BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | August 11, 2017

Dear all,

The new admin team are now settling in – if you haven’t met them please pop in and say hi. This newsletter also has the information you need on who to contact for what detailed below.

The 2016 Annual Report is in final stages of preparation – if you have been contacted by Jenny to provide some input (and any images also very welcome!) please do so as soon as possible so we can get this into press this month.

Open Day is nearly upon us – thanks to Darrell, Matt Bulbert, Ajay and the team of volunteers for putting everything together – fingers crossed for a great day and loads of interested visitors! All students and staff are warmly encouraged to come along and help out where you can. And thanks to Matt and his team of volunteers also for huge effort in Science Week – see below!

Finally – please put Aug 24th morning tea in your diaries for the launch of Dick Frankham’s newest book.

cheers,

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 14th – 18th August

Wed 16th: STEM Careers Forum; 10-12.30 for biology; E7A-L8 and GF Atrium.

Wed 16th: Department Morning Tea; 10:30am – 11:30am; The Hill.

Wed 16th: Department seminar: Associate Professor Nigel Andrew, The University of New England; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 17th: Writing Workshop; 2:30-4:30pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 17th; Special Seminar – Distinguished Professor Margaret Brimble, from the University of Auckland; 12 Wally’s Walk (E7A) Level 8, 6:00-8:30 pm.

Sat 19th: Open Day

Following week 21st – 25th August

Wed 23rd: Department Morning Tea; 10:30am – 11:30am; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 23rd: Professor Chris Johnson, The University of Tasmania; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 24th: Launch of Dick Frankham’s latest book ‘Genetic management of fragmented animal and plant populations’; 10.30-11.30am; Biology tea room

Thu 24th: 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).

Sept 19th: ECR Showcase; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Oct 2nd: Special Seminar: A/Prof Maren Wellenreuther “Women in Science: Highlighting the changing face of evolutionary biology”;  1 – 2pm; C8A 310 Senate Room.

Nov 13-14: Department retreat for academic staff; venue TBC.

Department seminar schedule
August 30th: Vacant
September 13th: Dr Caragh Threlfall, The University of Melbourne
September 20th: Dr Kate Lynch, MQ Departmental ECR
October 4th: Dr Lesley Lancaster & Dr Maren Wellenreuther, University of Aberdeen/ Lund University & Plant and Food Research NZ
October 11th: Dr John Martin, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
October 18th: Associate Professor Matthew England, The University of NSW
October 25th: Associate Professor Carla Sgro, Monash University
November 1st: Dr Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University
November 8th: Associate Professor Bob Wong, Monash University
November 15th: Associate Professor Nathan Lo, The University of Sydney

General News and Announcements

New Baby!

Aili Sanscha Regtop was born 3.59am on Tuesday, 8th August, 2017.  4.3 kg, 52 cm tall.  Mum and bub doing well after speedy labour!

DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR SERIES

Day/Date/Time/Place: Wednesday 16th August, 1-2pm, E8A-280 (Tea Room).

Speaker: Associate Professor Nigel Andrew, The University of New England.

Title: Assessing Invertebrate Responses to Global Warming: from individual through to biogeographic responses.

Abstract: Understanding biotic responses to global warming continues to be one of the key issues being assessed by biologists. We are still a long way off from determining if there are underlying generalities in population, species and ecosystem responses to these rapid environmental changes. Nigel will present some of his recent research on different ways of assessing these responses, primarily focusing on ants.

Call for Academic Speakers for August 30th!

The scheduled seminar speaker for the Weekly Seminar on August 30th has had to pull out, so this is YOUR opportunity to shine in front of the Department!  If you could give a 30 min or 1 hour seminar on your work, at 1pm on Wednesday 30th August, please contact Rachael Gallagher <rachael.gallagher@mq.edu.au> to express your interest.

Science Week – the department is all over it!

Sydney Science festival is upon us 8^th – 20^th August

8-20^th: Australian Museum Schools Expo – Biology is occupying the booth for 6 out of the 8 days. Around 15 participants from this department representing 12 research groups. Over 5000 students from primary to secondary are registered and we are also occupying the booth for Super Saturday 12^th which is an open public day.

18^th/19^th: Night of Illusions – Currently 1000 members of the public have registered. We are thinking about taking it on the road….

Other wonderful science events:

11^th : Future humans and Human Evolution: Past, Present, Future – it was a cracker last year and I suspect it was again this year

16^th/17^th/19^th:  Wild Science Race – schools galore subscribed and I’m sure the community day will be a hit.

