The next regular meeting of the BPS is Monday, June 1, 2009, 7-9 pm at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The speaker will be Dr. Fred Andrus.  His title for the lecture is "Sclerochronology:  Fossil records of ecology, climate, and environment".  He is an assistant professor in the department of geological sciences in Tuscaloosa.

Dr. Andrus research interests:

"My research focuses on developing and applying new proxies relevant to reconstructing paleoclimate variation, often in the Pleistocene and Holocene. Methodologically, I focus on isotopic and elemental archives derived from microsampling accretionary carbonate skeletons. This sampling includes mollusk valves, corals, and fish otoliths. I have particular interest in reconstructing how climate influences organisms, including humans, especially as related to paleoecology.  This approach often necessitates the investigation of the life history of organisms that may act as paleoclimate indicators and the use of archaeological remains as a source of paleoenvironmental data. "

Free parking, enter the McWane parking deck from 2nd Ave. NORTH and proceed to yellow level "C". Enter door marked "Special Events" and turn left to the large auditorium.