HSU professor leads lunch, lecture

Henderson State University biology professor James Engman was the featured speaker for the National Park College Math and Science Division's inaugural First Friday Lunch and Lecture program.

The new series is planned to be held at noon on the first Friday of each month in the Laboratory Science Building on the NPC campus. Engman presented the program "Coral Reefs at Risk and Marine Biology Opportunities at HSU."

Engman discussed the diverse ecological communities that make up the ocean's reefs and noted a list of issues that impact them including, climate change, pH changes due to carbon dioxide concentrations, coastal development, overfishing, disease, hurricanes and tourists.

Henderson State maintains a biological field station at Lake DeGray where students can research and study local ecology. Students who are part of the Biology program at Henderson State have gone on to complete graduate programs from notable universities across the country in a variety of fields.

Engman plans to take a group of students to the Galápagos Islands in June followed by a trip to the Belize Marine Conservation in San Pedro in July. His presentation included dozens of photos from expeditions he has led and invited NPC students who may be interested to attend.