Events

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Planetary Habitability Series: Valerie De Anda, UT Austin

September, 25 2023

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: PMA 15.216B

SpeakerValerie De Anda, Provost’s Early Career Fellow and a Research Associate, Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin

Host: Brett Baker

Title: From Eukaryogenesis to Membrane Origins: using microbial metabolism as fossil record of early life

Abstract: The origin of eukaryotes (eukaryogenesis) and the lipid composition of cellular membranes (lipid divide) have represented the most contentious problems in biology for decades. Recent findings, such as the discovery of Asgard archaea, have provided new clues on the emergence of complex life. Asgard archaea are now considered the closest prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, yet little is known about the Asgard ancestor involved in the eukaryogenesis event (some 2 Gya). By using microbial metabolism as a fossil record of early life, we inferred the metabolic capabilities of the Asgard ancestor that gave rise to eukaryotes, including humans. Furthermore, we unravel another intriguing puzzle: the “lipid divide” which centers on the distinct lipid membrane compositions that separate bacteria and eukaryotes from archaea and how modern eukaryotes acquired their unique membrane-lipid composition. Drawing from the geological record we searched for genes that could explain the presence of steranes (fossilized lipids that are derived from sterols, a class of lipids produced by all major groups of eukaryotes). Until now, no archaea has been found to produce sterols in their membranes. By bridging different disciplines we identified for the first time sterol-like biosynthesis genes in Asgard archaea and verified their functionality through in vitro protein expression and lipid analyses. This is the first evidence of an experimentally diterpenoid cyclase in any archaea and the first to be described in Asgard representatives, providing new insights into the origin of membranes in complex life. Join us for a journey that transcends disciplinary boundaries and provides key insights into the prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition and the emergence of complex life on Earth.

Biography: Valerie De Anda is a 2023 Provost’s Early Career Fellow and a Research Associate in the Baker Marine Microbial Ecology laboratory at UT Austin. She uses microbial metabolism to understand the past, present, and future outcomes of life on Earth. Her research focuses on unraveling the chemical and metabolic principles of life across ecological and evolutionary scales to develop an understanding of microbial properties and their implication in a changing environment. She earned her BSc in Biology and her PhD in Microbial Ecology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, both with summa cum laude. Her research has been published in high impact journals, including Nature, Nature Microbiology, and Nature Communications. Valerie has been invited to present her work in 10 countries at international conferences and universities and obtained several international awards. As a Mexican, first-generation female scientist, Valerie is committed to enhancing the representation and opportunities for women in science and other underrepresented groups. She believes that making science more diverse starts by awakening and empowering children and students that just need to see themselves reflected in real-life scientists from diverse backgrounds.

UTIG Discussion Hour: Mohammad Afzal Shadab, Oden Institute

September, 27 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: ROC 2.201

DeFord Lecture | Prosenjit Ghosh

September, 28 2023

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

TBD by Dr. Prosenjit Ghosh, Indian Institute of Science

Abstract: TBD

DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.

Hot Science - Cool Talks: \"Living Wonders of the Hill Country\"

September, 29 2023

Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Welch (WEL) 2.224

\"Living Wonders of the Hill Country\"

Discover the enchanting stories that make the Hill Country such a unique place. From colorful wildflowers to endangered species, an incredible variety of plants and animals call this region home. Learn about the importance of preserving the Hill Country\'s biological diversity and leave with ideas for how you can make a positive difference. Copies of Dr. Hillis’s new book, Armadillos to Ziziphus, will be available for purchase on site—don\'t miss the chance to get your copy signed after the talk!


David M. Hillis is the director of the Biodiversity Center at the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (aka the \"Genius Award\") in 1999 and was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 2008. He is also known for his discovery of numerous new species, including Austin’s iconic Barton Springs Salamander.


 

Cool Activities: 5:30 – 6:40 p.m.


Talk with Q&A: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.


