Universiti Sains Malaysia seminar

Date：22 October, 2014 16.00 – 18.00
Venue：Meeting Room (Room No. 107) on the 1st Floor of East Building, CSEAS, Kyoto University

Speaker：
Dr. Chow-Yang Lee(Urban Entomology Laboratory, Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Dr. Foong Swee Yeok(School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Abstract：
Let’s eat insects
Prof. Chow-Yang Lee

Insects as human food have recently emerged as one of the pertinent solutions in the 21st century food security issues such as the rising cost and environmental issues involved in the production of animal protein and rising human population. The consumption of insects (entomophagy) could promote positive factors to the environment, and to health and livelihoods. In this presentation, I will discuss (1) the benefits of using insects as protein sources, (2) the underlying challenges relating to entomophagy, (3) the processing and storage of insects to ensure food safety, (4) how farming insects can provide economic benefits to developing nations, and (5) what it takes to change the negative perception of the people to accept insects as a protein source.

MANGROVE PALYNOLOGY & BEYOND
Dr. FOONG, Swee Yeok

Pollen, the tiny element that carries the male reproductive nucleus of plant is coated with highly inert sporopollenin. It is this long chain polymer coating that helps pollen to remain unaltered for millions of years especially in anaerobic and acidic sediment. Couple with other characteristics of pollen, palynology (pollen studies) is one of the most important methods used to document historical vegetation dynamics, to trace the position of palaeo-shoreline or sea-level changes, in petroleum exploration and even in forensic application. Most recently, with the surge of interest on climate sensitivity, many have begun venturing into palaeoclimatology especially in regions that warm fastest, i.e. the Antarctic. However, understanding the production and mechanism of pollen transport is crucial to interpret pollen record at any site. In this presentation, I will emphasis on the importance of palynology in the study of past and present ecosystems, especially at the coastal zone, archeological significant sites and Antarctic.