Movements and behaviour of blue whales satellite tagged in an Australian upwelling system
Mӧller, Luciana M., Catherine RM Attard, Kerstin Bilgmann, Virginia Andrews-Goff, Ian Jonsen, David Paton, and Michael C. Double. Scientific reports 10, no. 1 (2020): 21165. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78143-2 | Find with Google Scholar »
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Message from the HoD
Dear all,
This will be the last Department Matters for 2020 and I’d like to thank Julian, Jenny and others for putting it together throughout the year and helping to keep us informed and in touch.
As we reflect on a challenging 12 months, I hope you can take away some satisfaction in the way you personally, and the Department as a whole, has coped with the ups and downs. We are nothing if not adaptable, and I am hopeful that Biology can continue to lead the way in terms of research performance and increasingly in teaching innovation in 2021 and beyond.
I may see some of you in the corridors next week but, if not, I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and hope you can enjoy some well-earned rest and relaxation with your families over the break.
Cheers,
Nathan
Save the Date
This Coming Week
MQ Uni shut-down: 24th Dec 2020 to 3rd Jan 2021.
Future Events
2021 Teaching lab inductions: 11th Feb, 18th Feb, 9am-12pm (see below).
Weekly Events
Mon-Fri: morning writing sessions on Zoom with HDR Learning Skills; see below.
General News and Announcements
Josh Aldridge was farewelled on Thur 17th December; below is a snap of Josh and colleagues enjoying a socially-distanced morning tea. Huge thanks to Josh for his contributions to the Department, and best of luck in the future!
Biological Sciences Annual Report 2019
For your reading pleasure over the break, the Biology 2019 Annual Report features our teaching, research, and various achievements from 2019. Feel free to share with external bodies.
2021 S1 Teaching Lab Inductions – schedule and registration link
For convenience and flexibility, the tech team is offering two identical sessions across two weeks – register for either date here: https://bit.ly/S1-2021-lab-induction-rsvp
Thu 11th Feb 2021, 9am-12pm
Thu 18th Feb 2021, 9am-12pm;
See schedule: Teaching lab inductions 2021 itinerary
Outgoing mail – write account code
As of 1st December, any mail (letters, parcels) sent via the mailbags must have an account code written on it – next to “Department of Biological Sciences” – or it will not be processed by the mail room and will be returned.
OPPORTUNITIES
Academic job ads
With job uncertainty, you may wish to check the academic job adverts on ProfessorPositions.com.
Calling all Young Researchers collaborating with ANSTO
Students, ranging from undergraduates to PhDs and beyond; post-docs, research fellows, early to mid-career researchers – you are invited to join ANSTOs Young Researchers Club, re-launching from early 2021 – contact <amy.macintosh@hdr.mq.edu.au>
The Club aims to engage with all groups of students, who go onsite at ANSTO or only use the instruments and capabilities on a short-term basis. We will have many social and formal events throughout the year, including mentorship workshops for working in industry and students showcasing their research, to picnics onsite, potlucks and BBQs, or even a sneaky trip to the nearby brewery or the Royal National Park on the weekends for some downtime. The Club is inclusive of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, LGBTIAQ+, international students and people with learning difficulties; they will be providing an Ally Network and mentoring opportunities for anyone who would like a safe and friendly space at ANSTO, to engage with people from different backgrounds.
World Wildlife Fund is looking for an Antarctic Program Manager
Applications close 21 Dec 2020 at 9am. See job advert: https://hcm612.peoplestreme.net/wwf13m2015/erec_candidate_job.asp?id=3956&src=int
$15,000 Tech Voucher grants to support SME / University Partnerships
MQ has available ~$120K for tech vouchers to support SME (small to medium enterprise) partnerships. The funds are to be allocated between now and the middle of next year. Each grant is for up to 15K, to be matched by the SME. Information about the scheme can be found at https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/support-for-business/innovation-and-research/techvouchers. Contrary to what the website says, applications related to research to be done in partnership with MQ are being accepted.
