Confluence
...where life and science meet
Confluence is a series of interviews with biological scientists about their lives, inspiration and view of the world through their work.
Like many universities, a large percentage of the biology majors at Florida International University are pre–medical students. As a department we are committed to training them to the heights of their abilities.
In our biology department however we have identified a need for undergraduates to be exposed to sub–disciplines in biology which they may not have seen during their K–12 years.
Confluence is a seminar series whose explicit aim is to introduce undergraduates to the lives and work of researchers in the field of biology. We aim not only to introduce students to the latest scientific questions being addressed in the field, but more importantly to talk about when, in the lives of these great men and women, did they decide to pursue the troubling questions of how this world works.
The seminar speakers talk of their work, what inspired them to pursue this work, and how they view a better mankind because of the questions they are trying to answer. Our guests give an hour–long seminar discussing their research to a largely undergraduate audience. Afterward, they give an interview where they talk more deeply on their life and their work. The QBIC program is proud to present these interviews for your viewing pleasure.
Creator
Bryan M. Dewsbury - PhD candidate in Biology in the Seagrass
Ecosystems Research Lab (PI: Dr. James W. Fourqurean). Bryan is
the Head TA for the QBIC program and hopes to embark on an academic
career that focuses on teaching and research through undergraduate
student development. Bryan-s dissertation looks at the ecology of
primary producer community structure, and the possible use of this
model to valuate ecosystems in new ways.
Interviewer
Adam Rosenblatt - PhD candidate in Biology in the Marine Community Ecology and Behavioral Ecology Lab (PI: Mike Heithaus). Adam teaches Journal Club to the QBIC freshmen, a class where students are introduced to reading and understanding scientific literature. Adam-s dissertation looks at the keystone effects of the American Alligator on the Everglades ecosystem.
Interviewer
Marcy K. Lowenstein PhD RD LDN– Marcy is a lecturer in Biology and teaches QBIC General Biology lecture and Developmental Biology. Marcy received her PhD in Biology in the lab of Dr. Lidia Kos at FIU. Marcy-s research focused on the genetic interaction of 3 genes crucial in early embryonic development of neural crest cells and resultant neurocristopathies when development is aberrant.
Director
Elmo Lugo - Elmo is the Producer and Editor of the video program and currently works as a Video Producer Coordinator University Technology Services center at FIU. Elmo has a lot of experience in both broadcast and print media, more recently working as an Advisor for Program 4 in the Latin Music, USA documentary series produced by WGBH and the BBC in 2009; vast experience as a radio broadcaster, including SiriusXM; and even as a music reporter for El Nuevo Herald in Miami.
Graphics Editor
Hanna Hussein - Hanna is a QBIC Scholar (Class of 2014). Hanna is a photographer and graphics designer. She is the owner of H2P Photography. Hanna is a Biology major (premed) who plans on becoming an oncologist one day.
Soundtrack
Javier Ballester (left) and Gregory -Aaron- Barreto (right) - Javier is a QBIC Scholar (Class of 2014) and Gregory is a student in the FIU Frost School of Music. Javier is a Biology major who plans on pursuing a career as a pediatrician specializing in the GI tract. Gregory is a singer/songwriter that writes and performs regularly in several bands, most often as the lead guitarist. He is currently attending FIU as a Music Major and lives to move people through the music he helps create. Currently, you can find him performing in the Miami scene in his two bands Homebody and OTOO. Check him out at www.facebook.com/GregoryAaronMusic
Episode I
Adam Rosenblatt with Dr. Tyrone Hayes
Dr. Tyrone Hayes is a Professor of Biology in the Department of Integrative Biology at University of California Berkeley. Dr. Hayes- work focuses on the role of environmental factors on the growth and development of amphibians.
Episode II
Adam Rosenblatt with Dr. Mike Heithaus
Dr. Heithaus is the Director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society at Florida International University. His research looks at the ecosystem effects of charismatic megafauna in Shark Bay, Australia and Everglades National Park, Florida.
Episode III
Adam Rosenblatt with Dr. Shaun Brothers
Dr. Shaun Brothers is a research scientist at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the University of Miami. Dr. Brothers' research focuses G Protein neuropharmacology to better understand addictions such as alcoholism and autism.