Science In Our Valley
Scientists and science educators in the Wenatchee Valley have been gathering for the past few years for weekly seminars to catalyze the development of an engaged regional scientific community.
Each series features the research of local scientists and invited guest speakers.
Thank you, Our Valley Our Future!
Incredible research in our own backyard.
The Science in Our Valley seminar series began in October 2017 as a way for local scientists and science educators to bring their research to the community and as a way to engage and connect with one another. The series features presentations by local scientists and science educators as well as guests from outside the region.
The seminar presentations are intended for a ‘science-based’ audience, including researchers, postdoctoral scientists, K-12 educators, graduate students, undergraduate scientists, and science enthusiasts.
Fall 2024 Series
October 2024 - November 2024
Events are free and open to the public -
no registration required!
Wednesdays from 4:00pm - 5:00pm
WSU Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center
1100 N Western Ave, Wenatchee WA 98801
New this year! Each seminar will be live-streamed via Zoom. If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to join us via Zoom. View this guide to Zoom for help
Meeting ID: 954 4452 3314
Partners for the seminar series include: Apple STEM Network, North Central Educational Service District, U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Station, WSU Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, and Wenatchee Valley College.
The Science In Our Valley seminar series are possible thanks to support from Our Valley Our Future funding.
Educators: Clock Hours are available for attending Science In Our Valley seminars.
Scroll down for more details
Wednesday, October 2 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension Center
Livestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Northwest Evaluating Clark's Nutcracker
Relative Diet Variation
Presented by Jasmine Ruiz, Science Faculty, Wenatchee Valley College
An assessment of Clark's nutcracker relative diet as it spans over years, seasons, and locations. Relative diet analysis preformed through carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 stable isotopes. The Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) is in a mutualistic relationship with its obligatory partner, whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a keystone species currently declining due to infection by white pine blister rust, attacks from mountain pine beetles, a changing fire regime, and climate change. Clark’s nutcrackers are the primary seed dispersers for whitebark pine, as such, it is critical to understand their diet, movement, and caching behavior to support whitebark pine management and stability. Nutcrackers forage on and cache whitebark pine seeds, along with those of multiple other conifers, which are a critical food source during the winter season.
Wednesday, October 9 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension Center
Livestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Classical Biological Control - An Overview
Presented by Robert Czokajlo, MS Student, Washington State University
In the modern fruit industry, insect pest management has involved heavy use of pesticides across many species. These uses often present themselves as cover-sprays- at least one individual driving between orchard rows, in full protective clothing, and spraying large quantities across the orchard area.
Recently, the detrimental effects (environmental harm, effect on non-target species and on humans) of certain insecticides, including the once-praised "miracle cure" DDT, have come to light. Despite this, insecticides remain an industry standard.
Wednesday, October 16 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension CenterLivestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Agronomic Strategies to Address
Biennial Bearing in Apple Trees
Presented byThiago Campbell, Ph.D candidate, Washington State University
Biennial bearing in tree fruit can be problematic, and these patterns are not unique to tree fruit and occur in natural species. Masting, or the abundant production of seeds in some years, can also be observed in natural tree species. Despite extensive research, biennial bearing still affects commercial orchard production. Biennial bearing cycles are costly, with inconsistent yields and fruit quality occurring yearly. Crop load management is one commonly used management strategy to control biennial bearing. However, trees can continue a biennial cycle the year following adequate crop thinning. We evaluated six different agronomic strategies to combat biennial bearing in apple trees: two for low-cropping trees (“off” year) and four for high-cropping trees (“on” year).
EVENT CANCELLED! Stay tuned for updates.
Wednesday, October 23 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension CenterLivestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Wild, West, Wireless: Changing rural teenage girls’ eating behaviors through mobile phones
Presented by Dr. Grace Elisabeth Shearrer, University of Wyoming
Mobile phone applications (apps) are an attractive intervention method to reach rural adolescents. We have adapted Dr. Hedy Kober’s regulation of craving training (ROC-T) intervention into a value aligned mobile phone app for rural teenage girls to improve consumption of fruits and vegetables. Rural populations have a 16% higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to their suburban and urban counterparts. Improving diet, particularly increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, is a protective factor against developing T2D. Craving unhealthy food is a noted barrier to healthy eating in adolescents. Personalized interventions, such as the ROC-T, can reducing cravings. An effective approach to engage with adolescents is to use a value aligned intervention to relate food choice to values adolescents’ care about and build personal autonomy. The mobile regulation of craving training (mROC-Teens) combines the existing ROC-T intervention with value aligned messaging in an app to reach and engage with rural girls. In addition to the app, we have designed a mobile health lab from a recreational vehicle (RV) trailer to perform baseline and follow up diabetes testing using point of care hemoglobin A1c and glucose testing.
Wednesday, October 30 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension CenterLivestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Glacial Landforms of the Waterville Plateau: New Discoveries
Presented by Dr. Ralph Dawes, Geology Faculty, Wenatchee Valley College
Glaciotectonics describes how moving glacial ice excavates slabs of underlying earth and piles the slabs into hills which can be hundreds of feet high. Ralph has determined that there are many glaciotectonic landforms on the northern Waterville Plateau. Many of the named hills and lakes in the area are glaciotectonic in origin. This new interpretation may add insight to the question of whether the giant floods that eroded Moses Coulee came from a glacially dammed lake east of Spokane (glacial Lake Missoula) or came from a reservoir of water trapped beneath the ice in the Okanogan Valley, directly north of the Waterville Plateau. Ralph's talk will show the glaciotectonic landforms, explain their origin, and discuss what the landforms imply for the glacial history of the area.
Wednesday, November 6 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Attend In-Person: WSU Tree Fruit Research + Extension CenterLivestream via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom
Natural Enemies of X-Disease Vectors
Presented by César Alejandro Reyes Corral, Entomology PhD Candidate, Washington State University
Increasing global trade and climate change make it easier for harmful pests to spread, putting agriculture at risk. One such threat in Washington State is the re-emergence of X-disease, which is particularly dangerous to the Pacific Northwest’s tree fruit industry. This disease, carried by tiny insects called leafhoppers, causes cherry trees to produce small, bitter, and misshapen fruit, making them unsellable. Farmers currently rely on controlling these leafhoppers with pesticides and removing infected trees, but these methods come at a huge economic and environmental cost. The heavy use of pesticides, especially after the fruit is harvested, harms the environment and could weaken the health of farming ecosystems in the long run. This has created an urgent need for more sustainable pest management approaches. We’ve developed a new tool that can quickly identify the presence of the leafhoppers, the X-disease pathogen, and two potential pest-fighting insects—a big-headed fly and a pincer wasp—all in one test. This innovative approach combines modern molecular technology with traditional pest control methods, offering a more effective and eco-friendly solution.
Science in Our Valley is a collaborative effort with support from Apple STEM Network, Washington State University Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Station, Wenatchee Valley College, the North Central Educational Service District and the Our Valley Our Future Bridge Research and Innovation District.