Susan Bassham Featured in Scientific American Video on Rapid Evolution
Dr. Susan Bassham’s research on rapid evolution in threespine stickleback has been featured in Scientific American’s Sustainability 60-Second Science Video series!
The video, titled “Fish on Evolution’s Fast Track,” brilliantly captures how our research on Alaskan stickleback populations demonstrates evolution happening in real-time, providing compelling evidence for rapid adaptation in nature.
The Scientific American Feature
The video highlights: - Evolution in just 50 years - Earthquake-created habitats - Rapid stickleback adaptation - Real-time evolutionary change - Environmental selection pressures
Research Background
Susan’s featured work examines: - 1964 Alaska earthquake impacts - Newly formed freshwater ponds - Marine stickleback colonization - Rapid phenotypic changes - Genomic basis of adaptation
Rapid Evolution Evidence
The research demonstrates: - Morphological changes in decades - Armor plate reduction - Body shape modifications - Behavioral adaptations - Reproductive changes
Scientific Significance
This work is important because: - Challenges evolutionary timescales - Documents contemporary evolution - Links genotype to phenotype - Demonstrates natural selection - Provides climate change insights
Public Engagement
The video achieves: - Science accessibility - Visual storytelling - Evolution education - Research impact communication - Public science literacy
Media Platform
Scientific American’s reach: - Millions of viewers globally - Educational resource - Science communication excellence - Trusted science source - Broad audience engagement
Research Team
The featured work involved: - Multi-year field studies - Collaborative research effort - Student training opportunities - International collaboration - Integrative approaches
Educational Value
The video serves as: - Teaching resource - Evolution demonstration - Climate change relevance - Scientific method example - Engaging science content
Complementary Coverage
This adds to recent media: - Jefferson Public Radio interview - University press releases - Scientific publications - Conference presentations - Social media discussion
Evolution in Action
The work showcases: - Natural experiments - Predictable evolution - Parallel adaptation - Genomic changes - Ecological genomics
Climate Change Relevance
Research implications for: - Species adaptation potential - Environmental change responses - Conservation strategies - Evolutionary rescue - Biodiversity maintenance
Lab Research Visibility
This coverage promotes: - Cresko Lab research - University of Oregon science - NSF-funded research - Student opportunities - Scientific excellence
The video beautifully communicates how evolution isn’t just history—it’s happening right now!