BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | August 12, 2016

Dear all,

I’m just back from two days on retreat in the Hunter Valley with the Faculty’s leadership team. We heard an update from all departments on their activities and strategic priorities for this year and discussed a range of issues including research, research funding and commercialisation / engagement opportunities, as well as updates on marketing, the Macquarie Park Innovation Precinct, the university’s master plan (for building), and plans for a major development of Science & Engineering buildings. When Barbara visits us on 25 August she will show us some of the science building planning so please put it in your diaries now. I was very proud to highlight biology’s achievements for this year!

cheerio

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 15th – 20th August

Wed 17th: Morning tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11:00am; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 17th: Departmental Seminar – Prof Russell Bonduriansky (UNSW); 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Sat 20th; Open Day.

Following week 22nd – 26th August

Wed 24th: Morning tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11:00am;The Hill.

Wed 24th: Departmental Seminar – Joey DiBattista – Genetic approaches to cataloging the form and function of biodiversity in our oceans; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 25th: Executive Dean Barbara Messerle visit and lunch with Biological Sciences; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Coming up

Sept 15th; Department Secret Safety Activity

Sept 19th: ECR research showcase day.

Sept 20th: Graduation for Biological Sciences, 2.30-4pm.

Oct 26th; Faculty Safety day

Oct 31st: Applications for domestic (APA) PhD scholarships due.

General News and Announcements

Grant Success!

Dr Leanne Armand, Dr Linda Armbrecht, Dr Martin Ostrowski and Prof. Simon George have been successful in attracting a $20K ANZIC special post-cruise analytical funds grant in the frontier science discipline of geomicrobiology entitled “Using ancient phytoplankton communities and genes to illuminate future ocean responses” (Expedition 316) “. The project is an early success stemming from the MQ Marine Research Centre’s efforts to drive cross-collaborative research projects at Macquarie University.

Plant Growth Facility

We had a very successful morning tea with DVC-R Sakkie Pretorius and Deputy Dean Bernard Mans at the Plant Growth Facility to celebrate the commissioning of our 8 new growth cabinets. Luckily whatever we put in the tea worked because Sakkie has agreed to buy us four more! They’ll be here by Christmas.

Open Day

Open Day is next Saturday 20th August. If you are putting on a biology display then please contact Dan Bateman for any last minute organisational details. Jenny Donald is organising the academic staff roster for the Biology advising desk – you don’t need any experience as Jenny & Darrell will supply a cheat sheet, you just need to be friendly and welcoming! Please contact Jenny to say when you are available.

Your Say survey

Have your say in the future shape of the university – this is your opportunity to provide feedback on how we are going. It took me less than 15 minutes to complete, so it’s quick and easy. You can find it here.

Welcome to the newest addition to the biology family!

Congratulations to Josh and Liz Madin who welcomed their baby boy Brooks Madin to the world on the 22nd of July. Everyone is healthy and adjusting well.

Why you should take social media seriously!

We will increasingly be required to measure impact and engagement beyond the traditional outlets of research papers and citation metrics.

Altmetric tabulates interest in scientific publications by examining the on-line activity they generate. The algorithm tracks Twitter, Facebook, News pieces, Blogs, scientific repositories and other mentions to generate a consolidated score. Macquarie is a subscriber to Altmetric, and the metrics are easy to use and download from the library web site. You’ll be pleased to know that 37% of Macquarie’s papers that achieve a score >50 come from biology!

(thanks to Michael Gillings)

Tutors for Ecology – Bird Prac

We are looking to fill two tutoring positions on the BIOl227 – Ecology field Trip to Stanwell Tops, near Royal National Park. The dates are 21-24 September and 25-28 September, returning to MQU around noon on the final day of both trips.

We need two people (or one person willing to do both trips) who are good at terrestrial bird ID and surveys to teach our ecology student how ID birds and survey for birds.

Each field trip “slot” is worth 21 hours (3x3hr bird survey pracs on each trip + 2hrs talking to students about their independent projects + 6 hrs of supervising independent projects + 4 hours for prep meeting and travel).

If you are interested or know anyone who “fits the bill” please let Kath or Linda know (Drew and Dave are already coming on the trips)!
<katherine.mcclelan@mq.edu.au> or <linda.beaumont@mq.edu.au>

Weekly Seminar Series

Day/Date/Time/Place: Wed, 17th August, 1 – 2pm, E8A-280 (Tea Room).

Speaker: Prof Russell Bonduriansky (UNSW)

Bio: Russell Bonduriansky completed his PhD with Locke Rowe at the University of Toronto in 2004. He then moved to UNSW in Sydney, where he is now an Associate Professor in the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre. His research interests span many areas of evolutionary ecology, including the nature and implications of extended heredity, the role of developmental plasticity, sexual coevolution and the evolution of ageing.

Title: The evolutionary ecology of nongenetic inheritance

Abstract: The evolutionary Modern Synthesis was based on an exclusively genetic concept of heredity, but research over the past couple of decades has revealed a vast variety of nongenetic hereditary phenomena. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications of such effects is one of the greatest challenges faced by contemporary biology. I will outline some empirical and conceptual work that my research group has done on this problem over the past several years. This work suggests that the study of nongenetic inheritance may hold a key to long-standing evolutionary puzzles, from sexual coevolution to the evolution of ageing, and is likely to yield many surprises.

What does climate change mean for the biodiversity of NSW?

Please join us for a morning on the 19^th August to hear the latest in research from the NSW Adaptation Research Hub: Biodiversity Node.

