From the Vertebrate Bowels of the Earth

Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 pm

It's a subject few people want to think about: more than 5,000 species of tapeworms live in the intestines of their vertebrate hosts. These flatworms are far from simple, and particularly fascinating are those that parasitize sharks and rays. Journey into the underbelly world of tapeworms with assistant curator Kirsten Jensen, who will introduce you to the characteristics, diversity and peculiar life history of tapeworms.

Dabbling in DNA

Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 pm

Ever wonder how many genes you share with a houseplant? How can you extract DNA using everyday household items? Join us for this adults-only, hands-on science program that introduces what DNA is, how inheritance works, why it’s useful in criminal investigations and more.

$12 general public
$10 members and KU students

Pre-registration required by Nov. 9
Call 785.864.4173 to register

The Census of Marine Life — What Lives in our Oceans and Where?

Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 pm

Oceans cover two-thirds of the globe's surface and represent the largest habitat on earth, but we have only the most general knowledge of what lives in them. Join curator Daphne Fautin for an introduction to the monumental effort to bring together 2000 scientists from more than 70 countries for the Census of Marine Life. The effort to create an inventory of ocean life will serve as a baseline for understanding an unknown part of the planet that affects the lives of all of us, whether we live in Tahiti or Lawrence.

Field Notes

Scientists at KU's Biodiversity Institute are blogging about their research from the field. Home to about 60 graduate students and 30 research scientists and curators, research takes place on all seven continents in areas such as entomology, paleontology and more.

Visit the Field Notes blog today!

The Life of the Planet

Visit our interactive video presentation showcasing current research by Biodiversity Institute scientists.

Learn more . . .

Ecological Forecasting in the Central Plains

The three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) award will link researchers at KU, Kansas State University, and Fort Hays State University in a study of changes occurring in the climate, land-use, biogeochemistry, hydrology and biodiversity along the Kansas Rvier Basin.

Learn more . . .