Faculty Leadership experience

This week the Faculty Leadership team participated in a ‘Cooking for a Cause’ session at OzHarvest. We produced ~150 meals that were distributed to needy people in Sydney – it’s a great organisation and was a fabulous experience!

Who is who and who does what in the Biology Admin team

Sharyon O’Donnell – I think we all know that Sharyon manages everyone and knows everything

Caitlin Kordis – unit convenor support 200-level and above, student enquiries, teaching allocations, timetabling, handbook, casual appointments, visitors and honoraries

Kate Barry – unit convenor support 100-level

Vincent d’Cruz – academic accounts, invoices to externals, finance queries, fixed term appointments, leave management, staff travel bookings

Jenny Ghabache – front desk, room bookings, email groups, newsletter, webpage, social media, events, outreach, Sharyon & Michelle’s diary

Ayden de Courcy & Harriet O’Sullivan – CONCUR, invoices, purchasing, stationery

Julian May – HDR support including travel

and we still have Suchitra Patki (all things Finance) and Phil Dartnell (academic support) on Thursdays and Fridays for a bit longer while we transition to the new team

STEM Careers Forum
Presentations | Q&A | Networking

The STEM Careers Forum showcases a diverse range of career options for FSE researchers at UG, PG and Research level. Come meet industry representatives who will present on their career journeys, provide tips/industry insights, and network with other STEM researchers and employers. Refreshments are provided.

Date: Wed 16^th Aug
Venue: E7A L8 (Presentations) and GF Atrium (Networking that follows)
Hear industry speakers present on:

• How they made the most of their STEM degrees
• What they do and where they work now
• How they got there
• Any tips/advice/opportunities for STEM researchers looking for employment outside academia

10am – 12.30pm session for BIOL/CHEM/CBMS/ENVS/EPS researcher

Did You Participate in an Outreach Activity Recently for the Department?

Don’t for get to fill in the super-quick form here – – ACCESS OUTREACH FORM HERE

2pm – 4.30pm session for MATH/STATS/PHYS/ASTR/ENGG/IT/IS researchers

FSE Public Lecture

Distinguished Professor Margaret Brimble, from the University of Auckland, will show how medicinal chemistry can transform lives and reap economic returns in her upcoming Faculty of Science and Engineering Public Lecture: The nature of Chemistry – Saving lives and creating jobs

17 August 2017, 12 Wally’s Walk (E7A) Level 8, 6:00-8:30 pm.

All welcome!  Registrations essential and an email has been sent to the whole faculty.

The event will be followed by food and refreshments and it is free.

Department of Origin…. A Touch Football challenge

The Dept of Environmental Sciences has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged us to a game of touch football….

If you are interested in playing a game and fighting for the reputation and honour of our Department please contact <Grant.Hose@mq.edu.au>

Experience and knowledge of the game not required.. just come along with a willingness to have fun. EVERYONE WELCOME (Staff & Students & ring ins)

The time and date will be determined once we have a team together.  Initially this is a one off challenge but if there is sufficient interest this may become a more regular social thing.

Plant biologist Wanted for Outreach

Science teachers from Catholic schools in NSW are looking for a plant ecologist/botanist to attend their next Professional Learning Community meeting on 19th October (3:30 – 4:30).   Here is their information:

We are a Sydney regional professional learning community of biology teachers from Catholic systemic schools who gather to discuss teaching strategies and content knowledge for the NESA biology Stage 6 syllabus. We would like some support for the following syllabus content points with ideas for unpacking these two these statements as well as possible practical work that may support a concrete learner.

●       interpret a range of secondary-sourced information to evaluate processes, claims and conclusions that have led scientists to develop hypotheses, theories and models about the structure and function of plants, including but not limited to: (ACSBL034)
–       photosynthesis
–       transpiration-cohesion-tension theory

●       assess the causes and effects of diseases on agricultural production, including but not limited to:
–       plant diseases

Please contact Margaret Shepard <president@stansw.asn.au> if you are interested in speaking at the meeting.

PACE International Job Openings!

There are a number of positions currently being advertised at PACE International. Please forward to your networks.

http://jobs.mq.edu.au/cw/en/job/501361/pace-international-program-coordinator

http://jobs.mq.edu.au/cw/en/job/501329/pace-international-program-officer

http://jobs.mq.edu.au/cw/en/job/501348/pace-international-student-liaison-officer

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