Snow Algae and Climate Change
Speaker:  Lynne Quarmby

This slide show and talk will explore the cell biology and natural history of snow algae while taking us on journeys to Svalbard and into our local mountains. Images of spectacular scenery and microscopic views of the algae will accompany Lynne’s stories of scientific discovery and artistic collaborations. We’ll hear how Lynne responds to the realities of climate change with grief and with hope.
Lynne Quarmby is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University where she teaches and runs a research lab. Lynne has published over 50 scientific papers and received awards for both teaching and research. In 2015, she was recognized with the Sterling Prize for Controversy for her “work in sustainable energy and materials policy.” Responding to a growing political disregard of science, particularly climate science, Lynne’s engagement has ranged from civil disobedience to traditional politics, going so far as to run for a seat in Parliament in the 2015 Federal election. Lynne has initiated a new research project to study snow algae, a community of microorganisms that form one of many positive feedback loops for global warming.