Heading South in the company of Leading Scientists

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and on the southeastern end of St. Johns County in St. Augustine, you will find the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, which conducts cutting-edge scientific research in a picturesque location that also serves as an ideal site to carry out such research. One of Whitney Laboratory’s many goals is to contribute to lifelong learning, so it established its Evenings at Whitney public lecture series 18 years ago. The lectures feature recognized experts in their fields who talk about current and fascinating science topics.

Evenings at Whitney returns in the fall of 2018 with lectures each month from September through December. All lectures take place on the Whitney Laboratory campus in the Lohman Auditorium, located at 9505 Oceanshore Blvd. in St. Augustine. The lectures begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

Save the dates for the fall Evenings at Whitney lecture series.

On Sept. 13, 2018, Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, will share a talk titled “Sharks and Rays on the Brink - Half a Billion Years of Innovation Under Threat.” He will talk about the diversity of sharks and rays and highlight the many traits that make them unique.

On Oct. 11, 2018, Christine Schnitzler, assistant professor of biology at Whitney Laboratory, will share a talk titled “Many Ways to Regenerate: Cell Fate Plasticity and Migratory Stem Cells in Marine Hydroids.” She will talk about how marine hydroids, such as the invertebrate Hydractinia that can be found on the back of hermit crab shells, display amazing properties of regeneration.

On Nov. 15, 2018, The Whitney Lecture, an annual event that shares significant research and contributions to science, will be presented as part of the Evenings at Whitney lecture series. Past speakers of The Whitney Lecture have included Nobel Prize-winning researchers, artists and conservationists. This year’s speaker is Sean Carroll, vice president for science education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is an award-winning scientist, author, educator and film producer. Carroll will talk about the development and evolution of animals.

On Dec. 13, 2018, Ruth Francis-Floyd, director of the Aquatic Animal Health Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, will be the guest speaker for the final talk in the fall Evenings at Whitney lecture series. Her talk title and topic is to be determined.

By attending the Evenings at Whitney lectures, you will not only learn about the latest captivating discoveries in scientific research, but you will also be able to enjoy the scenic views of the area’s waterways and beaches while taking a short trip off the beaten path to explore all that Whitney Laboratory has to offer. For more information, visit www.whitney.ufl.edu or call 904-461-4000.