Diatoms of North AmericaDiatom Web Academy Spring Schedule 2026
We offer a series of live, online seminars. Join us and be part of the discussion! If you are not able to attend the live series, tune into the recordings. The recorded series (since 2020) offer a broad range to topics to enrich your diatomaceous understanding.
You are invited to join us, wherever you may be, from anywhere around the world.
UPCOMING SEMINARS
February 24
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Shelly Smith, Studio Cornix
Living Opals: Diatoms in Art and Scientific History
Description: Diatoms have fascinated scientists and artists alike since they were first identified. Prior to clear microscopic photography techniques, detailed drawings were made from live observation to describe diatoms to the world. Since illustration was necessary for identification and categorization, many early scientists left an incredible artistic legacy in addition to their scientific work. In this talk, we’ll explore early diatom collecting in the Western United States through a historical and artistic frame. We’ll learn how these beautiful beings were collected, how a network of scientific sharing grew around the globe, and how these early diatomists left an important artistic record we can still learn from and be inspired by today. We will also view artwork inspired by these historical collections.
Target Audience: Anyone who loves scientific art, admires diatoms for their incredible beauty, is interested in historical scientific expeditions, and is curious about how we built our early knowledge of microbes.
March 11
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Martyn Kelly, Bowburn Consultancy
Walking with diatoms
March 24
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Elena Jovanoska, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Germany
Evolution and diversity of diatoms in African lakes
April 7
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Sarah Spaulding, University of Colorado
Diatoms.org : the next generation
April 21
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Regina Radan
Marine harmful algal booms (HABS): Pseudonitzschia
May 5
17:00 UTC; 10 AM (mountain, US and Canada)
Cori Gibble, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Marine harmful algal booms (HABS): Domoic acid and birds
