Genetics play a significant role in physical performance and ability. On Wednesday, November 5, Assistant Professor Matt Orr will kick off Oregon State University – Cascades’ 2014-15 It’s in the Bag lecture series with an exploration of the role of genetics in physical performance. He will use a variety of examples to showcase the variation, from grasshoppers under natural selection at high elevations, to a runner selected at an Olympic trial, to a Central Oregon bunchgrass selected by a restoration ecologist.
Orr received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Amherst College and a Ph.D. in population biology from the University of California, Davis. In his coursework and research, he works with students to examine questions in terrestrial and restoration ecology in forest, field and stream habitats throughout Central Oregon.
Prior to arriving at OSU Cascades, Orr studied the community ecology of ants and their parasites in Brazil.
OSU-Cascades’ free lunchtime lecture series showcases the range of research and scholarship underway by the branch campus faculty. The series invites you to bring a brown bag lunch and get an in-depth look at faculty research projects and understand how they relate to your world. Lectures take place throughout the academic year.
The lectures are free, but to plan for seating attendees are asked to register online at www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures. Lectures take place from noon to 1pm in Cascades Hall, room 114-115. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.
For information visit www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.
