Presentation - Thursday May 21, 7 - 8:30 pm, Blackburn Lk.

Introducing Small-Life Biodiversity

by Dr. Elaine Humphrey

(Limit 35 - Register for this presentation here)

Elaine Humphrey will introduce the world of small-life biodiversity that can be investigated with microscopes including the a portable SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) she will bring over from UVIC. This is a unique opportunity for Salt Spring Islanders to explore our biodiversity with some essential tools of biological research. 

Elaine’s expertise with the SEM and other microscopes will be the glue that holds this Biodiversity Extravaganza together for the following three days. Each day (Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24) will feature two sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 

Each session will include a ‘field portion’ involving observation and sample collection outside in natural habitats, followed by a ‘lab portion’ at the SSIC Blackburn building.

While pursuing her PhD in Biological Oceanography, Elaine Humphrey was introduced to Electron Microscopy. She now works at University of Victoria where she is Project Manager at the Advanced Microscopy Facility.

The entire  biological, chemical and physical world is of interest to Elaine, and she views the living world as an astonishing, wonderful place. One of her mandates is to get more science into elementary and middle schools and provide support to teachers—a large percentage of whom come from an arts background. She has received many awards for her work and she is widely known for her CBC North-By-Northwest show Puzzle Series that challenges viewers to identify a mysterious SEM image.