Join SURF for “Deep Talks: The Buzz in Bees” public event on May 11

LEAD, SD— Bacteria rule the world. That’s a lesson Kayla Miller, an assistant professor of biology at Dakota Wesleyan University, learned early in her studies. “Every organism in the world has a microbiome,” Miller said. “We don’t see them, we don’t think about them, but they are calling the shots.”

Miller studies the relationship between microbiomes and their hosts, which can be humans, plants, or animals. Her research focuses primarily on the gut microbiome of nature’s most charismatic pollinator, the honeybee, and how those microbes communicate with each other. 

On Thursday, May 11, Miller will discuss how something as tiny as a honeybee gut microbiome could impact South Dakota’s entire ecosystem at “Deep Talks: The Buzz in Bees,” hosted by the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).

“Kayla’s research sits at the intersection of global scientific inquiry and our local ecosystem,” said Erin Woodward, coordinator of SURF’s Deep Talks event series. “We invite you to join us and learn about the microbes that are at work all around—and inside—us!”

Attendees will have the opportunity to view bacteria from a honeybee under a microscope.

The Deep Talks lecture series is sponsored by Crow Peak Brewing Company, RCS Construction, Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, Edward Jones, and Chuck and Jolene Lichtenwalner. 

How to attend:

Deep Talks is held at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 W. Main Street, in Lead, South Dakota. The event begins at 5 p.m. MT with a social hour that includes a Crow Peak Brewing Company beer tasting (must be 21 and older to drink) and light refreshments. The presentation will begin in the Visitor Center classroom at 6 p.m. MT.

Want to attend virtually? The presentation will be livestreamed on our event webpage starting at 6 p.m. MT. 

Sanford Underground Research Facility is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Our mission is to advance world class science and inspire learning across generations. Visit SURF at www.sanfordlab.org.