This scheme could represent a way for ECRs to catalyse industry connections and hopefully pave the way for a long-term relationship – potentially very useful in a time of tight budgets.
The scheme can:
- seed a research project in partnership with a BBIP delivery partner
- support a research project that will lead to an application for an Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme Research Connections or Accelerating Commercialisation, or other similar scheme
- fund access to research facilities and equipment such as electron microscopes, medical imaging, e-research supercomputers, nanofabrication, marine and climate infrastructure, and other BBIP delivery partner facilities
- fund product or process design activities, such as engineering or technical design expertise to determine prototype structure, function and/or materials
- access technical assistance
- trial production runs or processes to demonstrate technical concepts
- validate or demonstrate technical capabilities of a product, process or technology
- fund toxicology studies on materials you have invented, or wish to incorporate into a new product.
This is the final year where MQ will receive a set allocation within this scheme and to date this scheme has been underutilised. In future years this will be a competitive scheme across institutions. This is a very good opportunity to get in now.
If you would like more information or support to progress an application for a TechVoucher, please contact PVC Research Innovation Professor Dan Johnson (dan.johnson@mq.edu.au).
New online volunteer application form to supercede PDF form
To be completed when volunteers are brought onboard. The online form will require the volunteer to have their documents and work details ready to input.
When a form is submitted, an email will come to the supervisor for approval, and they then send it on to the admin team.
Please see the PDF below with a link to the form and a list of required documents. Please note that admin will no longer be accepting the old pdf form. If you have questions, please contact jenny.ghabache@mq.edu.au.
Volunteer form information Biological Sciences – see attached for details.
Looking for volunteers?
Want some help with your research or fieldwork? Contact Jenny Ghabache jenny.ghabache@mq.edu.au for the list of people that have registered their interest in doing volunteer work in our Dept.
Recruiting Mentors for the BioTech Future Challenge
The BIOTech Futures team are seeking academics to mentor high school students under the BIOTech Futures Challenge 2020, a large outreach event hosted by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering (Director: Prof Hala Zreiqat), in conjunction with our many partner institutes and centres.
This is a fantastic opportunity for academics, postdocs and research students (all can be mentors) to work together with high school students and inspire the next generation of young scientists. As an academic mentor, you will be guiding one to several teams of high school students on an innovative project in science, engineering, medicine, etc. that is related to your research area. The teams will conduct their research and design for the project, and present their ideas and findings in a short presentation at our end-of-year symposium.
Please find some additional information regarding the event below. For more detailed information about our expectations for mentor commitment, please see the attached “Final Statement of commitment” document. More information can be found on the website https://biotechfutures.org/ or contact biotech.futures@sydney.edu.au.
Please register as a mentor through our Google form. Mentors have the choice of submitting possible projects or to work with students who develop their own project. https://forms.gle/q5wRkHzeCca8gn7p9
Working With Children Check (WWCC). This is not required for registration – we will ask you to update when we’re allocating projects. You can apply or renew at https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check (free for volunteers).
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Mock Interviews
Mock Interviews: Interviewing for jobs can be challenging. Over the last few years, we have been offering mock-interviews for Students, Postdocs and Casual staff who have been shortlisted for one. If you are shortlisted for an interview and would like to do a mock before the real deal, please email Ajay [ajay.narendra@mq.edu.au] with relevant information [job description, application, mode of the interview – online or in person]. We will put together a relevant panel to help you prepare for your interview.
Venture Café – will be convening their community online, via Zoom, and offering the #ThursdayGathering programming in a Virtual format.
For more information visit: https://venturecafesydney.org/whats-on-this-week
HDR NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
FameLab 2021 – online science communication workshops
Want to continue to develop your skills as a science communicator? And share your research with the world? FameLab wants to hear from you! Live and online, armed only with your wits, a few props and just three minutes, you could take part in FameLab 2021 – the global science communication competition out to discover leading early career researchers. The winner of the Australian competition will compete for the global title against over 30 other countries.
Last year 51,111 people viewed the FameLab Australia videos – what a great way to get your research out there!
