Dr Erin Hahn ‘Conservation time machine: harnessing degraded DNA for wildlife protection’

Dr Erin Hahn, a wildlife Research Scientist at CSIRO will unveil the power of DNA in wildlife conservation. Discover how 100-year-old museum specimens help predict species' response to climate change, and how she’s collecting airborne DNA to monitor rare species and invasive species. A fascinating glimpse into the future of Australian wildlife protection!

Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYY

Abstract

Dr Erin Hahn, a Research Scientist at the Australian National Wildlife Collection, will take you on a journey into the world of DNA technologies and their pivotal role in wildlife management. Discover how Dr. Hahn's pioneering research is revolutionizing conservation efforts for Australian species.

Using DNA preserved in 100-year-old museum specimens, Dr. Hahn unravels the impacts of climate change on species. By analysing historical data, we can predict how species might respond to future changes, enabling targeted conservation interventions for those most in need. Dr. Hahn's innovative approach also involves collecting DNA from the air, providing a non-invasive method for monitoring wildlife populations. This technology allows us to track rare and endangered species, as well as detect potential threats from invasive pests and pathogens, leading to early intervention and proactive conservation measures.

Join us for an engaging presentation by Dr. Erin Hahn, a passionate science communicator and Science and Technology Australia Superstar of STEM. Discover how DNA technologies are empowering wildlife managers to make informed decisions and protect the diverse species that call Australia home.

Biography  

Dr Erin Hahn received her PhD in Genomics from the University of Arizona in 2016, picking up a National Science Foundation traineeship and two daughters during her studies. While at UA, Erin served as a founding board member of the Tucson Women in STEM (TWiSTEM) advocacy group. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at CSIRO with the Environomics Future Science Platform. Erin was recently selected as a Superstar of STEM. Through this program she is involved in being a STEM advocate and role model for young scientists.

Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development, and thank all those who have donated. 

Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.

It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made from the 29th September until the Wednesday night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. 

Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTYY

The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

The talks are in line with COVID-19 guidelines which can change rapidly.