Late Pleistocene Fauna and Extinction

Description

Dr. David Penney, PhD, will share his knowledge, theories, and research on the subject of the diverse animal life that existed in the Great Lakes Region during the Pleistocene Era. He will explore the lifestyles of the Paleo-Indians that also inhabited this area and how they survived with rudimentary tools against such daunting super-predators as Smilodon and Dire Wolves. He will also cover the habitat and topographical changes that took place with the melting of the glaciers; how the Great Lakes were formed and changes from an herbal landscape to grasslands and forests. From climate change, to astronomical events, to humans, Dr. Penney gives his theories on what may have caused the mass extinction of over 70 species of fauna that once populated the Great Lakes region. Dr. Penney earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Wayne State University and Masters from the University of California. He is a former full professor of physiology at the School of Medicine and adjunct professor of occupational and environmental health at the School of allied Health Professionals at Wayne State University, as well as Director of General Surgical Research at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. As a young child, his interest in science began with astronomy. Because of his lifelong passion, he is a member of Grand Traverse Astronomical Society .in Michigan. Dr. Penny enjoys sharing his knowledge with school groups, science clubs, societies, and library groups.