Sexual Selection and Static Allometry: The Importance of Function
By: Eberhard, William G., Rafael Lucas Rodríguez, Bernhard A. Huber, Bretta Speck, Henry Miller, Bruno A. Buzatto, and Glauco Machado. The Quarterly Review of Biology 93, no. 3 (2018): 207-250. | Find with Google Scholar »
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Hi all
I’m currently at the Faculty retreat where we are discussing research and the curriculum architecture project.
cheers,
Michelle
Save the Date
This coming week 27th – 31st August
Mon 27th: 3 Min Thesis: FSE Finals; 11.50am – 1.00pm; Australian Hearing Hub Lecture Theatre.
Wed 29th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11.00am; The Hill.
Wed 29th: Departmental Seminar – Professor Simon Griffith, MQU; 1.00pm – 2.00pm; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Thu 30th: Wear It Purple BBQ; 11.00am to 2.00pm, Wally’s Walk outside MUSE.
Thu 30th: R User Group Meeting; 3.00pm – 4.00pm; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Following week 3rd – 7th September
Tue 4th: Department Meeting; 1.00pm – 2.00pm with lunch at 12:30pm; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Wed 5th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11.00am; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Wed 5th: Departmental Seminar – Dr Camilla Whittington, USyd; 1.00pm – 2.00pm; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Thu 6th: Biology Social Club Drinks; 5.00pm – 7.00pm; Biology Courtyard.
Future Events
Sep 10th: REP Workshop ‘Is The Mainstream Account of Evolution Satisfactory?’; 10.00am – 12.00pm; 7WW (E6B) 149 Briefing Room.
Sep 19th: Biology ECR Research Showcase; 9.30am; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Sep 19th: Biological Sciences Graduation Ceremony; 2.30pm; Great Hall, MQU.
Sep 21st: Frank Mercer Garden 40th Anniversary; 12.00pm – 2.00pm; Frank Mercer Garden, behind Biology Courtyard.
Oct 2nd: REP Workshop ‘Conserversation Conversations: Saving Our Smallest Species’; 9.00am – 11.00am; 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Oct 10th: Faculty Safety Day; 10.00am – 2.00pm; Biology Courtyard.
General News and Announcements
OPEN DAY 2018 a Success!
By all reports, Macquarie University Open Day 2018 went very well. Lots of interest in our offerings. Here are some pictures snapped by Prasanth Subramani during the proceedings.
Many thanks to all those who participated!
High Performers in Student Feedback for S1 – Congratulations to the following Session One unit convenors who scored an overall average >4 in the Learner Evaluation of the Unit. Well done all!
Adam Stow
Culum Brown
Grant Hose
Kerstin Bilgmann
Matthew Kosnik
Funding success – Congratulations to Rachael Dudaniec who has won funding from the NSW Government Saving our Species program for ‘Building the adaptive capacity of freshwater swamp communities in the Sydney Basin Bioregion’
2018 Faculty of Science and Engineering Final of the 3 Minute Thesis Competition – Monday 27th August 2018 at 12.00 pm, Australian Hearing Hub Lecture Theatre.
There are 14 competitors representing their Departments in the Faculty Final and you are invited everyone to attend. The Judging Panel for the competition will consist of: Prof Bernard Mans, Prof David Coutts, Prof Peter Nelson and A/Prof Bridget Mabbutt. The People’s Choice award will be chosen by those attending the event so come along and vote for your favourite presentation. Doors will be opened at 11:50 am for a sharp start at 12 pm.
The 2018 Competitors are:
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: Kate Dodds & Francisco Martinez-Baena
COMPUTING: Zizhu Zhang & Peiyao Li
EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES: Mehrnoush Rafiei & Michael Eze
ENGINEERING: Pablo Ribeiro Dia & Aleksei Marlanov
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: Armin Kavehei & Asuramuni Chathurika
MOLECULAR SCIENCES: Prathiba Ravishankar & Harry Tjondro
PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY: Wilfred Gee & Anita Petzler
Everyone is welcome. Please come and support our students!
Is This the Job for You? https://jobs.uow.edu.au/careersection/ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=181285&tz=GMT%2B10%3A00
The Faculty Women in STEM committee is working to enhance the profile of women in the Faculty. To that end, we have created an FSE Women in STEM twitter account. https://twitter.com/STEMwomenMQ
Please follow us! Please retweet! Please send us examples or news items concerning Women at MQ Faculty of Science and Engineering that would be appropriate for this account.
SUPERSTARS OF STEM – applications open NOW!
