IN PERSON: Did you know there are more microbes on Earth than stars in the universe? This astonishing diversity shapes every corner of our planet. In this course, we will explore the hidden world of microbial life, from devastating pathogens to the indispensable partners that make ecosystems function. Two guest experts will join us to share their cutting-edge insights into plant diseases and urban microbiomes. A central theme of the course is how scientists detect, model, and predict microbial dynamics, especially as microbes operate at the intersection of ecology and evolution. We will examine the tools researchers use to study these invisible communities and discuss why microbial processes matter for global change. Finally, we will engage with a timely debate now unfolding in international policy circles: Should microbial life receive protection alongside more familiar “macroscopic” species? Together we will consider what it means to safeguard life we cannot see but rely on every day. | Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 24.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
