What: This event is sponsored by Boulder County Audobon Society! Relationships between microbial organisms and animals span the gamut from beneficial symbioses to harmful pathogens. At the McKenzie Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Valerie McKenzie and her research assistants study the full range of these relationships. In this talk, Valerie will discuss the reasons why they are seeing more harmful emerging pathogens that are affecting wildlife in modern times. She will zoom in on a fungal pathogen that is causing amphibian declines at a global scale, including amphibians in Colorado. Her lab is studying the skin microbiome of Colorado boreal toads and they have discovered that some of the naturally occurring bacteria that live on toads can protect them from the fungal pathogen. Valerie will share some of her lab’s experimental approaches to developing probiotic treatments for conservation of this locally endangered species. She will also share a new project using microbes as a novel intervention in the fight against wildlife trafficking. Overall, there many intersections between microbiology and wildlife conservation that are fascinating and offer novel solutions to conservation challenges.

• Details:

• This event is free and open to the public.

• Doors open at 7pm and the program begins at 7:15pm.

• Virtual option available as well! Learn more here.

• When: Tuesday, October 28; 7:15-8:45pm.

• Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder or virtual via Zoom.