The Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) lecture series has operated since 1990 to foster science education in our community for youths through adults. Once a month during the academic year, MAPS offers stimulating free science programming, bringing educators and local citizens into contact with scientists and mind-expanding ideas.
Fall 2020 Schedule
Viruses: An Introduction to Virology and Coronaviruses
- Erynn Lucas. Ph.D.
- Friday, September 25, 2020
- 7:30 pm, Remote through Zoom
Watch a recording of this presentation here
In this talk Dr. Lucas will answer the questions: What are viruses? Are they living?
How can they have such an impact, especially in 2020 with Covid-19? Erynn will also
talk about non SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses.
Dr. Lucas earned her BS degree from the University of Arizona with a major in microbiology
and a minor in chemistry. She completed a PhD program right after graduation also
at the U of A. In her program, she studied pathogenic bacteriology specializing in
toxin characterization. Always interested in teaching, she decided to pursue a certificate
in college teaching. She loves teaching students about infectious diseases of all
kinds and has been at MJC since 2009.
Health Disparities and COVID-19 Transmission in Stanislaus County
Chelsey Donohoo
- Panel presentation from Stanislaus County Health Services Agency epidemiologists:
- Chelsey Donohoo
- Kamlesh Kaur
- Lana Oson
- Friday, October 30, 2020
- 7:30 pm, Remote through Zoom
Watch a recording of this presentation here
This virtual presentation will overview health disparities in Stanislaus County and their impact on COVID-19 transmission within the community.
Shifting Primatology Research to Meet Community Needs
- Jennifer Danzy Cramer, Ph.D.
- Friday, November 13, 2020
- 7:30 pm, Remote through Zoom
Watch a recording of this presentation
Jennifer Danzy Cramer is a primatologist who studies monkeys in Africa. Working in a fruit fly genetics lab for most of her undergraduate program, she quickly learned she was better suited to the outdoors and larger, more social organisms. Jennifer’s field research has taken her to Central America, the Caribbean, and seven African countries. In this talk, Jennifer will discuss how her science and research background led her from studying the behavior of primates to more applied, community-led projects focused on health and conservation. Jennifer is passionate about partnering with local communities and leaders to support their needs and priorities through research and conservation.