BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | April 28, 2017

Dear all,

Great to see a good turnout from biology at the March for Science last weekend – lots of pictures below! I look forward to seeing everyone at next week’s department meeting – come along at 12.30 for lunch to catch up with friends and colleagues before the meeting.

cheerio,

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 1st – 5th May

Tues 2nd: Department meeting; 12.30pm lunch followed by the meeting at 1pm ; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 3rd: Weekly Seminar – Associate Professor Tim Parker, Whitman College, Washington; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 3rd: Research Enrichment Program – Bookclub: “How to get a PhD: a handbook for students and their supervisors,” Ch 9-12; 4pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 4th: Writing Workshop; 2:30 – 4:30pm, E8B-215.

Thu 4th: HDR Completion Seminar – Yanan Sun; 4pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room) – followed by drinks.

Following week 8th – 12th May

Wed 10th: Morning Tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11am; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 10th: Weekly Seminar – Associate Professor Eddie Holmes, The University of Sydney; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 4th: Writing Workshop; 2:30-4:30pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Coming up

Every Thursday for the next few months: Writing Workshop; 2:30-4:00pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

June 13 – 15th: HDR Conference; Timetable TBA; E7B Lecture Theatres.

Department seminar schedule

May 17th:  Associate Professor Vanessa Hayes, The University of Sydney and The Garvan Institute; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

May 24th:  Professor Mike Archer, The University of NSW, PANGEA Research Centre & CREATE School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

May 31st:  Professor Michael Romero, Tufts University; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

June 7th:  Dr Ceridwen Fraser, ANU; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

June 14th:  Dr Caragh Threlfall, The University of Melbourne; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

June 21st:  Professor Bill Ballard, The University of NSW; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

June 28th:  Professor Madeleine Beekman, The University of Sydney; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

General News and Announcements

March for Science

Macquarie had a good turnout for the March for Science in Sydney City on weekend.

Comment from Twitter: “The numbers for the Science March seem high, but we won’t know until we compare the numbers at the Placebo March that is also happening. I honestly feel bad for the people on the Placebo March that thought the were at the Science March, but double blind testing is important!” – Siobhan Thompson.

March for Science and STA Open Letter

There was a big turnout in Sydney and around the world for the Earth Day March for Science. You can find the Open Letter for Science here (https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/open-letter-for-science/) and news coverage here http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-22/march-for-science-australians-join-worldwide-movement/8463800

DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR SERIES

Day/Date/Time/Place: Wednesday, 3rd May, 1-2pm, E8A-280 (Tea Room)

Speaker: Associate Professor Tim Parker, Whitman College, Washington.

Title: Insufficient transparency in ecology, evolution, and beyond: problems and solutions.

Abstracts: Effective scientific progress requires that researchers report what they find and how they found it. This is not a controversial idea, but when it comes to actual practice, in many disciplines we fall far short of the level of transparency needed to avoid major bias. In this talk I will review evidence from ecology and evolutionary biology that insufficient transparency is widespread and that this insufficient transparency is driving substantial bias in much of the published literature. I will also discuss some of the characteristics that expose disciplines to higher rates of bias. This elevated rate of bias means that many published conclusions are unreliable and rather than contributing to scientific progress, are hindering progress by leading other researchers (and their research funding) down blind alleys. Fortunately there is growing recognition of these problems, as well as a host of ideas for reducing bias. Individual researchers can take important steps to reduce bias in their own work, but journals, funding bodies, and universities are particularly well-positioned to promote transparency and reduce bias.

Superstars of STEM Launched

The Superstars of STEM program is seeking women with PhDs who are working in STEM and who are willing to be trained and mentored for a year (and beyond) as science communicators (social media and in person) to influence science debate in Australia. They are looking for 30 women at various career stages, geographical and discipline mix.

This is not an insignificant workload but it would be a great experience. The Faculty Women in STEM committee would like to know who is interested in applying and may be able to review their applications to give suggestions. First stage application is written and fairly short. Second stage application is a short video. Please contact Judith Dawes if you are interested in applying. The program details are here http://mailchi.mp/97e6c9bf8ac2/superstars-of-stem-launches-today-help-us-spread-the-word?e=b284bdab93

Grants Available for Ecological Research – Closing Soon!

