Water and its scarcity, along with a variety of other graduate student research projects, will be the focus of the Biology Department's 11th annual Research Day.
The event, which is today in Castetter Hall and is open to the public, will feature oral and poster presentations of project research results ranging from ecosystems to the genetic makeup of organisms.
The keynote address, "Dividing the Waters: Strategies for a Water-Scarce Era," will be delivered by global freshwater issues specialist Sandra Postel at the UNM Continuing Education Building at 7 p.m. A panel discussion led by local water issue specialists will follow.
UNM students and several other New Mexico colleges will contribute original research for the event.
"It's a way for students to showcase what they've been doing in the labs and in the field," said Brian Wolf, a biology professor and chairman of the event. "It's gives them a chance to present their research and talk about it, and a way for faculty and the community to know what's going in biology."
Wolf said the water issue theme and talks are aimed at bringing the community into the event. He added that Postel, the Global Water Policy Project director, will offer a global perspective on water issues, while the panel will tie the discussion with water scarcity issues in New Mexico's delicate desert ecosystem.
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"Throughout the Southwest it's a scarce commodity," he said. "We're making decisions about what we're doing with it every day. There are issues with surrounding states that date back 100 years about who gets the water in the river. Economics, conservation, biology and demographics in this area are important issues that relate to water and may limit population growth and the health of the environment and state."
The panel will include Cliff Crawford, a UNM biology professor emeritus, Marilyn O'Leary, UNM Law School Utton Transboundary Resources Center director; Tom Turner, a UNM biology assistant professor; and hydrologist John Shomaker.
Research topics for 30 projects expected to be presented will include riparian - or water-influenced - ecosystems, community ecosystems, membrane function and the study of the human genome, among other topics.
Wolf said the projects are completed for a variety of reasons, such as part of a senior thesis or to meet entrance requirements for medical school, and many undergraduate students participate to gain experience.
"It's about interpreting data and presenting it," Wolf said. "Students can learn about the whole scientific process, and it's a good mentoring opportunity."
Student posters for research day will be displayed in Castetter hall in the first and second floor hallways from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oral research paper presentations will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held in three sessions in Castetter Hall Room 100. The first session will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., the second from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and the third runs from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
