Wind down from the workday by learning something new over drinks! Join Overton Park Conservancy at the Golf Clubhouse for a happy hour with guest speakers who will share unique perspectives from their corners of the scientific world. All are welcome; no previous scientific knowledge required
Science Café is scheduled for 5:30 pm the first Tuesday of each month, February – May 2025. Registration will open two weeks prior to each program.
Spring 2025 Schedule
February 4 | Daniel Grose + Panel | Memphis Botanic Garden | Native Plant Ecology and Horticulture
March 4 | Dr. James Guldin | Southern Research Station, US Forest Service (Retired) | Ecology and Management of Forests
April 1 | Dr. Jennifer Mandel | University of Memphis | Genetic Diversity of Plants in Natural and Agricultural Systems
May 6 | Dr. Michel Ohmer | University of Mississippi | Amphibian Disease, Global Change Biology, and Conservation
Upcoming
Genetic Diversity of Plants in Natural and Agricultural Systems
Plant genetic diversity is the foundation of resilient ecosystems and sustainable agriculture. This Science Café will explore the genetic variation found in both natural and agricultural plant populations, highlighting how this diversity supports adaptation to environmental change. Using examples from ongoing research, we’ll discuss the evolutionary processes shaping plant genomes, the importance of conserving genetic resources, and how genomics can inform conservation and crop improvement efforts.
Dr. Jennifer Mandel is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis, where her research focuses on plant evolutionary genetics and conservation genomics. She investigates genetic diversity in both wild and cultivated plants to understand how species adapt to their environments. Her work has implications for biodiversity conservation, crop improvement, and ecosystem resilience. Dr. Mandel has led numerous research projects funded by federal agencies and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. She also directs the University of Memphis Herbarium and the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education whose mission is to prepare the next generation of innovators in agriculture and conservation.
Register here
Questions? Send us an email
Please review our cancellation policy here.
Overton Park Conservancy is the nonprofit organization that has been caring for Memphis’s central green space since 2012. With the generous support of our community, we work each day to make the park a beautiful and welcoming place for all Memphians, as well as a valuable source of urban habitat for wildlife.
The Conservancy must raise roughly 85% of our budget each year from people like you who care about the many things Overton Park has to offer. A gift of any amount helps us maintain and improve the park.