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The Science in Our Valley Seminar Series returns on October 3 with a presentation from Washington State University Postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Giverson Mupambi and Dr. Louis Nottingham. The weekly seminars will be hosted at the Wenatchee Valley College Grove Auditorium or the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee. These events are an opportunity for educators, interested professionals, and community members to hear from regional scientists about their current research projects.

Scientists from Health Sciences, Agriculture, Environment, Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Engineering, Geology and Technology will be featured this fall, and there will be an opportunity to meet the featured scientist and ask questions following the seminar presentation.

Presenters will discuss methodology for data collection, statistical and mathematical analysis, extensions and applications of their research. The information presented can be incorporated into learning for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math applications and Career Connections. All events are free and open to the public.

“When groups like this get together, we see new collaborations, solutions, strategies and innovation. Our regional science community is doing some incredible work, and we were thrilled to see researchers at all levels regularly coming together and taking interest in one-another’s work last year. We hope to continue that practice this year,” Dr. Sue Kane, Co-Director of the Apple STEM Network.

The first seminar will be held October 3 and features Dr. Giverson Mupambi and Dr. Louis Nottingham, both of Washington State University. Dr. Mupambi’s research focuses on the stress physiology of apple trees under physical constraints and Dr. Nottingham’s research focus is Integrated Pest Management in pear orchards. The event will be held from 4-5:00 in Wenatchee Valley College’s Grove Auditorium.

Upcoming seminars include:

October 10: Professor Steve Stefanides and Natasha Piestrup of Wenatchee Valley College will present research observations on DNA repair in Chlamydomondas. The event will be held from 4-5:00 at the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC).

October 17: WSU Graduate Students James Hepler, Stefan Roeder, Michelle Reid, and Nadia Antonella Valverde will discuss their current research inquiries in tree fruit agriculture from 4-5:00 in the WVC Grove Auditorium.

October 24: Dr. Tobin Northfield of WSU will present his findings on Entomology and Sustainable Pest Management, Biocontrol and Integrated Pest Management at WSU TFREC

November 7: Dr. John Roll, Professor, Vice Dean for Research, and Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Research at WSU will present current health science research about the opioid epidemic from 4-5:00 at  WSU TFREC.

November 14: Dr. Juan VillaRomero of University of California, Berkley and the EPA will present research on Environment and Soil Science from 4-5:00 in WVC’s Grove Auditorium

November 28: Dr. Loren Honaas of the USDA will give a presentation on Molecular Biology from 4-5:00 in WVC’s Grove Auditorium

December 5: Dr. Nick Rohrbach of GeoEngineers will present on Drilling on a superfund site and direct sensing technology from 4-5:00 at the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center

The Science In Our Valley Seminar Series is being hosted through a collaborative partnership between the Apple STEM Network, the United States Department of Agriculture Research Station, the North Central Educational Service District, Wenatchee Valley College, the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, and is foundational to the BRIDGE Research and Innovation District.

The Science in Our Valley Seminar series is free to attend and open to the public. The content is intended for a ‘science-based’ audience including researchers, postdoctoral scientists, graduate students, undergraduate scientists, K-12 educators and science enthusiasts.

The Apple STEM Network is a three-dimensional alliance of K-12, Higher Ed and community partners. We represent a diverse region with tremendous potential for STEM industry in agriculture, energies and innovation. With our collective effort we intend to: provide a constructive support system for educators who aim to meet the rising challenge for all students to develop 21st century skills and STEM literacy, to integrate community mentorship, promote authentic project-based learning and field experiences for all levels of education, and engage students in exploring the world of opportunities on the horizon through STEM.

The North Central Educational Service District is a resource to the 29 districts within the four-county service area, providing professional and timely tools to meet the needs of individual schools and districts, and a reliable point of education-related information for the communities served. The NCESD is a respected resource to other ESDs throughout Washington State.

 

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