Science Cafe

 Science Cafe :: Art Cafe :: Recreation Cafe :: History Cafe

Science has been a successful topic in the cafe setting for almost three years in Fort Collins and, since 1998, around the world. The second Wednesday of the month, Beet Street engages scientists and researchers to present and discuss their topics and research with our community members. Topics span the hard sciences, ranging from green technology to medical research developments to astronomy, to name only a few.

This Month's Science Cafe Speaker

When: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Led by: Dr. Gayle Volk is a Plant Physiologist at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado

Topic: Apples: Diversity and Domestication

Where: Avogadro's Number, 605 South Mason St.

5:30pm – Arrive and order your food/drink
6:00pm – Lecture/Discussion begins promptly
7:00pm – Discussion concludes

Apples are the second most valuable fruit crop (behind Citrus) in the US, but most consumers have only sampled a few of the thousands of different apple varieties.  In fact, the USDA collection maintained in Geneva, NY, has 5677 apple accessions representing 53 species.  Our research program has sought to determine the genetic diversity in wild apple species from the Middle East, Central Asia, and China and to ensure that we are able to capture that diversity in conservation programs.  We’re also exploring the genetic relationships among apples and some of their relatives: pears, quince, serviceberries, cotoneasters, and hawthorns. In addition to presenting our diversity and apple conservation work, I’ll also include historical as well as new data on the domestication of one of America’s favorite fruits.

Dr. Gayle Volk is a Plant Physiologist at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado.  She’s originally from Corvallis, Oregon and she did her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University.  She continued her education with a Master’s degree in Horticulture from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Cornell University.  Dr. Volk is part of the NCGRP research team that develops, improves and standardizes procedures for more efficient conservation of agriculturally and economically important plant species.  Dr. Volk’s research program focuses on the enhanced preservation of USDA’s collections of diverse fruit species by using a number of genetic, molecular, and ultrastructural techniques to better understand how at-risk field collections can be successfully conserved at NCGRP.  Currently her research program includes the development of conservation strategies for apple, pear, citrus, avocado, cherry, peach, poplar, paw paw, pecan, walnut and garlic collections in the US. 

Website links:

Homepage for NCGRP

http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=54-02-05-00

Genebanking strategies part of NCGRP website:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=17871

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