Elephants in the Room - Panel Discussion

101 W Vermilion St,Lafayette LA 70501

18 November, 2021

Description

Elephants in the Room: Environmental Challenges in the Gulf of Mexico Region Join us for a discussion of the challenges facing the ecosystem of our beloved Gulf of Mexico region, with moderator Christiaan Mader. Our panelists will have a conversation about contemporary challenges such as overfishing, land loss, industry, and recurring natural disasters. Through this informed conversation we hope to push towards imagining a balanced future for our coastal region. Moderator: Christiaan Mader Panelists: Brandon BallengéeLouis MichotRodneyna HartDr. Ben DubanskyDr Ben Dubansky Benjamin Dubansky, a developmental physiologist, received his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University, and then his Ph. D. from Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Fernando Galvez. He is now a Research Scientist with the Developmental Integrative Physiology Research Cluster at the University of North Texas, Department of Biological Sciences. Dr. Dubansky began his work on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in May 2010, prior to landfall of oil, and has been heavily involved in understanding the basic science surrounding the effects of the spill on native species affected by the oil. He has also participated in regulatory science at the local, state and federal level for the spill and other environmental contamination scenarios. Dr. Dubansky’s expertise spans from the molecular level to whole animal physiology, incorporating a wide range of techniques to increase our understanding of the physiological responses that occur when animals are exposed to both natural and anthropogenic stressors. His work focuses primarily on developmental processes, where consequences can potentially be translated from individuals to the population-level. For the RECOVER consortium, Dr. Dubansky is working alongside Dr. Warren Burggren to characterize the effects of Deepwater Horizon oil on cardiac output and blood pressure in embryonic and larval mahi-mahi and red drum. This work in intended to shed light on the potential effects of sub-lethal exposure to oil on the long-term health of young fish that were exposed during the summer of 2010, and to increase our understanding of cardiac developmental physiology. Rodneyna Hart As Division Director at Louisiana State Museum, Rodneyna Hart is responsible for four history museums throughout Louisiana. Rodneyna adds structural support to further the success of each institution through programming, promotion, partnerships, and exhibitions that strategically meet the needs of the communities served. She worked as exhibitions manager, preparator, and curator for various galleries and museums throughout Louisiana and Co-Curator of the Prospect.3+BR Invitational. Advocating for more inclusive and intersectional cultural spaces, Hart created pop-up art events open to all with an educational component providing resources for emerging artists. Hart reestablished and served as Executive Director for the not-for-profit organization, Culture Candy. She received a gubernatorial appointment to the Louisiana State Arts Council in 2017 and served as the Council’s representative on the Folklife Commission for Louisiana. Among other pursuits, Hart is a student of Louisiana State Museum Shreveport working towards a Masters of Business Administration. She has been strategic in the growth of the cultural community as an artist, boards of directors member, and freelance administrative, and volunteer work. Christiaan Mader Christiaan is the founder and executive editor of The Current. An award-winning investigative and culture journalist, Christiaan’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Vice, Offbeat, Gambit, the USA Today Network and The Advocate. He is a Lafayette native, a recovering musician and serves on the programming committee for Leadership Lafayette. He is also a member of The Current’s board of directors.