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Brent Hawkins
 Brent Hawkins
conducts research in evolutionary developmental biology, a field that lies at the intersection of embryology, genetics, molecular biology, and morphological analysis. Using this interdisciplinary approach, Brent seeks to understand the genes that control animal development and how changes in these genes have resulted in the diversity of animal shapes observed today. In his graduate research, he investigates the evolutionary origin of novel morphological structures. Brent wants to encourage student interest in evolution and development, and show students how knowledge of these topics not only enriches our lives but also is medically significant.
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Special Presentations:
From Eggs to Animals: a Primer in Developmental Biology
Developmental biology is the study of the mechanisms that guide the growth of an organism from a fertilized egg to its adult form. This field is especially important in a medical context to aid our understanding of human congenital malformations like spina bifida and cleft palate by use of animal models. This activity demonstrates how scientists collect and use developmental data using the zebrafish model. Students will compare zebrafish specimens that have been treated with various chemicals that alter their development and in particular will observe the effects of alcohol on fish development (a model for human Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). (Grades 9-12)
Evo-Devo: It's not a Rock Band
Evolutionary Developmental Biology is an emerging field that seeks to understand the genetic basis of morphological change. What genes make a bat's wing grow differently from a mouse's paw? Why do some bugs have lots of legs while insects only have six? These are the kinds of questions that the evolutionary developmental biologist addresses using cutting-edge techniques from a variety of disciplines. In this presentation, students quantify morphological differences in head shape and features between two fish species and discuss how these differences relate to the environments in which these fish live. Students will then explore how an evolutionary developmental biologist might determine the genetic basis of this difference. (Grades 9-12)
Avian Influenza: How This Virus "Flu" the Bird Coop
Every few years we hear overblown media coverage of a new disease outbreak. Avian flu and now swine flu are just a few examples, but what really are these diseases? Where do they come from? To separate the science from the news sensationalism, students will learn about viral evolution, how antigenic shift can lead to transmission between species, and why such a jump can result in a pandemic. Through a disease transmission activity, students will observe first-hand how quickly disease can be spread and why vaccination and herd immunity are important. This presentation will give students the tools to critically analyze popular reports on future pandemics and other disease outbreaks. (Grades 9-12)
Brent earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado with four science majors: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology; Biochemistry; and Integrative Physiology. He is currently working on his Master's Degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at CU-Boulder.
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