The search is on for the next 60 Superstars of STEM! Applications are already open! Science & Technology Australia are particularly keen for articulate and passionate women to apply: the aim is to make sure as many STEM disciplines as possible are represented on the program. Each of the participants will be equipped with the skills, contacts and opportunities to become confident public spokespeople for their work, their discipline, and their sector. They will meet decision makers at all levels of government, media, business and academia, and we will provide them with opportunities to connect with thousands of students across Australia. Applications due 23 September 2018.
NSW Threatened Species Committee – The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee is currently seeking nominations from university academics for membership of the committee. The committee is an independent scientific body under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act that assesses nominations of species and ecological communities for listing as threatened with extinction. Appointments are by the Minister for the Environment and are for three years. Both Lesley Hughes and Michelle Leishman have been past members and Chairs of the committee and Rachael Gallagher is a current member. If you would like to be nominated by the university please let Michelle know.
Wear it Purple BBQ! Thursday 30 Aug the university is hosting a BBQ & cake stall for Wear it Purple Day; supporting students who identify as LGBTIQ+. On at 11am to 2pm, Wally’s Walk outside MUSE.
Train Station Closure 30th Septermber 2018! With the Macquarie University train station closure on 30 September 2018, this website offers information about bus options from your closest train station. http://www.mysydney.nsw.gov.au/stationlink It will be the first place to look for information and will be continually updated
Indoor Plant Workshop – Want to have an office or living room like Rekha and Mariella, but don’t know where to start, or need a little motivation? Rekha and Masood are offering to run a workshop on creating a beautiful indoor plant display. All materials and tools provided. Minimum of 10 people required to run the workshop. There is only one workshop, but 4 possible dates (11, 12 or 13 Sept, or 3 Oct). Register your interest, so we can select the best date: https://doodle.com/poll/38fhcg2tbistc69a
COMINGS AND GOINGS
New Addition! Congratulations to James Lawson and Urvashi Lallu on the safe arrival of baby Lily!
RESEARCH STORIES, OUTCOMES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Are You an Early-Career Researcher Who Loves Sharing Your Research? The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) have joined forces to establish a new prize for early-career researchers who are doing an exceptional job of communicating ecological research to the public. The OEH/ESA Prize for Outstanding Outreach is a $400 cash prize which will provide much-deserved recognition, and additional experience, for up to six early-career researchers who are doing an excellent job of communicating their research.
Applications are now open, closing at midnight Saturday 13 October.
| Find out more |
https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/awards-and-prizes/student-awards-grants/oehesa-prize-outstanding-outreach
Seeking Early Career Marine Scientist for Scientific Advisory Committee – The MNF are seeking expressions of interest from an early career marine scientist to support the functions of their Scientific Advisory Committee. The definition and eligibility of an early career marine scientist:
- Candidates must have a PhD conferral date of ≤ 10 years – excluding allowable periods of career interruptions (please contact the MNF for clarification).
- The position is not restricted to postdocs.
Please also note, that as a committee member you will be unpaid, although expenses associated with attendance are reimbursed. If you are a motivated, early career marine scientist interested in enhancing your career development through this opportunity, then please click here for further information.
Biology ECR Research Showcase – Wednesday September 19th. The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Showcase is just around the corner on Wednesday September 19th. Please put it in your diary. The organisers (Ajay N, Rachael D, Jonas W) are busy collating a schedule of fascinating talks for your intellectual tastebuds, and also organising some carefully considered catering for your real ones. The ECR showcase is an annual mini-conference organised by our ECR committee, with the aim to promote and expose the great research being conducted in our department by our ECRs, while enabling networking across the department. All Department members (e.g. ECRs, Academics, Professional Staff and HDR students) are warmly invited to attend. Thank you so far to everyone who has volunteered to give a talk. Schedule to follow.
Would you like the opportunity to sail on the R.V. Investigator?! CAPSTAN – Trainers and Student Participant Applications are now open! The 2nd CAPSTAN voyage is scheduled to depart from Hobart, Tasmania 29th April, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia, 9th May, 2019 and it is time to crew the voyage! The following positions are now available.
Trainers – Applications open 15th of August, close 30th of September 2018. Student participants – Applications open 15th of August, close 30th of September 2018. For more information visit our website: https://goto.mq/6g nquiries: <fse.capstanenquiries@mq.edu.au>.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Need help with unit development or anything L&T? Talk to our friendly Faculty L&T team contact – Natalie Spence (x1943, <natalie.spence@mq.edu.au>).
The 3 Minute Thesis is coming up at Macquarie University! Come along and show your support to our PhD students! Cast your vote the all-important people’s choice award.
