University of Minnesota

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Invasion Biology Research Consortium (IBRC)

• University of Minnesota
• http//mnibrc.agri.umn.edu

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IBRC Format

• Low-cost U of M Center
• Web presence
• No physical office staff
• 2001-2002 Hosted by the Dept. of Hort. Science
• 2002-2003 Hosted by the Dept. of Entomology

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IRBC Primary Objectives

• Focus on the biology of plant, invertebrate,
  animal invasions
• Conduct research forums (2/year for the first two
  years)
• Increase the visibility of invasion biology
  research at the U of M
• Think-tank format to promote discussion and
  research

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IRBC Secondary Objectives

• Grant-writing for interdisciplinary cooperative
  research
• Establishment of the U of M as a premiere
  institution in invasive species research
• Graduate student recruiting
• Promotion of discussions between faculty
• Promotion of cooperative research with
  state/national regulatory agencies the industry

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Funding

• Received a grant for 2001-2003
• Interdisciplinary Research, Scholarly and
  Creative Activities (U of M)
• Establishment of the center
• Commence with four research forums
• Each forum to focus on a specific topic
• Forums hosted by a faculty subgroup

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IBRC Launch Jan. 10, 2002

• Building a culture promoting interaction
• Brief talks (faculty, agency personnel)
• Poster session (graduate students)
• Learn about research interests of participating
  faculty

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Research Forum April 12-13, 2002

• Evolutionary Consequences of Biological
  Invasions
• Sponsored by the Minnesota Center for Community
  Genetics
• IBRC will join in with this symposium
• IBRC nominated Dr. James Hancock, MSU, as a
  speaker
• Committee James Luby, Neil Anderson, David Andow

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Research Forum May 21-22, 2002

• Community Invasibility Workshop
• Committee Roger Becker, Iris Charvat, Susan
  Galatowitsch (chair)
• General question What about a place invites
  invasion?
• Speakers Dr. Jim Bever, Indiana Univ. Dr. Mark
  David, Macalester College Dr. Mark Lonsdale,
  CSIRO-Australia Dr. Ken Petren, Univ. Cincinnati

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Forum Format

• Each speaker will give a 30-minute talk
• Talks will catalyze a 60-minute round-table
  discussion
• Two talks, round table discussions per day
• Conclude with a four-part public lecture panel
  discussion
• Each speaker will make a short presentation
  followed by a panel discussion

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Research Forum Jan. or June, 2003

• Topic Evolution, Applied Genetics
• Committee Don Wyse (chair), Neil Anderson,
  Andrew Simons

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Research Forum Jan. or June, 2003

• Topic Recovery after invasions
• Committee Diane Larson (chair), Ray Newman,
  David Ragsdale, George Heimpel

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Lets Begin!