The Jill Landsberg Trust Fund Scholarship for postgrad research – APPLY NOW (https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/students/awards-and-grants/jill-landsberg)
Australian Ecology Research Award for mid-career researchers – APPLY NOW (https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/research/aera)

Macquarie Research Fellowships Scheme

Looking for talented research scientists to join the department! If you are one, or know of one that you would like to work with, please consider the MQ Research Fellowships (MQRF) scheme which is now open for Expressions of Interest. The EoI funding rules and application form are now available at 2018 MQRF EoI. (http://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-opportunities-at-macquarie/funding-fellowships-and-partnerships/internal_funding/mq-research-fellowships)

In the first instance, applicants should forward their full CV to the Faculty Research Office at <sci.research@mq.edu.au> for assessment by the Department, as early as possible. If their candidature is supported by the Department and they have a sponsor, they will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest.

• Faculty closing date for compliance checking of complete draft applications: 10 May 2017
• Research Office closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest: 24 May 2017.

Department Knitting Group

Come and join the fun of knitting for the charity Wrap With Love

Where: E8A Tearoom & W19F Foyer

When: Wednesdays 10:30 (department morning teas)

How: Instructions here and will be available with the knitting.

Knitting yarn will be supplied in the E8A Tearoom and the W19F foyer.

Some knitting needles will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them.

One-off Tutoring Opportunity, 7th June: Molecular Biology/Genetics

Dear tutoring types: We have need of a tutor to help with a school visit coming up. If you are available on the 7th of June, and comfortable tutoring/demonstrating in DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis, then please contact <julian.may@mq.edu.au>, with a brief description of your teaching experience (BIOL115 or 206 ideal) and what times on the 7th you would be available.

Outreach

Do you have any outreach activities coming up or recently completed? DON’T FORGET to let us know via the outreach form – (an average of 1min 46sec to fill in but worth so much more in terms of brownie points for the department) – ACCESS OUTREACH FORM HERE

Terrestrial Fieldwork Coverage (3 weeks)

From 19th April – 11th May, Sarah Collison will not be at work and terrestrial fieldwork approvals will be done by another member of the fieldwork management team. Please ensure during this period that you give more than 3 days notice for fieldwork. Also during this period no fieldwork inductions or planning meetings for new fieldwork will take place. Only ongoing Trip approvals will be happening just for these two weeks.

Thank you for your understanding

Do You Want Help to Improve Your Writing? 

Ken Cheng and Jennifer Hallinan run weekly writing workshops, Thursdays 2:30-4:30pm E8B-215.

These writing workshops are meant for HDR students and early-career researchers. Writing at any stage of any genre is welcome in these face-to-face encounters, from first draft to final polish, from empirical paper to literature review to popular news story. The sessions will involve personal feedback linked with rounds of revisions on selected passages, but will vary depending on the needs of participants. The aim is not just to get stuff written, but to write everything well.

Those interested in attending a session should email both Ken Cheng <ken.cheng@mq.edu.au> and Jennifer Hallinan <jennifer.hallinan@mq.edu.au> by Wednesday 12:00, preferably with a draft attached of what they are working on and some indication of what they especially need help with.

Plant of the Week

For this week, Podocarpus elatus – Plum or Brown Pine – a conifer from rainforests of eastern Australia that doesn’t produce seeds in cones, rather single seeds with swollen fleshy, plum-like stalks.

Want to Find Out How to Get Published in The Conversation?

The Faculty of Human Sciences will be hosting Sunanda Creagh, an editor on The Conversation, to come and speak about how academics can use platforms such as The Conversation to bring their work to a much larger audience than would otherwise be possible.

Date: Tuesday 2 May

Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm

Location: Manly Room, Building C5C, Level 4

Social media is becoming increasingly important in making the work of academic researchers known more broadly than the narrow readership of academic journals and other academic channels, although not as a replacement. In a time-poor environment even academics want to understand the crux of a piece of work quickly without having to read an entire journal article and often will not do so unless the title catches their attention. Hence an increasing number of academic researchers are using social media platforms, along with blogs to make their work known to other researchers as well as policy makers, advocacy groups and the public. The trial of impact and engagement being conducted this year with a full rollout across all academic disciplines alongside ERA in 2018 highlights the importance that government, and hence funding agencies, place on academic research making a positive contribution outside of the academic realm.

