Emily Beth Rees (Plant Biology Graduate Program)

"Plant Defenses: Attack From All Sides"

"Plants are vital to our existence on earth. They are the backbone of any habitat—providing, food, shelter, medicines, and the air we breathe. It’s easy to forget that they are living organisms that struggle against many of the same pressures as us, such as battling viruses and avoiding predators. Lacking an immune system and the ability to walk away from trouble, plants have adapted a variety of mechanisms to overcome these obstacles. In this talk, we will explore the diverse ways that plants cope with pathogens and predators—and how some of them are important to humans for agriculture and medicine."

Science Under the Stars is a free, monthly public outreach lecture series founded and organized by graduate students in the Department of Integrative Biology at The University of Texas at Austin. Events are held at 8:00pm outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703 during the Fall and Spring academic semesters. In the case of inclement weather, lectures are held indoors. Arrive early for refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages! Guided tours of the field lab are available (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!