CANADIAN SCIENTIST TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT HAZARDS OF PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONING

Monica Bricelj, a Canadian scientist known internationally for her research involving clams and the human health hazard of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), will speak in a seminar sponsored by Old Dominion University's Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography at Innovation Research Park @ ODU, Monday, Sept. 17, at 3:30 p.m.

The speaker, who is affiliated with the Canadian National Research Council, Institute for Marine Biosciences in Halifax, will present results from her recent studies, including work published in the journal Nature, about resistance in clams to PSP. The resistance allows some clams to accumulate the toxins as they feed on toxic dinoflagellates. Shellfish harvesting bans ordered because of PSP poisoning of humans cause severe economic losses worldwide.

The public is invited to the free seminar, which will be in Room 3200 of the research park building on the east side of Hampton Boulevard. Refreshments will be served beginning 30 minutes before Bricelj's lecture.