Keynote speakers will include Dr. Sabrina Beckmann from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University and Dr. Jacob Goheen from the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming.
Dr. Beckmann
Dr. Beckmann’s environmental microbiology team investigates the impact of microbes and microbial interactions on biogeochemical processes with a focus on the methane cycle (methane formation and oxidation). Her research has examined the importance of microbial communities in a variety of settings ranging from agricultural soil and waste, oil, cave, marine and freshwater systems.
Dr. Beckmann will deliver the keynote address on “Taming uncultured deep-sea microbes for the anaerobic oxidation of methane” immediately following the banquet on Friday evening at 7:00 in the Sterling College West Cafeteria.
Dr. Jake Goheen
Dr. Jake Goheen is an animal ecologist with broad research interests in community dynamics and structure, animal-plant interactions, and conservation biology. He has a long-standing professional and personal interest in the ecology, conservation, and natural history of mammals.
He was the recipient of the University of Wyoming Faculty Award for Internationalization for his ecological research initiatives in Africa that have fostered the promotion of global awareness and international collaboration.
His keynote presentation titled “A Game of Thorns: Megaherbivores and Mutualists in an African Savanna” will take place Saturday at 1:00 p.m. following the luncheon in the Sterling College West Cafeteria.