The Provost Lecture Series 3

Date: December 14, 2022

Title: A passion for little creatures with six legs

Speaker: Professor Tom Bourguignon, Evolutionary Genomics Unit

Chair: Professor Amy Shen, Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Provost

Abstract:

While many find insects repulsive, like many Japanese kids, I developed a passion for them. I first enjoyed collecting beetles until I settled to study cockroaches as an undergraduate student, especially their social forms, better known as termites. I brought this passion for bugs with me in Okinawa, and in this lecture, I will narrate the epic tale of termites. I will explain how they became one of the most abundant animal groups in terrestrial ecosystems and how their world is now threatened by human activities. I hope this lecture will convince you that cockroaches (and insects in general) are not creepy but wonderful little creatures.

Venue: Sydney Brenner Lecture Theater B250

Time:

16:00- 17:15: Introduction, Lecture and Q&A

17:15-17:45 Teatime

Seminar video link

The Provost Lecture Series will provide an opportunity to celebrate milestones in the careers of OIST faculty members. It will recognize newly promoted professors and those who have received prestigious awards. It will highlight faculty achievements and create a space for retiring professors to talk about their research accomplishments and lessons learned over the course of their career. It is a way to celebrate OIST faculty, introduce them to the broader OIST community, acknowledge their research successes, share about their teaching and mentorship of students, and honor their service to the university.

Contact: Office of the Provost　Email: provost_office@oist.jp