* Feb. 11, 11 a.m. — We’ve heard a lot lately about new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that may be more infectious and spread more easily. What are these variants? Where do they come from? How concerned should we be, and what can be done about them? 

Join us Feb. 11 to discuss these and other questions with two UC Davis experts on viral genetics and the pandemic. 

• Bart Weimer is professor of population health and reproduction in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. His research focus is on the population genomics of disease-causing organisms. Since the early days of the pandemic, his lab has been looking at gene sequences from coronaviruses isolated around the world. 
• Dr. Dean Blumberg is professor of pediatrics and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Health. His interests are in preventing and treating childhood infections, vaccine research and childhood immunization policies.

The conversation, hosted by Soterios Johnson, will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11.  

Questions can be submitted via Facebook and Twitter either in advance or during the show.