BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | April 8, 2016

Dear all,

Thanks to all who came along to Tuesday’s department meeting – if you weren’t able to be there or want more detail then the presentation is here.

I’ll be on holidays next week cycling in northern Victoria – please see Sharyon for anything urgent.

cheerio

Michelle

Save the Date

This section will keep you informed of the events and meetings that are of specific interest within the Department.

This coming week 11th – 15th April

Tue 12th; Eppendorf Morning Tea; 10:30am – 11:30am; E8A-280 (tea room).

Wed 13th; Department Morning Tea; 10.30 – 11:00am; E8A-280 (tea room).

The following week 18th – 22nd April

Thu 21st; Genesearch Morning Tea; 10.30 – 11:00am; E8A-280 (tea room).

Coming up

Wed 15th – Fri 17th June; 2016 Annual HDR Conference; 9am onwards each day; Location TBA.

Aug 15th; Open Day

General News and Announcements

Success in British Council’s Fame Lab Science Communication Awards

Super excited that PhD student Dominic McAfee took out both the Audience Choice AND Runner’s Up prize on Thursday night in the Semi Finals of the British Council’s Fame Lab Science Communication Awards. Dom had 3 min to describe his research with the use of props, but no powerpoint. He now gets to represent NSW at the Australian Finals in Perth. The winner will then represent Australia in Cheltenham UK. Photo attached…lucky there were no more awards to win – he’s run out of hands! Congratulations Dom! – Mel Bishop.

Professional Staff grant scheme is open now

Find out more here: http://www.mq.edu.au/thisweek/2016/03/29/professional-staff-grants-and-postgraduate-scholarships-applications-now-open/#.VwNKX3o3u4E

Meet the FSE’s New Learning & Teaching Team

If you missed the introduction to the FSE’s new Learning and Teaching team at the Departmental Meeting on Tuesday, or wish to know more, please see the attachment which outlines the team bios, ideas, and contact details.

Please Note  – the fse-LT@mq.edu.au email address is currently being set up by Informatics (and therefore won’t be active until next week), so in the meantime if anyone has questions, please email Danny Liu directly  <danny.liu@mq.edu.au>.

fse-LT-team-intro

Academic Staff promotion round now open

If you are intending to apply for promotion in the coming round (due 1st June) please make a time for a chat with Michelle. The next round will be 1st October.

Link to the procedures which includes the due dates:

http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_promotion/procedure.html

Outside Studies Program

The OSP scheme opens on the 11th May 2016 and applications close Wednesday 22nd June 2016. Please have a chat with Michelle if you would like to apply for next year. There is an information session on Wednesday 18th May 12pm – 1.30pm, Senate Room, C8A 310.

Volunteer position for work on dingoes in central Kimberley (AWC sanctuary)

We will be conducting a field study in June and July 2016 (exact dates to be determined but most likely 11 June – 9 July ) on dingo behaviours and vocal communication. We are looking for a volunteer to help out with audio recordings and playback experiments. The position is unpaid, but travel costs (from Sydney), food and accommodation (camping) expenses are covered. If you are interested, please send a CV, a cover letter addressing the selection criteria listed below and the contact details of two references (letters of reference can be added), at <eloise.deaux@mq.edu.au>. Informal enquiries should be sent to the same address.

Applications review will start now and continue until the position is filled.

Thank you, Eloise

Essential selection criteria:

– Undergraduate studies in wildlife biology, animal behaviour, zoology or related field

– Be available for the whole fieldwork season

– Be physically fit as the work will involve spending long hours in the field (late/early at night)

– Be able to remain quiet and still for long periods of time

– Be able to work with little supervision and show initiative

– Be able to handle isolation, as we will be in a remote location with little to no connection (no internet or phone reception most times) and to live with basic amenities only.

– Bushwalking experience

– Full driver license

Desirable selection criteria:

– Experienced in using audio recording equipment/conducting animal studies

– 4WD driving and navigation skills

Plant of the Week – Salvia leucantha – Mexican Sage

Salvia leucantha – Mexican Sage – a popular garden shrub in North America planted to attract hummingbirds. In Australia, (together with many other species of Salvia), it is immensely popular with Eastern Spinebills, small honeyeaters with many characteristics similar to those of hummingbirds.

Eppendorf Morning Tea

Please find attached a flyer for the Eppendorf Morning Tea that is being held in the Tearoom on Tuesday the 12th April at 10-30am till 12 midday.

MaqUni_PCRWorkflow_12042016

Extracting sunbeams from cucumbers – how to design better data tables

Here is an interesting read on making the most of data tables: https://www.statslife.org.uk/science-technology/2719-extracting-sunbeams-from-cucumbers?platform=hootsuite

Upcoming Event – Climate Change Communication

The Sydney Environment Institute is hosting a free event at Sydney Uni on Wednesday April 13 on the changing public narrative and framing of the issue of ‘climate change’ by policymakers in Australia. PhD student Lisette Collins, who specialises in climate change adaptation policy at the local government level, and award-winning journalist Maria Taylor will be giving talks before a Q&A with the audience. Please spread the word to any of your interested colleagues and students.

Here are details about the event:

http://sydney.edu.au/environment-institute/events/the-small-changes-how-to-talk-about-climate-change-without-talking-about-climate-change/

Postdoc Position in Blue Carbon

The Aquatic Macrophyte Ecology Group are doing an inventory of BC stocks along the Andalusian coasts (seagrasses and saltmarshes). They have a position for a competent, enthusiastic, young postdoc for 3.5 years to take the lead (position description attached).

Postdoc position LIFE BLUE NATURA

Low Hanging Fruit

Someone took my fruit from my bag in the E8A tearoom fridge. There was a label with my name inside the bag. Please do not take my fruit. Mariella.

Kitty Needs a New Home

Sadly, we are looking for a new home for our cat. We have been his humans for 8 years, but we are unable to keep him any longer and so are hoping to find someone who could look after him. He is completely desexed, very affectionate, chatty and likes to sleep a lot. He’s super cute and fluffy and a bit shy until he feels comfortable. Has never lived with other cats, and is probably not great with dogs. He would suit someone who has a relatively quiet house and likes a cuddle in front of the TV. If you are interested in taking him please get in touch. <marissa.betts@mq.edu.au>

For Sale

2007 Toyota Camry with 197,000 km on the clock for sale for $7000. Car is registered until January 2017. Contact Tarun <tarun.rajan@mq.edu.au> for pictures and enquiries.

R Users Group

New Publications

In the Media

Recent Completions

Muhammad Masood has submitted his PhD thesis entitled “Responses to double stranded RNA in oysters: developing a model for antiviral immunity”

Supervised by Mariella Herberstein

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