Faculty of Science and Engineering finals: Monday 27th August 11:30 am – 2:30 pm in Australian Hearing Hub lecture theatre 1; Macquarie University finals: Monday 17th September 1:30 – 3:30 pm in Macquarie Theatre.
3MT is a serious test of research presentation skills. Quick rules: Single, static Powerpoint slide, and no sounds or props, and 3 minutes maximum to speak.
Faculty of Science and Engineering finals: Monday 27th August 11:30 am – 2:30 pm in Australian Hearing Hub lecture theatre 1; Macquarie University finals: Monday 17th September 1:30 – 3:30 pm in Macquarie Theatre.
3MT is a serious test of research presentation skills. Quick rules: Single, static Powerpoint slide, and no sounds or props, and 3 minutes maximum to speak.
See more info, and recordings of previous winners’ talks here: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-research-program/3-minute-thesis-competition
BLOGS AND OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST
Plant of the Week
This week Roger Hiller has written Epacris impressa: Epacris impressa, “The Common Heath” is the state flower of Victoria and its discovery is an interesting part of Australian botanical history. It was part of “Spoils of War” that England took from the French in 1793. The specimens were restored to the French through the representations of Sir Joseph Banks.
Acknowledgements:
White Epacris impressa: By Melburnian [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epacris_impressa_white_3984.jp
From The Ryde Hunters Hill Flora & Fauna Preservation Society – Coming soon are two days of guided bushwalks in the Field of Mars Reserve: Sunday 6 October: Bird Walks
Details of booking requirements and walk departure times are in the attached flyer. RHHFFPS Guided Bushwalks August – October 2018
Ally Training provides participants with an overall understanding of why LGBTIQ inclusion is important to the Macquarie University community and explores challenges often faced by people who identify as LGBTIQ and the impact of Homophobia, Transphobia & prejudice. Participants who complete the training will be able to join the MQ Ally Network if they so wish.
Key Takeaways:
- Introduction to the diversity of identities within the LGBTIQ+ community
- Gain an understanding of discrimination and bias that affect people in the LGBTIQ+ community
- Know what the Ally Network is and what it takes to be an active and effective Ally.
- Develop your skills to actively speak out against Homophobia, Transphobia and prejudice
- Learn to refer people to appropriate local resources, support services & assistance
If you’d like to attend Ally training please complete this poll so that we can find an appropriate time. https://doodle.com/poll/qpzsmvaq4enu5n45 Each session will run for approximately 2 hours. For more information or if you have any questions please contact <workplacediversityinclusion@mq.edu.au>.
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Biological Sciences Weekly Seminar
Date/Time/Venue: Wednesday, 29th August 2018, 1 – 2pm, 14EAR (E8A) 280 Biology Tea Room.
Speaker: Professor Simon Griffith, MQU. Title: Lessons from finch bands and sparrow badges: why the current approach to research in ecology and evolution needs to change. More information at https://goto.mq.edu.au/biologyseminar2018-abstracts
Accelerated Computing for Innovation Conference – USyd, Friday 28th Sept 2018 – For more information, see the flyer: Accelerated_Computing_For_Innovation_2018.
REP Workshop ‘Is the Mainstream Account of Evolution Satisfactory?’ – Monday 10 Sept (10am – 12-noon), 07 Wally’s Walk (E6B) 149 Briefing Room. Organised by David Wells, Jemma Geoghegan, Michael Gillings, Catherine Grueber (USyd) and Mark Westoby. Chaired by Grant Hose.
The broad aim of this workshop is for participants is to think over our knowledge of evolutionary biology, especially the question whether standard or mainstream accounts of Darwinism should be regarded as somehow unsatisfactory or incomplete. The question for participants to think about beforehand is: If you were redesigning an intro-to-evolution course or a standard evolution textbook, what changes would you make as top of your priority list? These changes could be new topics added, or existing topics handled in a new way, or some sort of rearrangement of the overall layout of material. At the workshop five panel members will put forward their own ideas in response to this question (David Wells who initiated the workshop, Jemma Geoghegan, Michael Gillings, Catherine Grueber, Mark Westoby.). Then discussion will move to the floor.
Click here to register for ‘Is the mainstream account of evolution satisfactory?’
Living Seawalls Project Workshops – A team of researchers from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales are working on the ‘Living Seawalls Project’. The Living Seawalls Project involves trialing new approaches to ‘greening’ seawalls such as attaching 3D structures to existing seawalls to provide more space and habitats for marine plants and animals. One of the goals of the project is to assess stakeholder opinions of proposed new methods and designs for ‘greening’ seawalls. The team is hosting two 3-hour workshops to assess stakeholder opinions. During the workshops the new research initiatives will be explained and participants will have the opportunity to provide their opinion through group and individual activities, which involve brainstorming some of the benefits and risks of these and rating alternative approaches. Responses to these activities will remain anonymous, as per the requirements of the workshop approval we have received from Macquarie University.
