Desert Survivors

UNLV Television Show Depicts Southern Nevada's Desert Animals and Plants

"Desert Survivors" is a science education television show designed to promote scientific literacy in the local elementary schools of Southern Nevada. Each episode, shown on UNLV-TV on Cox Cable, Channels 70 and 71, spotlights a "survivor" native to the Mojave Desert and features an expert on that organism. During the show, the expert answers questions poised by local elementary school children.

Funding
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation as part of a prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Award presented to Frank van Breukelen Ph.D. for $745,000 to support a project, entitled "Protein Metabolism During Mammalian Hibernation." The proposed research will further elucidate our understanding of how hibernators depress basic biochemical pathways used to maintain cellular integrity and how these animals are able to withstand this phenomenon. A better understanding of hibernation may have profound implications for designing therapies for cardiac dysfunction, muscle disuse atrophy, and kidney failure. In addition to the outreach efforts of Desert Survivors, education at both undergraduate and graduate levels will be an integral part of this project.

Collaborators
The shows are designed and hosted by graduate students Candice Rausch and Jennifer Utz. Other vital collaborators include UNLV-TV, the Clark County School District, and all guests of the show. Upon completion of the series, there will be 12 episodes.

For more information visit the Desert Survivors site.

The first four programs are currently airing on UNLV-TV and their subjects are:

Episode 1: Red-Spotted Toads Just what is a desert anyway? We answer this question and explore the life of one of our native amphibians, the red-spotted toad with Dr. Frank van Breukelen as our guide.

Episode 2: Hot Springs Microbes
Who knew Nevada was covered in hot springs? Dr. Brian Hedlund did, and he discusses microbial communities in these extreme habitats.

Episode 3: Zooplankton of Temporary Ponds
What happens when it rains in Nevada? Dr. Peter Starkweather tells us about the temporary ponds that form and the invertebrate life that fills them, seemingly from nowhere.

Episode 4: Desert Pupfish
Desert Survivors in court? James Deacon, Ph.D. and Nancy Hadlock help us explore the fascinating world of the desert pupfish and their appearance in the Supreme Court.