GUEST SPEAKER: JUJU Dessert
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 7 PM CST
WHERE: Online
COST: Free with Registration (Donations Accepted)
Join us for a fascinating deep dive into the hidden world of leafcutter ants and their fungal partners with Juju, a PhD student in molecular biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Specializing in proteomics, Juju’s research explores the enzymatic breakdown of plant biomass within the ant-fungus symbiosis.
In this engaging presentation, Juju will guide us through the intricate life cycle of a leafcutter ant colony and uncover the evolutionary origins of their extraordinary agricultural partnership with a specialized fungus. Discover how these tiny farmers cultivate and maintain their fungal crops, the specific roles the fungus plays in nutrient cycling, and the sophisticated biochemical processes involved in breaking down plant material.
Whether you're a mycology enthusiast, an insect admirer, or just curious about the wonders of nature’s collaborations, this talk will leave you in awe of one of the most complex and cooperative systems in the natural world.
REGISTER AND TO BE ENTERED to WIN A MUSHROOM MATCHING GAME from DANIEL REYES of MYCOALLIANCE.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Austin, from Austin, is a long time gardener and farm nerd in the Central Texas scene. Through volunteer farming and engaging in outreach he actively pursues ways to improve the local food system with the aim of cultivating community.