Press Release
Fla. Museum lecture focuses on use of lice in human evolution studies
For Immediate Release April 7, 2005
Contact:
Paul Ramey, Dir. of Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Kristin Ede
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History will host a Science Sunday lecture titled "Of Lice and Men: What Lice and Other Parasites Can Tell Us About Our Evolutionary History" by Florida Museum Curator of Mammals David Reed from 2-3 p.m. on April 24. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Reed will explain how scientists use parasites to better understand human evolutionary history, including parasites such as tapeworms, pinworms, fungi, bacteria and mites, as well as lice. He also will discuss his personal studies of parasites, which recently suggested new events in human evolutionary history that human fossil and DNA sequence data have failed to record.
Reed's expert research and discoveries in human evolution and parasites have been featured around the world in many news publications, including "The New York Times," "The London Times," "National Public Radio" and "The Sydney Morning Herald."
The Florida Museum also will offer a new program for children during the lecture, "Sunday Snoop." Adults can take a break and enjoy the lecture while museum staff entertain children ages 4-10 for an hour with fun activities and a guided tour. Registration for "Sunday Snoop" is $5 and pre-registration is required. When book signings are held after a lecture, children will be returned to parents at the end of the lecture portion of the program. Visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/lectures.htm for more information.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, including ticket prices, directions and parking information, call (352) 846-2000, or visit the museum online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.