- This event has passed.
Distinguished Speaker Series: Dr. Jayme Smith
April 3 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & refreshments available for purchase at event.
Distinguished Speaker: Dr. Jayme Smith
Dive into the hidden depths with Dr. Jayme Smith as she unveils the mysterious world of phytoplankton, the microscopic powerhouses at the heart of our marine ecosystems. Discover their vital role in sustaining life and the perilous impact of their dark side: harmful algal blooms (HABs) that threaten marine life and human health. In this enlightening talk, Dr. Smith will explore the increasing global occurrence of HABs, their effects on southern California’s waters, and the cutting-edge research aimed at mitigating their impact. Join us for a journey into the microscopic world, where the smallest organisms tell the ocean’s biggest stories.
Wednesday, April 3
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Doors open at 5:30 pm, and talk begins at 6:00 pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)
About Dr. Jayme Smith:
With a storied career dedicated to the study of HABs, Dr. Smith’s research focuses on understanding the conditions that foster these toxic events in marine and freshwater systems, and their broader ecological and health impacts. Having earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Southern California, Dr. Smith has worked collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and resource managers to make exciting advancements in HAB monitoring and research in California. Her talk promises to takeattendees on a deep dive into the world of phytoplankton, the foundational organisms of the marine food web, their role in oxygen production, and the dual threat they pose through the production of harmful toxins.
