WAVE Foundation, in partnership with Thomas More University, announces the return of the former Lecture Series, rebranded as Conservation Conversations!
We’re back with hot conservation topics on Thursday, April 3rd from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at WAVE Foundation to learn about eastern hellbenders, a local species and the largest salamander in North America. Please join us for a discussion with Thomas More University Faculty, Professor of Biological Sciences, Dr. Christopher Lorentz, and Field Station Manager, Molly Williams as they share information on the current state of hellbenders in our region, what Thomas More is doing to research the species, and how their proposed conservation program will help species research in the future.
Proceeds from this event support WAVE Foundation conservation education and the research happening at TMU Field Station.
Register Now
SPEAKER BIOS:
Dr. Chris Lorentz is in his 30th year at Thomas More University serving as Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Environmental Science Program. He teaches a variety of classes including Aquatic Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, and General Biology, among others. Dr. Lorentz also serves as the Director of the University’s Ohio River Biology Field Station. His research focuses on bioassessments of aquatic ecosystems, conservation of threatened & endangered species, and ecotoxicology. Dr. Lorentz was a former Chair of the WAVE Foundation Board and Past President of the Organization of Biological Field Stations, an international society comprising over 225 member stations from 20 countries and six continents that focuses on environmental research and public understanding of science. He was recently elected as Chair of the Ohio River Basin Alliance, a non-profit organization working to set water resource priorities for the Ohio River Basin, to sustain healthy ecosystems and communities, and to improve our water-dependent economies.
Molly Williams, manager of the Thomas More University Biology Field Station, began her career at a small liberal arts college in Michigan where she majored in Biology and minored in Spanish. During her undergraduate studies, Molly worked as a river bioassessment intern at the Biology Field Station, served as the Sustainability Coordinator for the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s family camp, and conducted her senior thesis research on the impacts of agricultural land use on stream biology. After graduating, Molly returned to the Biology Field Station to work as their first-ever, full-time staff where she oversees the Station’s STEM outreach and laboratory programs.
