Highlight
Dr. Peter Daszak, Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust, an international NGO dedicated to wildlife conservation and conservation medicine, participates in the University of Montana Presidential Lecture Series
Achievement/Results
Dr. Peter Daszak, Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust, an international NGO dedicated to wildlife conservation and conservation medicine, was selected and nominated by M-EID Trainees to participate in the University of Montana Presidential Lecture Series. This prestigious town-and-gown lecture series brings world-renowned intellectuals from all aspects of life and society to Missoula, Montana to interface with faculty and the public. Dr. Daszak’s visit in November, 2008 included dinner with UM Faculty and upper Administration, a scientific lecture, a lecture for the general public, a radio interview, and broadcast of his presentation on public television in Montana. In addition, Dr. Daszak spent private time with M-EID Trainees in roundtable discussions of his work and theirs, as well as career opportunities related to disease ecology (our IGERT’s intellectual focus).
Address Goals
Consultation with trainees individually and with the group as a whole by this world-class leader in conservation science encouraged trainees to think more deeply about how they can integrate their scientific interests into meaningful research endeavors that will have a positive impact on the world. These interactions also fostered the discussion of research ideas that would bring our nation’s scientists to the forefront of the movement to collaboratively address global conservation issues with the help of teams of scientists across disciplines from countries across the globe. During his visit, Dr. Daszak demonstrated that there is an inherent responsibility for scientists to communicate their work to the broader public, an act that can contribute profoundly to the goal of expanding scientific literacy of all citizens.
