Plague, Famine, and Beer: The Impact of Microscopic Organisms on Human Civilization with Brett Arenz

This lecture will contain highlights from the undergraduate class offered in the Plant Pathology department by the same name. Back by popular demand, “Plague, Famine and Beer” will expose the impacts that microbes have made on the course of human civilization. We’ll learn about the negative influences of major infectious diseases on plants and humans, as well as the positive benefits attained by harnessing the power of microbes (Beer!). Historic timeline includes prehistoric to present day as well as projected future impacts.

Brett Arenz, U of MN Teaching Professor serves as the director of the Plant Disease Clinic at the University of Minnesota. The clinic diagnoses thousands of samples per year submitted by homeowners, government agencies, and private industries in horticulture, landscaping, forestry, and agriculture. It also serves a vital function in protecting national food biosecurity by acting as the sole surveillance clinic representing Minnesota in the National Plant Diagnostic Network.

A Zoom link to access this meeting along with instructions and password will be emailed to MMS members.

This meeting is free and open to the public.  If you are not a member, contact webmaster@minnesotamycologicalsociety.org to get details on how to join this virtual meeting.  Please do so no later than an hour before the meeting.

If you haven’t used Zoom before and don’t want to miss anything, you may want to click on the meeting link to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with it at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting.

How to join a Zoom meeting – You do not need a Zoom account, but you will need the Zoom app installed on your desktop or mobile device. You can either download the Zoom app in advance here. Or, you will be automatically prompted to download and install the Zoom app when you click on a meeting link for the first time. You can also join a test meeting at any time at https://zoom.us/test.  Watch a video on how to join a Zoom meeting here.