The Biodiversity node is a research collective led by Climate Futures at Macquarie University with a focus on the capacity of species, ecosystems and landscapes to adapt to climate change. OEH has extended its support for the Node with another two years of funding to continue undertaking collaborative climate change adaptation research.

The node is hosting a free event to showcase the research, and provide a chance to network with the researchers.

When: 19^th August 2016, 9.00am-12.30pm, with lunch to follow

Where: The Vibe Hotel, 111 Goulburn St, Sydney

Who:   A  collection of speakers from the Biodiversity Node, including Distinguished Professor Lesley Hughes

The event is an open event, but spaces are limited so please register your interest here.

Reminder for supervisors

Nomination of examiners forms is now an online process and the Faculty HDR team will not accept paper forms. You can find the link here.

Interested in land cover, biodiversity, carbon stocks and cycles, and ecosystem productivity?

The Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network TERN  (www.tern.org.au) is engaging in an national consultation process via focus group sessions to seek your feedback on its infrastructure in Sydney on August 23 at 1pm. The focus group is an opportunity to:

• Be part of TERN’s user driven future by having your say on the development of future TERN services
• Describe the service improvements you would like to see TERN adopt
• Comment on the draft TERN 10 year plan
• Learn more about TERN and NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy)

Flyer is here

Plant of the Week – Banksia integrifolia – the Coast Banksia

Could You Be Part of Future Students?

The Future Students Team is now in the process of hiring current Macquarie students to become Student Ambassadors for 2017 and we’d love your recommendations of any students you feel would fit well within the program.

The key function of the Student Ambassador is to represent and promote the University to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students at careers markets, school presentations, campus tours, on-campus events and through telephone and online initiatives. The Student Ambassador role is a paid position working on a casual basis; no set days or times each week. Comprehensive training is provided on an ongoing basis.

We are looking for students who have excellent communications skills, are highly engaged in university life and are willing to learn and promote their enthusiasm for the university to prospective students. Student who have two or more years of study remaining are preferred, however we will consider outstanding final year students too.  We also conduct outreach activities with a range of cohorts (not just high school students), so we would especially like to hear from mature age students, non-school applicants, students who entered Macquarie through an alternative entry pathway (e.g. Next Step, TAFE, internal transfer, Walanga Muru), postgraduate students, as well as undergraduates who came through the Global Leadership Entry Program or School Recommendation Scheme.

Academics, please advertise this to your students.  If any are interested can you have them provide their name, address and 1-2 sentences on why they think they would be suitable and then send this on to Amy Lego on their behalf? Amy manages the Student Ambassador team.  She will then contact them and invite them to submit an application.

The application deadline is Sunday 28 August 2016. After the closing date, candidates will be short listed for interviews and advised of the outcome.

Thank you for your assistance. If you have any further questions about the role or application process, please feel free to contact Amy directly on 9850 7254 or email <amy.lego@mq.edu.au>. This is a great opportunity to help shape how the Faculty is represented.

Sydney Chapter for Society for Conservation Biology: Upcoming events

Saturday August 20th: Urban Birds Conservation Cafe

As part of National Science Week and the Sydney Science Festival, SydneySCB has arranged a special conservation cafe with four experts on urban birds. Book your place on Eventbrite (https://urban-birds-cafe.eventbrite.com.au)

Sunday August 28th: Creative Conservation Acrylics at Manly Quarantine Station

The Sydney Chapter for the Society of Conservation Biology run an exciting workshop series called “Creative Conservation”. This workshop series is intended to bring nature and science and the arts together.
In this workshop we will be exploring landscape acrylic painting with professional artist Ken Tucker. Ken paints a variety of subjects, espescially gorgeous Australian landscapes. He has extensive experience teaching art classes, and prefers to do them outdoors. Breathing the fresh air is part of the inspiration!
This class will be held at the Quarantine Station in Manly, where we can soak in harbour views, the national park and the atmosphere of the quarantine station.

Price: $75-$115 for members/nonmembers with and without materials. See the Eventbrite page for more details (https://paintingenpleinair2016.eventbrite.com.au)

Sci_wk_2016_con_cafe_a3_poster_print_version_small

Accommodation Wanted

Anika Immer, a Cotutelle PhD student is coming to Simon Griffith’s lab next week. She is looking for a place to stay in Sydney from 17 August for 4-6 weeks, before she heads out to do field work. If anyone had a place or knows of a place she can stay for that time period please contact her at <anika.immer@gmail.com>.

Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Project Position Available

SIMS is currently looking for a new Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Project – please find attached a copy of the position description for circulation.

The Director will be responsible for the overall management and guidance of the SHRP, development of the science plan, facilitation of community engagement and outreach components, further fundraising for the project, coordination of participating scientists, communication of SHRP findings and supervision of SHRP staff. They will in addition be responsible for ensuring that the SHRP is integrated and congruent with the World Harbour Project.

Applications can be sent to <catherine@sims.org.au> by August 31^st. Further information can be obtained from:

Professor Peter Steinberg

Director and CEO, Sydney Institute of Marine Science

T: (02) 9969 2664 or (02) 9385 3273

E: p.steinberg@unsw.edu.au

SHRP Director

2017 Mike Smith Student Prize for History of Australian Science or Australian Environmental History

The National Museum of Australia and the Academy’s National Committee for History and Philosophy of Science invite submissions for the 2017 biennial Mike Smith Student Prize for the History of Australian Science or Australian Environmental  History. A cash prize of $3000 will be awarded for an essay based on original unpublished research undertaken whilst enrolled as a student at any tertiary educational institution in the world.

Deadline: 9 am AEST Tuesday 4 October 2016

See the flyer here

New Publications

In the Media

Recent Completions