Education and Outreach

Archaea Power Hour virtual seminars

The Buan lab, in collaboration with colleagues from across the US and Mexico, began the Archaea Power Hour virtual seminar series in 2021 to bring archaea enthusiasts together to grow the community of researchers with expertise in archaeal biology. The APH meets monthly through the academic year for short talks and networking with researchers of all career stages. Through the virtual seminars, website, and social media, the APH is a valuable hub for dissemination of knowledge, education materials, and for broadening participation in STEM. https://www.archaea.page/

STEM Outreach

Members of the Buan lab are dedicated to furthering science education and the understanding of biochemistry to people of all ages and educational levels. We regularly participate in outreach events such as:

• Women in Science. A campus-wide life sciences weekend of lectures and hands-on workshops to encourage high school women to enter STEM careers.
• Sunday with a Scientist "Microbes Rock!" at the Nebraska State Museum. In collaboration with Dr. Karrie Weber in the School of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, we engage the public of all ages in learning about the role of microbes in the environment and their every day lives.
• Dinosaurs and Disasters at the Nebraska State Museum. In collaboration with Dr. Karrie Weber in the School of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, we discuss the role of microbes in everything from evolution to dinosaur digestion at this annual event  that attracts approximately 5,000 visitors from across the region.

Courses

BIOC934: Genome Dynamics and Gene Expression

• This course provides a detailed examination of dynamic control mechanisms of genome maintenance and gene regulation. Mechanisms of transcription, translation, and replication based on analysis of current and seminal literature.