'Sixth Extinction' Topic of U of A Science Café on Feb. 20
John Willson, assistant professor of biological sciences, and Walt Manger, emeritus professor of geosciences, are the panelists for the next installment of the University of Arkansas Science Café at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Powerhouse Seafood restaurant.
The faculty members will discuss the "sixth extinction" as described by American journalist Elizabeth Kolbert in her Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. Willson and Manger represent the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
"Over the last half a billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted," Kolbert wrote in the 2014 nonfiction book. "Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us."
Science Café is sponsored in part by the U of A chapter of Sigma Xi research society, the American Chemical Society and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.
The event is open to the public, free of charge, and held in an informal restaurant setting as a time to sit, relax and chat about the topic of the night. Food and drink for purchase will be available.
Topics
Contacts
Heidi S. Wells, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
479-575-3138,
heidisw@uark.edu
Headlines
U of A Bands to Hold Three Nights of Concerts
The Symphonic Band, the Wind Symphony, the 4 O'Clock and 5 O'Clock Bands and the Wind Ensemble will perform April 21-23 at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on the U of A campus.
Honors College to Host 'Best in Show' Dog Celebration
The campus and community are invited to celebrate our furry friends with popsicles, water and dog treats from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Gearhart Courtyard.
New Parasite Affecting Canadian Partridges Named for Arkansas Poultry Scientist
A long-time colleague in Canada gave a newly found parasite the scientific name Eimeria hargisi in honor of U of A poultry science researcher Billy Hargis.
U of A School of Law Student Selected for Ms. J.D. Leadership Academy Intensive
Tristan Branstetter-Thomas, a second-year law student, was one of 30 students from across the country chosen to participate in the leadership academy at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.
Needy Honored as Distinguished Alumna of University of Pittsburgh Engineering College
College of Engineering Dean Kim Needy was among seven alumni of the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering honored in April as part of the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni.