We hope everyone had a fantastic summer! Please save the date to come and hear these awesome speakers!

• September 11: Rachel Wright (corals)
• October 9: Catalina Gempeler (microbiome)
• November 13: Mariska Brady (diatom genetics)
• December 11:  TBD

Are some corals better than others?

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Coral reefs are important ecosystems that are currently experiencing massive global declines due to a variety of factors.  The Matz lab at UT Austin looks for certain corals that may be more resistant to harmful environmental changes in hopes of securing a better future for our reefs. Come and learn about these beautiful ocean creatures!

Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. Events start at 7:30pm outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. Arrive early for refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages! Guided tours of the field lab start at 7pm (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!

Brazil’s Tropical Savannah

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When you think about the tropics, do you just imagine rainforests and beautiful beaches? When you think about savannas, do you picture a habitat with few species and assume it to be in Africa? Come and explore the Cerrado ecosystem, the most diverse savanna in the world located in the heart of South America. I will introduce you to some of the unique organisms inhabiting the Cerrado’s beautiful landscape, and discuss the ecological and evolutionary factors that contributed to this great biodiversity that is currently under threat due to habitat loss.

Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. Events start at 7:30pm outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. Arrive early for refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages! Guided tours of the field lab start at 7pm (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!

Bird conservation in Northeast India: What I do, and why I do it

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One of the last great unexplored regions of the world, Northeast India is also the most biodiverse place in the Eastern hemisphere. I will talk about the amazing birdlife found there, the efforts being made to save it, and why those efforts (and conservation in general) are important in the first place.

Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. Events start at 7:30pm outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. Arrive early for refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages! Guided tours of the field lab start at 7pm (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!