Sigma Xi/UNM Lecture Schedule

Lecture Schedule

University of New Mexico Chapter

Distinguished Public Talks: 2009-2010

All talks will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the UNM Conference Center, 1634 University Blvd. NE. FREE parking is available in the attached (well lit) parking lot. Refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. For more information contact Professor Harjit S. Ahluwalia, Dept of Physics & Astronomy; Phone: 277-2941, Fax: 277-1520; E-mail: hsa@unm.edu.

Fall 2009

	High Altitude Adaptation in Andean Birds by Christopher C. Witt, University of New Mexico. Thursday, 15 October 2009, 5 p.m. Abstract The Andes mountains contain the highest diversity of birds on the planet by almost any measure. Underlying this diversity are numerous lineages of lowland birds that have independently colonized high altitude habits since the late Miocene. High altitude imposes physiological challenges such as low oxygen availability and low temperature that can lead to adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Whereas human populations have independently colonized high altitudes in three separate instances over tens of thousands of years, dozens of Andean birds lineages have independently colonized extreme high altitudes over millions of years. Comparing patterns of physiological change in bird and human lineages sheds light on the fundamental nature of adaptation.
	Topic and Speaker TBA: Thursday, 12 November 2009, 5 p.m.
	Topic and Speaker TBA: Thursday, 12 November 2009, 5 p.m. *Spring 2010*
	Topic and Speaker TBA: Thursday, 11 February 2010, 5 p.m.
	Topic and Speaker TBA: Thursday, 11 March 2010, 5 p.m.
	Topic and Speaker TBA: Thursday, 8 April 2010, 5 p.m. ............................................. Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2008-2009 Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2007-2008 Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2006-2007 Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2005-2006