Register your interest in workshops, running Feb 2021: https://www.fwam.com.au/join-us/famelab-2021/
Enter FameLab: https://www.fwam.com.au/join-us/famelab-2021/famelab-2021-entry-form/
COVID-19 Scholarships with MQ’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation
AIHI is offering five domestic scholarships for PhD projects studying Covid-19 and health system crisis planning. AIHI is seeking high calibre candidates with pioneering ideas – not limited to only health and medical researchers. Anyone with the suitable prerequisites and a curiosity about how healthcare may be transformed into the future is welcome. https://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/scholarships/scholarship-search/data/covid-19-and-future-crisis-preparedness-in-healthcare
iThenticate will be used for PhD thesis originality checking from 2021
HDR Supervisors will have access and be responsible for submissions, checking. iThenticate at a glance Questions? Get in touch with <julian.may@mq.edu.au>
HDR Reflections on 2020
To end the year on an uplifting note, the HDR Committee has opened a Padlet to collect the positive experiences of HDR candidates, achievements, self-realisations, and lessons learned. Post yours and read others’ here: https://padlet.com/julian_may/dy7ie0pxypfpz4ok
We want to see photos and videos, too!
We want to see photos and videos, too!
CSIRO India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon 8th-10th February 2021
Work in a team of 2-5 students on one of the themes below:
- Theme 1: Innovation in packaging reducing packaging waste
- Theme 2: Innovation in food supply chains avoiding waste
- Theme 3: Creating opportunities for plastics waste reduction
- Theme 4: Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste
Projects can take the form of an app, digital art, a website, a game, 3D models, graphic designs, pure academic research, or any other medium which can be tested and innovated upon.
Virtual information session: 9 December 2020
Applications close: 20 December 2020
APR.Intern Opportunities – good for PhDs under examination
Summary: APR.Intern organises industry paid internships ($3000/month) for current or recently-completed PhD candidates; see student info.
APR.Intern is a not-for-profit (a STEM organisation) and the only recognized national postgraduate all-discipline intern program (3-6 month projects) with $18M funding from Federal Government to rebate industry for PhD’s doing research. They have a focus on women in STEM along with indigenous, disadvantaged and regional undertaking PhD’s in Australia.
Some currently available projects:
- FIAL, is offering $4000 + GST up front for food industry-related research projects. https://aprintern.org.au/partnerships-fial/
- IMCRC, Innovative Manufacturing CRC is offering $5000 to $6,500 + GST up front for advanced and digital manufacturing and optimisation solutions related research projects. https://aprintern.org.au/business-info/costs-rebates/partnerships-imcrc/
- MTP Connect REDI Initiative, is offering $10,000 + GST a rebate for businesses in the medtech, biotech and pharmaceutical sector with related research projects https://aprintern.org.au/business-info/costs-rebates/partnerships-mtpconnect/
Federal Government funding will rebate industry partners at 90% for Domestic PhD’s signing Agreements from 20 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, and International PhD’s at 50%.
If you or your supervisor wishes to approach an industry partner directly to set-up an internship, you can provide this flyer with costing/project details: APR_PricingFlyer_GovRebate.
All APR Intern programs must be completed by 31 August 2021.
Student grants
American Ornithological Society – student membership awards
See AOS website to apply; applications close 31 Dec 2020.
Royal Entomological Society (UK) Student article award
For “Any article about an entomological topic that would be of interest to the general public. The article should be easy to read, in a popular style and no longer than 800 words.” Up to GBP400; see RES website for details. Applications close 31 Dec 2020.
Fellowships in Cellular Agriculture
(US-based) New Harvest is offering Graduate (PhD) and Postgraduate Fellowships (USD$40,000-55,000 pa); see New Harvest website for details. Applications close 15 Jan 2021.
Val Williams Scholarship in Botany
The Australian Plant Society, North Shore group, is offering $3000 for a project “contributing to the knowledge of the ecology, conservation, or propagation of native plants in the Sydney and surrounding region”; see VWS application info 2021 (pdf); see APS Website for application documents. Applications close 5th March 2021.
