Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership : Scientists and Reindeer Visit Gannon University to Highlight the Effects of Climate Change

Jan 24, 2017| Posted in Investor News, News

Erie, Pa. - Gannon University hosted presentations by two scientists on their research into the effects of
climate change on Alaskan reindeer populations. Gregory L. Finstad, Ph.D. and Sophia Papageorgiou,
D.V.M., M.P.V.M.,Ph.D., presented their findings to Gannon University's faculty and students on Monday,
January 23 and discussed possible collaborations and research initiatives.

Warmer weather in the Arctic has prevented from accessing food sources while commercial reindeer herds
in the lower 48 states are affected by pathogens, often transmitted by insects that that may migrate
northward as the climate warms and threaten Arctic herds.

The visit to campus of Finstad and Papageorgiou, arranged by Gannon's biology department, comes during
an academic year that has witnessed a broad discussion of environmental issues, including a yearlong
series of speakers and presentations with the theme Culture and Climate Change.
'Along with the establishment of the Donald M. and Judith C. Alstadt Environmental Center in Warren
County, and the ongoing Culture and Climate Change series, today's visit by these distinguished scientists
has energized students and faculty in the life sciences, environmental science and engineering-indeed, all
of us who are concerned about the state of the natural world-to redouble our commitment to stewardship,'
said Walter Iwanenko Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs.

About the Speakers:

Gregory L. Finstad, Ph.D.
Greg Finstad is a research associate professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' School of Natural
Resources and Extension. Finstad earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management and his
Ph.D. in range ecology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He is currently the manager of the
university's Reindeer Research Program, where for 35 years he has worked with producers in developing
and conducting applied research to enhance the reindeer industry in Alaska. Finstad has developed
reindeer curriculum from the kindergarten to post-graduate level and was the lead in developing a reindeer
husbandry and management certificate.

Sophia Papageorgiou, D.V.M., M.P.V.M.,Ph.D.
Sophia Papageorgiou earned her bachelor's degree in animal science and zoology from the University of
California Davis and is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in
wildlife and international conservation medicine. She has worked with a spectrum of wildlife species
including large carnivores, elephants, mesocarnivores, rodents and numerous avian and reptile species. A
field investigation on African elephants ignited her passion to work as an international field researcher and
to earn her doctorate in epidemiology at the University of California Davis. She has conducted international
field research on tick-borne pathogens in a population of Mongolian reindeer and worked as a postdoctorate
at the Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance & Global Health Institute, at the
University of California Davis.

About Gannon University:
Gannon University is a Catholic, diocesan university with campuses in Erie, Pa. and Ruskin, Fla. offering
online and traditional associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs to more than 4,000
academically talented and diverse students.
Gannon University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Inspired by the Catholic
Intellectual Tradition, the University offers a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that
emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.