To accommodate schedules, we have two workshops planned at a central City location for the end of August: Tuesday 28 August 9:30-12:30 in the morning and Thursday 30 August 5:30-8:30 in the evening (see below). Using the link, please select and register for the workshop you would like to attend by Friday 24 August.
Workshop Details & Registration: DATE: Workshop 1 Tuesday 28 August 9:30-12:30 OR Workshop 2 Thursday 30 August 5:30-8:30
VENUE: Macquarie University City Campus, Room 2414; 123 Pitt Street (Angel Place) Sydney, NSW. COST: FREE
TO REGISTER: Please use the following links to register for either Workshop 1 or Workshop 2. QUESTIONS: email <SydneyLivingSeawalls@gmail.com>.
Workshop 1 Tuesday 28 August 9:30-12:30 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/greening-seawalls-stakeholder-workshop-1-tickets-48786397428
Workshop 2 Thursday 30 August 5:30-8:30 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/greening-seawalls-stakeholder-workshop-2-tickets-48786925006
aaRgh (ask an Rgeek for help) – Second Thursday of every month 3 – 4pm, Biology Tearoom – 14EAR (E8A) 280. Frustrated? Having an R-related problem? We will also run regular afternoon tea sessions where you can get one-on-one help, or just introduce yourself and chat. Snacks provided!
REP Workshop ‘Conservation Conversations: Saving Our Smallest Species’- Tuesday 2nd October (9-11am), Room 280, 14 Eastern Road (Biology Tea Room). Organised by Lizzy Lowe.
Almost all animals are invertebrates, yet their vital role in maintaining the health of our environments and providing essential ecosystem services is systematically undervalued. These “other 99%” are under threat from a range of human activities but the need for their conservation is virtually ignored. In order to save our smallest species, we need increased public engagement, new ideas and improved collaboration between interest groups.
This workshop will involve a morning of “conservation conversations” to explore the future of invertebrate conservation in Australia and New Zealand. Invited speakers will express their views on the current state of invertebrate conservation and share their innovative research. We will then have an open session (over tea and biscuits!) to facilitate the sharing of ideas among attendees.
Everyone with an interest in conservation and/or invertebrate research is welcome to attend.
Click here to register for ‘Conservation conversations: saving our smallest species’
Department Writing Workshops for HDRs and ECRs – Running weekly for most of the year: Fridays 2-4pm in room E8B 111. Those interested in attending a session should email Ken Cheng <ken.cheng@mq.edu.au> by Wednesday 12:00-noon, preferably with a draft attached of what they are working on and some indication of what they especially need help with.
Peer Writing Assistance Session – Are you a HDR? Need help with your writing? Unsure how to structure your argument? Want advice on how to handle HDR life? If you answered yes to any of these questions then come along to a Peer Writing Assistance session! Peer Writing Assistants are current PhD students and HDR Mentors at Macquarie University that are a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ to look over your work and provide constructive advice. We are also available to talk aboutanyaspectof the HDR experience. Sessions can be booked on the HDR workshops page.
Writing Workshops – Running weekly for most of the year: Fridays 2-4pm in room 6SR (E8B) 111. Convened by Ken Cheng.
These writing workshops are meant for HDR students and early-career researchers. In these face-to-face encounters, writing at any stage of any genre is welcome, from first draft to final polish, from empirical paper to literature review to popular news story. Ken envisages personal feedback linked perhaps with rounds of revisions on selected passages during the session. The aim is not just to get stuff written, but to write everything well. Those interested in attending a session should email Ken Cheng <ken.cheng@mq.edu.au> by Wednesday 12:00-noon, preferably with a draft attached of what they are working on and some indication of what they especially need help with.
SUSTAINABILITY
Recycle Nook – books books books! The Recycle Nook has been rearranged so that academic texts are on the top shelf and fiction and general interest are on the lower shelves. There are a number of recent and ‘historic’ texts on the top shelf, esp Microbiology, Zoology and HSC Science. Have a browse and see if these are of interest and value to anyone you know. Any text published prior to this century will be recycled on Friday 10th August (giving you 3 weeks of browsing pleasure). Also in the recycle nook are a number of printer cartridges, blank CDs/DVDs, and miscellaneous other items.
ADMIN THINGS
Admin Alert! Admin workload is particularly high, so this is a reminder to submit your Absence on Duty early. Please give a minimum of 3 weeks before you travel domestically, and 6 weeks internationally, for approvals to be processed and bookings made for you. The more notice you give, the easier it is, and the better prices you can get. Any last-minute travel requests may not be processed.
