The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Science on Tap lecture to highlight the immune system

    The university welcomes another speaker to educate students at the Science on Tap lecture.

    On Tuesday February 2 at 7:00 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana Biologist Penny Shockett will be discussing the human immune system. Her presentation is called “Why Immunity and Pathogens Are Our Frienemies” and is intended to show students how the immune system does more than just fight infections and prevent diseases. The immune system can cause negative effects when fighting diseases, which can cause our body’s health to be at risk.

    “The talk is about how our immune system helps us, but also can hurt us, and how microorganisms can hurt us, but also help us,” said Shockett. “The immune response involves a complex system of cells and molecules that protect us against foreign substances, and when it’s working, it keeps us healthy. But, our health can also be negatively affected by immune responses in certain disease states. Microbes that interact with the immune system can also influence our immunity. The talk will explore these interactions.”

    Shockett explains that the immune system interacts with more than one biological system and can cause many different diseases. 

    According to scientific research, microbes are incorporated in many positive roles within the body and will majorily influence development of the immune system. The lecture will describe the mechanisms the immune system creates to clear pathogens.

    “People may hear a variety of ways in which to boost their immune system, but for some it does not always work. Going to the gym, eating right or taking things like Airborne and Emergen-C is not always enough to keep a stable, healthy immune system. She hopes the presentation will help students better understand the immune system, disease and how microbes respond and influence immunity.

    “We hear all the time about different things that we can do to boost our immunity and health, whether by diet, exercise, probiotics, et cetera,” said Shockett. “For some, the immune response is a black box. Hopefully, the talk will help students, or anyone, understand better some of the basic immune mechanisms involved in health and disease, and how microbes respond to and influence immunity.”

    According to Professor Brian Crother, students will find this lecture relatable and it will be a chance to see their professors outside the classroom.

    “They are curious about themselves and want to learn,” said Crother. “It’s impossible for the subject to not be relatable to any human. It also gives them a chance to see professors in an informal setting talking about subjects they love.”

    The Science on Tap lecture will be held at Tope La Catering, 113 East Thomas Street in Hammond. The lecture is free and all ages are welcome to attend. For more information on future Science on Tap events, contact the Department of Biological Sciences at 985-549-3740.

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