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Local experts to share findings of cyanobacteria toxin research

MARINETTE, Wis. — Two local scholars will share what they have learned from their research of cyanobacteria toxins during a lecture titled “Neurological Health and Water Quality” from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in room M117 of the University of Wisconsin-Marinette’s main building.

Renee Richer, assistant professor of biology at UW-Marinette, and former student Cody Rasner have been researching cyanotoxins for the past two years. Rasner is a 2014 Stephenson  High School graduate who began working with Richer during the 2014-15 academic year. He now attends Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn., and recently was named an E. Arthur Bell Award winner for his ongoing research on cyanotoxins, which are a component of harmful algal blooms occupying the Great Lakes and many waterbodies throughout Wisconsin.

“I am so pleased to introduce Cody’s work to the community as well as the greater issue at large, the association of neurological disease with water quality and harmful algal blooms,” said Richer, who has taught at UW-Marinette since 2014.

The impact HABs have on human health is a growing concern in medicine, as they have been linked to several neurodegeneration disorders, including ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Factory waste and agricultural runoff are known to promote the growth of algal blooms.

Refreshments will be provided and the public is invited to attend this free presentation.

For more information, contact Richer at renee.richer@uwc.edu or 715-735-4300, ext. 4326.

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