Presentation by Catherine Cullingham, Professor, Department of Biology

Human genetic testing kits are quite popular, with over 18 million sold worldwide. The data generated can give people insight into their genetic heritage, disease risks, allergies, even traits inherited from Neanderthals. These same approaches can be used to examine wildlife populations to address management and conservation issues.

In this talk, Prof. Cullingham will use her research to highlight how genetic information can be used to help address difficult problems in nature. She will explore examples from both forestry (the mountain pine beetle system), and terrestrial mammals (chronic wasting disease) to show how genetic data can help fill knowledge gaps and be used by wildlife managers to make informed decisions.

About the Science Café:

Explore science through Carleton University’s popular Science Café series, held twice a month during the fall and winter terms at the Sunnyside Branch of the Ottawa Public Library at 1049 Bank Street (at Aylmer Ave in Old Ottawa South). Each café begins at 6:30 p.m. with a 20-minute talk by a scientist followed by a 40-minute open question and answer period.