Science Cafe Orlando

If we want to devise strategies to slow human-induced destruction of ecosystems and their resident organisms, we must first document these ecosystems’ “biodiversity”—the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems. Then, using evolutionary principles, we can investigate patterns and processes related to the formation of that biodiversity. Dr. Parkinson will discuss how one documents, describes, and names species; how genetics is used in biodiversity research; and how we can make management plans to facilitate conservation efforts.

Dr. Christopher L. Parkinson graduated with his undergraduate degrees in botany and wildlife biology from Ohio University, and then went on to complete his doctorate at the University of Louisville in Molecular Systematics. He spent twenty years studying the evolution, biogeography, and systematics of snakes, plants and small mammals. He conducted post doctoral work at Indiana University and at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh Pa. Dr. Parkinson has published over 35 articles in the areas of conservation genetics, taxonomy, and systematics. He has carried out field research in 15 different countries, mainly in Central and South America. Dr. Parkinson has been awarded over 3 million dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Geographic, USFWS, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, and several other agencies. He is one of the leading experts in the evolution of New World venomous snakes and the conservation genetics of endangered species.