Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What: Learn about the specialized research equipment housed in the new Burevitch Laboratory, opened for fall 2011. University of North Carolina Wilmington students and faculty use the lab to investigate marine mammal strandings, oyster habitats, coastal plants and marine fish.

Interview undergraduate and graduate students who conduct research, as well as faculty experts. Research topics will focus on plants and animals important to North Carolina's economy and environment, including whales and dolphins, commercial and recreational fish species, coastal plants and oysters. See equipment and research demonstrations.

When: 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23

Where: Louise Oriole Burevitch Laboratory, UNCW Campus. Named for a Wilmington, N.C. donor who contributed to its construction, it is one of the few labs on the East Coast equipped for marine mammal investigation, including whale necropsies.

Demonstrations, Research and Equipment
• Analyses of dolphin and whale specimens stranded along N.C. beaches
• A crane that can lift specimens weighing up to 4000 lbs
• LI-COR 6400XT – A state-of-the-art, portable photosynthesis system
• Studies of the spawning, feeding and migration of commercial and recreational fish species to provide data to resource managers
• Oyster habitat research
• Live digital and video conferencing capability
• Research vehicles – Whale stranding truck, "mobile lab" trailer for large whale and mass stranding response, twin-axle trailer for large carcass transport

Directions and Parking
The Burevitch Lab is located behind Friday Hall. Enter campus from College Road onto Randall Drive, and continue on Randall until it curves around onto Reynolds Drive. Turn right on Cahill at the stoplight; you will see the parking garage and Dunkin Donuts on your left. Follow Cahill until you see the Burevitch Lab straight ahead. Parking spots will be coned off for media guests.

Media Contacts:
Andrea Weaver, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.962.7631 or weavera@uncw.edu

William Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.962.2654 or davisw@uncw.edu