranch Horse & Equine Judging Coach
Amanda Baxter, who has extensive experience in 4-H horse contests and clinics, is joining the Department of Animal Science as an equine instructor and head coach of the ranch horse and equine judging teams.
Wang Appointed Associate Editor for Biophysics Reviews
Yong Wang, associate professor of physics at the University of Arkansas, has been named an associate editor of Biophysics Reviews, the journal of the American Institute of Physics.
Data Science Program to Be Led by Previous Engineering Dean While Director Search Begins
Former Dean John English will serve as director while a search for the successor to University Professor Manuel Rosetti, the Data Science Program's inaugural director, is conducted.