New Tale of Primate Evolution – Lecture at HMNS
Houston Museum of Natural Science Lecture
Times Are A-Changin’: New Methods Tell a New Tale of Primate Evolution
Todd Disotell, Ph.D., New York University
Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by The Leakey Foundation
Sponsored by KUHF 88.7 FM
Recent advances in molecular genetics are radically changing ideas about the appearance of primates and the subsequent branching off of the major lineages. Previously, it was thought primates first appeared some 65 million years ago; now experts are proposing dates as far back as 80-90 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
The hazy image of our lineage provided by the fossil record is now coming into focus thanks to new molecular analytical techniques; researchers now have whole genome sequences representing at least one member of each major lineages and whole mitochondrial lineages of nearly every genus in the order Primates. It’s an exciting moment in the story of human and primates, as these data along with new analytical techniques suggest many divergences are more recent than traditionally thought.
Dr. Todd Disotell is a professor of anthropology and a molecular primatologist at New York University’s Center for the Study of Human Origins. Disotell, who has appeared on such popular television shows as “The Daily Show” and “MonsterQuest,” will discuss the use of molecular clocks and other contemporary analytical techniques and the exciting conclusions and questions they pose.
Anthropology Students will be attending. Others interested should contact Dr. Ann Bragdon ann.bragdon@hccs.edu
http://www.hmns.org/eventDetail.asp?id=1&xml=lectures2.xml&o=/education/adults/distinguished_lectures.asp
Don’t take another bite ’till you see this.
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009.
HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE FOOD YOU BUY AT LOCAL SUPERMARKETS?
Link for study: http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php
The Public Commons & Access to Water
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009.
12:30 p.m. Film
FLOW: For Love of Water 2008
Introduction/Discussion by NWC Government Professor Donna Rhea
As suggested by W. B. Auden
“Thousands have lived without love; not one without water.”
Irena Salina’s documentary investigates the most important political and environmental situation of the 21st Century – the World Water Crisis. In this expose’ we travel to Bolivia, South Africa, India, and Michigan and in all these places, witness the the essential issues in the” water wars” - privatization, pollution and profit. The film shows people around the world who are being harmed by corporations which claim rights over their water.
An Award-Wining Film that profiles what Michael Klare calls “resource wars”. (93 minutes)
Link for study: http://www.flowthefilm.com/
