STEM Scholars Lecture
Dr. Jim Baxter
Professor of Biological Sciences, Sacramento State
&
Dr. Jeffrey White
Professor of Biology and Director of the Redwood Science Project,
Humboldt State University
Reinventing Understanding: Connecting Californians and Environmental Change
(Click on link above for postcard and parking information)
Tuesday, April 29th
7:00 pm
University Union, Redwood Room
Sacramento State's Center for STEM Excellence will host our next STEM Scholars Public Lecture on April 29th in the Redwood Room of the University Union at 7:00 pm. The STEM Scholars Public Lecture Series is the avenue for Sac State's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) scholars to share their research with the Sacramento Community.
The evening's speakers are Dr. Jim Baxter from the Department of Biological Sciences at Sacramento State and Dr. Jeffrey White from the Department of Biological Sciences at Humboldt State. Their talk is titled "Reinventing Understanding: Connecting Californians and Environmental Change." With their combined expertise in ecology, evolution, and science education, Drs. Baxter and White will address the current state of public understanding about and attitudes toward environmental change, examine the challenges we face in communicating understanding about that change, and explore how innovative educational media can inspire us to act in new ways that lead to a sustainable future.
Speaker Bios
Dr. Jim Baxter is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program who studies the ecosystem effects of biodiversity and the role of humans in the functioning of ecological systems. He is co-founder and Director of the California Environmental Legacy Project (CELP), a statewide science education initiative. Dr. Baxter received his B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Santa Cruz, his M.A. in Ecology and Systematic Biology from San Francisco State University, and his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rutgers University. His research focuses on the functional role of mycorrhizal diversity, heavy metal anti-herbivore defense, blue oak regeneration, and the effects of changing fire regimes on forest community structure.
Dr. Jeffrey White is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Executive Director of the Redwood Science Project at Humboldt State University who specializes in biogeography and science education. He is co-founder and Co-Director of the California Environmental Legacy Project. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in biology from UC Santa Cruz, he became a credentialed teacher with California’s public schools – elementary through high school mathematics and science. As a bilingual educator, his assignments included high-need schools in Los Angeles and central California. He went on to earn his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, specializing in evolutionary biology and complexity theory. Dr. White’s primary work focuses on science education, including curriculum and media development, recruitment and retention of teachers, and the language demands of content based teaching and learning. His scientific research focuses on the biological aspects of rare plants and their conservation.
Speaker Contact Information:
Dr. Jim Baxter
office phone: 916-278-4047
email: jbaxter@csus.edu
Dr. Jeffrey White
office phone: 707-407-7771
email: jww12@humboldt.edu
California Environmental Legacy Project (CELP): www.csus.edu/celp
STEM Scholar Series Contacts:
Sharon Puricelli
Coordinator, Center for STEM Excellence
stem@csus.edu
(916) 278-2789
Dr. V. Scott Gordon
Co-Director, Center for STEM Excellence
gordonvs@ecs.csus.edu