Date: 10/15/25 8:41 am From: Matias Comina <matiasdcomina...> Subject: [cobirds] Boulder Audubon Presents: Dr. Valerie McKenzie on Microbes and Wildlife in a Rapidly Changing World
*Microbes and Wildlife in a Rapidly Changing World: From Colorado Boreal
Toads to African Grey Parrots*
đź“… *Tuesday, October 28, 2025*
🕖 *7:15 PM – 8:45 PM* (Doors open 7:00 PM)
đź“Ť *Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder*
5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder CO 80303
đź’» *Also available via Zoom* (link posted day of program here:
https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events/october-2025-program)
*Program Description*
Microbes play a powerful role in the health of wildlife—from beneficial
partners to harmful pathogens. At CU Boulder’s McKenzie Lab, Dr. Valerie
McKenzie and her team study how these microscopic organisms shape animal
lives and ecosystems.
In this talk, Valerie will explore why emerging pathogens are increasing
and how they threaten wildlife worldwide, including Colorado’s amphibians.
She’ll focus on a fungal disease driving global amphibian declines, and
share how her lab’s research on the skin microbiome of Colorado boreal
toads is uncovering bacteria that can naturally protect toads from
infection.
Dr. McKenzie will also introduce a new project using microbes to combat
wildlife trafficking, showcasing how microbiology and conservation
intersect in surprising and hopeful ways.
*About the Speaker*
Dr. Valerie McKenzie is a Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
(EBIO) at CU Boulder. Her research blends parasitology, disease ecology,
microbial ecology, and wildlife conservation to understand how human
impacts shape the microbes, parasites, and pathogens of wildlife.
Her studies help identify the factors behind disease emergence and inform
efforts to protect vulnerable species. She also teaches parasitology,
conservation biology, and host–microbe interactions, and serves as
Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for EBIO.
Valerie has published over 60 scientific papers and received CU Boulder’s
2024 awards for leadership and graduate mentoring. To learn move visit the
lab website https://mckenzielab.com/
*Event Details*
- In Person: Doors open at 7 PM for socializing; program begins at 7:15
PM. Masks are optional but encouraged (free surgical masks available).
- Online: Zoom room opens at 7:10 PM; program begins at 7:15 PM.
Questions taken via chat.
- Access Info: Zoom link posted on the Boulder Audubon website under
programs by the day of the program.
https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events/october-2025-program
Matias Comina, Boulder County
Boulder County Audubon Board Member
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