Armadillos to Ziziphus Book Signing Post-Talk


 

Hot Science – Cool Talks provides front-row seats to world class research. For additional information about the Hot Science events, please visit http://www.hotsciencecooltalks.org 

UTIG Seminar Series: Eric Dunham, Stanford University

September, 29 2023

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: PRC 196/ROC 1.603

SpeakerEric Dunham, Professor, Department of Geophysics, Director, SDSS Center for Computation, Stanford University

Host: Demian Saffer

Title: Earthquake Swarms, Slow Slip, and Fault Valving in Coupled Models of Earthquakes and Fault Zone Fluid Transport

Abstract: Fluids and changes in pore fluid pressure in fault zones are thought to affect earthquake occurrence and fault slip behavior. Here we integrate fault zone fluid transport into earthquake cycle models to explore the coupled evolution of slip, pore fluid pressure, and fluid transport properties. We explore several models that account for the evolution of porosity and permeability in response to dilatancy, permeability enhancement during slip, chemical healing and sealing, and creep compaction. We also model the pore fluid pressure distribution along subduction megathrust faults by integrating petrologic modeling of dehydration reactions with mechanical modeling of up-dip fluid flow. The models produce fluid-driven aseismic slip, even for rate-strengthening friction, with many similarities to slow slip events, as well as swarm seismicity. We explore the relevance of these models to observations of slow slip events in subduction zones and to earthquake swarms (both naturally occurring and from injection), while also highlighting the need for additional experimental and geologic constraints to discriminate between the models.

Tailgate - UT vs. Kansas

September, 30 2023

Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: The Holland Family Student Center at the Jackson School of Geosciences

Tailgate 2023


WHEN: Saturday, September 30, 12:30-2:30pm
WHERE:
Holland Family Student Center and Munib & Angela Masri Family Courtyard - Jackson Geological Sciences Building at 23rd & San Jacinto

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UTIG Discussion Hour: Megan Kerr, UTIG

October, 04 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: ROC 2.201

DeFord Lecture | Emily Grubert

October, 05 2023

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

TBD by Dr. Emily Grubert, University of Notre Dame

Abstract: TBD

DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.

UTIG Seminar Series: Kaixuan Kang, UTIG

October, 06 2023

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: PRC 196/ROC 1.603

SpeakerKaixuan Kang, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

Host: Thorsten Becker

Check back soon for more details.

UTIG Discussion Hour: Andrea Saavedra, MSU

October, 11 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: ROC 2.201

DeFord Lecture | Ken Belitz

October, 12 2023

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

TBD by Dr. Ken Belitz of the United States Geological Survey

Abstract: TBD

DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.

UTIG Seminar Series: Jingxuan Wei, UTIG

October, 13 2023

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: PRC 196/ROC 1.603

Speaker: Jingxuan Wei, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

Host: Sean Gulick

Check back soon for more details.

GSA Friends and Alumni Reception 2023

October, 16 2023

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Join the Jackson School of Geosciences for a friends and alumni reception during GSA\'s annual meeting.

WHEN: Monday, October 16 | 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: 
Scarpino at 960 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
RSVP HERE

 

UTIG Discussion Hour: Sohini Dasgupta, UTIG

October, 18 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: ROC 2.201

DeFord Lecture | Adam Atchley

October, 19 2023

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Boyd Auditorium (JGB 2.324)

TBD by Dr. Adam Atchley of Los Alamos National Laboratory

Abstract: TBD

DeFord Lecture Series
Since the 1940\'s, the DeFord (Technical Sessions) lecture series, initially the official venue for disseminating EPS graduate student research, is a forum for lectures by distinguished visitors and members of our community. This is made possible through a series of endowments.

UTIG Seminar Series: Evan Solomon, University of Washington

October, 20 2023

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: PRC 196/ROC 1.603

SpeakerEvan Solomon, Associate Professor, University of Washington, College of the Environment

Host: Shuoshuo Han

Check back soon for more details.