Photo Competition – AUGUST 2018 – go into the draw to win a $100 Gift Card this month! This month’s theme is Landscape! Your images could be used on our Department website, this newsletter, on our social media and in other biology publications. A lucky person’s name will be drawn each month, and they will receive a $100 Gift Card! Criteria: you must provide caption information including details of what/where/who(names of people)/date & you must have taken all photos & the image must have been taken in the last five years. Please follow the dropbox file request link to submit your images.
Submission close: 31 AUGUST 2018. You can enter as many photos as you like – one entry to the draw per photo with caption info, good luck!
PURE Training – The PURE system is used to manage researcher profiles, outputs including publications, funding applications, awards, projects and reports. Do you feel like you could use some more PURE training? Please register your interest via an email to <jenny.ghabache@mq.edu.au>.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES – Have you participated in an activity for Biology recently? Don’t forget to fill in the super-quick form here – ACCESS OUTREACH FORM HERE
Location-W (Fauna Park) Admin Support – Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10am – 1pm in W19F.
Deliveries – You will notice that we have placed a red “transfer Box” in W19F, put anything in this box that needs to be delivered to the E8 area location. We also have a red “Transfer Box” in E8B Level 2 location, which is for goods to betaken to the W location. These boxes will be emptied every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. Deliveries from the main “MQ” store will be delivered daily. Any questions please contact Sharyon O’Donnell.
Building Name Changes – Cheat Sheet – If you are trying to identify buildings on campus with new names or old names, please use this link to convert them from old to new or vice versa.
Correct Method for Submitting to Department Matters
Department Matters submissions now have their own email address. Please send all future submissions to the newsletter to <fse.bionewsletter@mq.edu.au>!
Also, please see the following to correctly format your additions, and keep them rolling in!
You may have noticed that we try to keep all the articles to the same format for the Department Matters, however, rest assured, they do NOT all turn up in this format! To help keep your Department Matters looking as good as possible, when sending in additions to the Newsletter, please try to keep these formatting guidelines in mind.
- Please write in third person. The information is coming from the Newsletter, not directly from you.
- Do not use fancy text formatting. Bold heading, normal text, and only italics or bold to highlight. No font size changes will make it through, sorry.
- If sending via email, set your email output to basic. HTML output will add all sort of formatting that will have to be removed before your article can go into the newsletter.
Keeping to these guidelines will streamline your article’s addition to the newsletter. Thank you.
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New Publications
Soil and forest structure predicts large-scale patterns of occurrence and local abundance of a widespread Amazonian frog
By: Ferreira, Anthony S., Robert Jehle, Adam J. Stow, and Albertina P. Lima. PeerJ 6 (2018): e5424. | Find with Google Scholar »Conserving biodiversity and Indigenous bush tucker: Practical application of the strategic foresight framework to invasive alien species management planning
By: Adams, Vanessa M., Michael M. Douglas, Sue E. Jackson, Kelly Scheepers, Johnathan T. Kool, and Samantha A. Setterfield. Conservation Letters (2018): e12441. | Find with Google Scholar »Improving reliability of species identification and logbook catch reporting by commercial fishers in an Australian demersal shark longline fishery
By: Macbeth, W. G., P. A. Butcher, D. Collins, S. P. McGrath, S. C. Provost, A. C. Bowling, P. T. Geraghty, and V. M. Peddemors. Fisheries Management and Ecology 25, no. 3 (2018): 186-202. | Find with Google Scholar »Amplification and Posttranslational Modification Study of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Gene in Sordaria fimicola
By: Rana, Jawaria, Rabia Arif, Muhammad Ishfaq, Siu Fai Lee, and Muhammad Saleem. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY Volume: 20 Issue: 9 Pages: 2059-2063 Published: 2018 | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Matthew Bulbert was featured in Practical Parenting
Dr Matthew Bulbert from the Department of Biological Sciences was featured in Practical Parenting regarding the concept of the “five-minute pet”.
Vanessa Pirotta was interviewed on ABC Radio Adelaide Afternoons
Vanessa Pirotta from the Department of Biological Sciences was interviewed on ABC Radio Adelaide Afternoons regarding her study of whale snot.
Culum Brown was featured on Sky News
Associate Professor Culum Brown from the Department of Biological Sciences was featured on Sky News regarding SMART drumlines to catch sharks.
Lesley Hughes was interviewed on 2SER Breakfast
Distinguished Professor Lesley Hughes from the Department of Biological Sciences was interviewed on 2SER Breakfast in relation to the drought in NSW.