VERO BEACH — Please join us on April 25 at 12 p.m. in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts for our final speaker, Dr. Niclas Engene, in the 2012-2013 Visiting Scientist Series.
Cyanobacteria are the most ancient group of plant-like organisms alive. Their algal blooms can be hazardous to sea grass beds, coral reefs, and human health.
Marine cyanobacteria are common to the coast of Florida and the Indian River Lagoon, and many of their novel compounds are also promising for medicinal use, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-infective applications.
Dr. Engene and the Smithsonian Marine Station are improving our understanding of these toxic algal blooms and how they relate to drug discovery efforts. Come hear Dr. Engene address how cyanobacteria negatively impact the Indian River Lagoon and how algal bloom research is important for directing drug discovery efforts.
Niclas Engene graduated from the University of California at San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography where he received a PhD in Oceanography. As a Smithsonian Marine Science Network (MSN) postdoctoral fellow at SMS, Niclas studies the biodiversity and chemical diversity of marine cyanobacteria.
This event is free and open to the public.