Sunanda Creagh is an award-winning journalist and The Conversation’s Digital Storytelling Editor. She works with The Conversation’s editors and contributing academics to find fresh ways to tell evidence-based stories – through charts, video, audio, interactive time-lines or data visualisations. Previously, Sunanda has been The Conversation’s FactCheck Editor, News Editor and Arts + Culture deputy editor. She began her career at The Sydney Morning Herald and worked at the Reuters bureau in Jakarta as a political correspondent before joining The Conversation in 2011.

No RSVP is required.

New PhD Student: Iván Beltrán – make him feel welcome!

I am a Colombian PhD student at the Lizard Lab, up the hill in the Fauna Park. My research interests are in physiology and behaviour of herps, specially lizards.

I will be working with skinks and the buffer effect of maternal behaviour in a climate change scenario. We will evaluate the effect of incubation temperature on the behaviour, morphology and brain anatomy of offspring of lizards with different modes of reproduction.

Visit LizardLab for more information! http://whitinglab.com/

Data Visualization Masterclass: Principles, Tools and Storytelling – an Event Hosted by the CSIRO

When: 13 June 2017, 9am to 5pm

Where: Charles Perkins Centre Auditorium, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW.

Cost: From $450

Register Now!

Do you work with large, complex datasets? Data visualisation can help. Using principles of human visual perception with modern methods and tools, you can create insightful visual representations of complex data, as well as compelling visualisations for communication.

However, there are few opportunities to receive training in these newly emerging visualisation techniques. For this reason, The University of Sydney, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, CSIRO’s Data61, and Vivid Sydney are excited to announce the Data Visualisation Masterclass, a one-day tour of state-of-the-art methods, taught by internationally acknowledged experts in data visualisation.

The masterclass will teach you principles and practices for turning data into insightful visualisations that tell compelling stories. The class is for anyone working with data, including communicators, scientists, programmers, designers, and visual artists.

The key themes of the masterclass include:

• Visual perception principles – dos and don’ts
• Key data visualisation methods and tools – a practical guide
• Using visualisation and animation for storytelling

It is recommended to bring your own laptop (no specific software required) – each seat has power and a table.

More on this event.

Biennial Bushfire Conference

On 30-31 May 2017 the Nature Conservation Council of NSW is holding its Biennial Bushfire Conference – Fire, Fauna & Ferals: from backyards to bush. The draft program is now available on our website – www.nature.org.au

NCCBushfireConference Uni Flyer

Open Letter to the WHO

As a new Director-General is elected at the World Health Organization this year, we are writing an open letter to the candidates to encourage them to prioritize reducing the factory farming of animals. Our primary arguments focus on factory farming’s contribution to antibiotic resistance, climate change, and the rise of obesity and non-communicable diseases.

Would you be interested in signing the open letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gXf9smyaYW1ikFeY_Qwt9itXg0ab_nEgtAs9feIYQPk/edit? If so, feel free to email back or sign the survey here: https://docs.google.com/a/mq.edu.au/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFr2h8yGXzh3yGROUtxSl1f-XDWvnjQt89peUIK4iPt7rBfw/viewform?c=0&w=1. We also appreciate any critical feedback and comments.

Some of the more notable signatures that we’ve received so far are Noam Chomsky, Peter Singer, and Mark Bittman.

Accommodation Needed ASAP for 2 People, 2 Months

If you think you can help, please contact: <kiara.lherpiniere@students.mq.edu.au>

“We are a English/French couple who work passionately on bird behaviour. Our main pass time is bush walking, bird watching, avoiding big crowds, eating and snoozing in front of David Attenborough. We are friendly but will keep to ourselves as much as needed. We are looking for a short term place for 2 months (asap), leaving on the 3rd of July.

We love pets, but heavy smoking and very young children are not so much on our tick list.

Thanks for any help in advance, Kiara.”

Film Festival!

If you or anyone you know are interested in going to the Banff Mountain Film Festival this year…

Jacqui Delahunt has 2 adult tickets for the Saturday 6th May showing at the Seymour Theatre, Chippendale (Starting at 7pm).

She’s devastated that she can’t go anymore, but is hoping to sell her tickets for the Saturday night and go on another night instead.

The full price of the tickets was $69.00 for both, plus $4.50 booking fee, but she is happy to sell them for $60.00

Please email me <jacqui.delahunt@mq.edu.au> if you are interested!

Check out the trailer… it’s going to be awe inspiring!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1teF2S174M”

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