Dessert with Discussion: A day in the life of a seed

What to expect

Dessert with Discussion is a free lecture series that connects the KBS and MSU research community with our local community.

The Fall 2025 speaker is Dr. Lauren Sullivan, an assistant professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Plant Biology and at the Kellogg Biological Station.

Dr. Sullivan studies plant ecology, which means she looks at how the environment, like weather and animals, affects what plants grow in different places. She is especially interested in seed dispersal, focusing on how seeds that arrive in new areas affect which plant species can grow there. Dr. Sullivan collaborates on global grassland research projects where scientists from around the world conduct the same experiments and share data to learn about what shapes grassland communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading and would love any fiction book recommendations.

Talk title:  A day in the life of a seed

Dr. Lauren Sullivan will share:

• What is seed dispersal and how do we measure it?
• How seed dispersal changes across different grassland environments.
• What seeds are being consumed in grasslands and how might this alter the plants we see?

The talk will be held in person at the KBS Academic Building’s auditorium, and also will be streamed via Zoom.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Information

• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
• Audience: Adults
• Free; registration is required

Register here today to secure your seat!

This series is made possible through generous donations to the Dessert with Discussion Fund.

Questions? Please call (269) 671-2015 or email communityrelations@kbs.msu.edu.