February 23 • Bruce Means
Diamonds in the Rough: Natural History of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Bruce Means is a biologist at Tallahassee’s own Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy and leading authority on the natural history of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. He has published 10 books and 280 scientific research papers, contract reports, and popular articles in Natural History, National Geographic, International Wildlife, National Wildlife, BBC Wildlife, South American Explorer and other natural history magazines. Presenter in numerous documentary films for National Geographic Explorer, BBC Television, and PBS, he celebrates North America’s iconic eastern diamondback rattlesnake in the most exhaustive study of any single snake in the world.
March 23 • Gail Skofronick-Jackson
Let it Rain and Snow: Global Precipitation Measurement for Science and Society
Gail Skofronick-Jackson is the NASA Project Scientist for the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite that allows for rain and snow estimates every 30 minutes. Knowing where, when and how precipitation falls is crucial for understanding the linkages between the Earth’s water and energy cycles and is vital for monitoring precipitation induced hazards such as floods, landslides, and hurricanes. Dr. Skofronick-Jackson has devoted more than 25 years to precipitation science with a focus on falling snow investigations.
April 27 • Jeffrey Shanks
Middens, Mounds, and Mortuary Cults: The Archaeology of the Byrd Hammock Site
Jeffrey Shanks is an archaeologist with the National Park Service and field director for the recent archaeological excavations at the Byrd Hammock Site in Wakulla County. Jeffrey is an expert on the Woodland Period archaeology of North Florida and has authored and co-authored a number of articles and papers on the subject, including a chapter in the recent book New Histories of Pre-Columbian Florida. Jeffrey and his colleagues were awarded the 2016 Outstanding Achievement in Archaeology from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation for their work at the Byrd Hammock Site, a prehistoric complex of burial mounds and villages that were in use from ca. AD 400 to 900 and occupied by the people from the Swift Creek and Weeden Island cultures. Jeffrey will speak about the history of Byrd Hammock and related sites and on the results of the recent excavations which are beginning to shed new light on the lifeways and ceremonial practices of these ancient people.
Challenger Learning Center – 200 South Duval Street, Kleman Plaza
May 17 • Don Chambers
Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Dr. Don Chambers is an Associate Professor of Marine Science at the University of South Florida who specializes in using satellite observations such as radar altimetry and satellite gravimetry to better understand ocean dynamics. His primary research focus is quantifying and understanding sea level variability, especially trying to separate natural climate variability from anthropogenic climate change. He studies all the dynamical processes that cause sea level change, including ocean circulation, ocean heat storage, ocean mass redistribution, and influx of fresh water from the continents and ice sheets.
Dr. Chambers was a Lead Author on the last climate assessment by the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and is a co-author of the recently published book: “Sea Level Rise in Florida: Science, Impacts, and Options.”
Challenger Learning Center – 200 South Duval Street, Kleman Plaza
To view an outline of past Horizons events, click here
The Tallahassee Scientific Society announces the award of their 2019 Gold Medal to Dr. Laura Greene, Chief Scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The Society’s Gold Medal, established in 2004, is bestowed annually on a scientist or scholar selected from the Tallahassee community whose career achievements in science or mathematics, and contributions to science education and outreach, are deemed exemplary.
Mabry specializes in earth science and promoting scientific literacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from FSU, with her research at the MagLab, while serving as a NSF GK12 Fellow, working in public school classrooms. Mabry has also enjoyed working at the Florida Geological Survey, the Florida Center for STEM at FSU, and teaching earth science for seven years at TCC.
Yvonne worked in the Public Health Laboratory in Jacksonville and then as Bureau Chief in the Food Safety Laboratory at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. After retirement from the State of Florida, a move to Denver, she is now back to Tallahassee. Yvonne works with the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Association of Food and Drug Officials. She has a BS Biology from FSU and MS Community Health from UNF.
Tangy is a cardiac physiologist and Instructor in the sciences at Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. One of her life goals is to offer an academic advantage to Middle and High Schoolers, and as a result she is the founder of the non-profit organization, Skolier Institute Summer Camp, Inc. She prides herself in mentoring, educating, and propelling scholars to higher levels. She enjoys reading and engaging outdoor activities with family.
Bill is a retired invertebrate biologist. He studied parasitology and genetics at the Florida State University, where his graduate studies focused on the genetics of digenetic trematodes. After graduating he spent 32 years as a marine fisheries manager with the state of Florida and federal fishery management councils. He has two grown children and has resided in Tallahassee since 1970. His interests include world history, paleontology, evolution, music, cycling, and kayaking.
Kerry brings a background of science teaching, training, research, and community outreach to the Board of Tallahassee Scientific Society. She presently teaches biology at Thomas University and serves on the Tallahassee Science Festival Board. In her professional career, she has worked to communicate complex concepts in science to a diverse range of students, from K-12 through seniors.
Chris earned a degree in Meteorology from FSU in 1995 and began teaching Physics, Physical, and Earth/Space Science at Godby High School, moving to Chiles High School in 2000. In 2008, Chris joined a team creating science assessments for Florida, then becoming the Mathematics and Science Coordinator while also overseeing the development of Florida’s state-wide Mathematics and Science assessments. Chris is the Instructional Certification Specialist for Leon County Schools and oversees the Beginning Teacher Program.
Tony is a Professor Emeritus of Computer Science from Southeast Missouri State University and retired Professor of Chemistry from Stephan F. Austin State University (TX). He is a physical / computational chemist who earned his B.S. in chemistry and mathematics from Marquette University and Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. 
George taught middle and high school in Louisville, Ky before becoming a faculty member in science education at FSU in 1967 where he retired with the rank of Professor Emeritus in 2001. His work, in addition to teaching, included curriculum development that evolved from print materials to multimedia. His projects have been used broadly in the US and internationally. 
Dana served for 30 years in the Florida Park Service, mostly as the state-wide chief biologist. Dana earned an MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from FSU. He is an authority on the limpkin, the snail-eating wading bird, about which he authored several scientific accounts. Dana has been active on boards and as an officer for Florida Audubon Society, Apalachee Audubon Society, Birdsong Nature Center, and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Association.
Carol, as a TSS board member is continuing her life-long interest in science and science education. After receiving her BS in Chemistry from Youngstown State University and MS from Florida State University in Science Education, She taught chemistry for 35 years, first at Godby High School and then Tallahassee Community College (TCC). At TCC, She also served as science program chair and was an active participant in TCC’s science student mentor program (STEM Stars).
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