STEP’s John Martyn research grant for the conservation of bushland
$2500 is available to HDR candidates who are engaged in the study of any aspect of urban bushland, including flora and fauna studies, biodiversity, and management issues such as chemical pollution, weed invasion, erosion control and control burning. See STEP website for grant details; applications 31 March 2021.
Morning Writing Sessions on Zoom
Are you keen to carve out some (or more) focused time for writing or working on your respective projects? Here’s your motivation!
Florence Chiew from HDR Learning Skills is running daily 9-10 am sessions on Zoom, for anyone wanting to establish a focused work routine.
Huong Ly Tong, a current PhD candidate from the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, is also hosting Zoom sessions from Mondays to Wednesdays, 10 am-12 pm. Ly will be using the pomodoro technique for her sessions.
If you’ve been looking for ways to dedicate and protect your time to focus on your work/projects, these sessions are for you. All are welcome! No need to register, just show up when you can, as often as you can or would like to.
Mondays to Fridays, 9am-10am: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/171886921
Host: florence.chiew@mq.edu.au
Mondays to Wednesdays, 10am-12pm: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/84482783098?pwd=K0JNRE1tQmo0WWhUd2UxSHRIRFlOUT09
Password: 607014
Host: huong-ly.tong@students.mq.edu.au
THIS AND THAT
Be COVID Safe – clean meeting rooms after use
Please be reminded to clean meeting rooms, such as the Tearooms after use. This includes wiping down surfaces and used equipment like computers and keyboard.
Please do your part to look after the health of the University.
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
Call out for Social Media Content
We are looking to feature a different student each week on the Biology Social Media accounts. If you would like to share your research or fieldwork with the public, please send photos and a short blurb about your work to Jenny Ghabache: <jenny.ghabache@mq.edu.au>
Correct Method for Submitting to Department Matters
Department Matters submissions now have their own email address. Please send all your news items for the newsletter to <fse.bionewsletter@mq.edu.au>
Have You Missed Out on an Issue of Department Matters? Back issues can be found at this newsletter archive link for your reading pleasure.
New Publications
Genetic insights into the globally invasive and taxonomically problematic tree genus Prosopis
Castillo, María L., Urs Schaffner, Brian W. van Wilgen, Noé Manuel Montaño, Ramiro O. Bustamante, Andrea Cosacov, Megan J. Mathese, and Johannes J. Le Roux. AoB PLANTS (2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plaa069 | Find with Google Scholar »Meta-Transcriptomic Identification of Divergent Amnoonviridae in Fish
Turnbull, Olivia MH, Ayda Susana Ortiz-Baez, John-Sebastian Eden, Mang Shi, Jane E. Williamson, Troy F. Gaston, Yong-Zhen Zhang, Edward C. Holmes, and Jemma L. Geoghegan. Viruses 12, no. 11 (2020): 1254. | Find with Google Scholar »Physiological Impairment as a Result of Bile Accumulation in an Apex Predator, the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier Peron & Lesueur, 1822)
Wosnick, Natascha, Ana Paula Chaves, Yuri Vieira Niella, Veronica Takatsuka, Fábio Hissa Vieira Hazin, Jorge Luiz Silva Nunes, and Danny Morick. Animals 10, no. 11 (2020): 2030. | Find with Google Scholar »Forest Fire Susceptibility Prediction Based on Machine Learning Models with Resampling Algorithms on Remote Sensing Data
Kalantar, Bahareh, Naonori Ueda, Mohammed O. Idrees, Saeid Janizadeh, Kourosh Ahmadi, and Farzin Shabani. Remote Sensing 12, no. 22 (2020): 3682. | Find with Google Scholar »Family matters: skin microbiome reflects the social group and spatial proximity in wild zebra finches
Engel, Kathrin, Helga Pankoke, Sebastian Jünemann, Hanja B. Brandl, Jan Sauer, Simon C. Griffith, Jörn Kalinowski, and Barbara A. Caspers. BMC Ecology (2020) 20(1):58.. | Find with Google Scholar »Influence of leaf shape on the scaling of leaf surface area and length in bamboo plants
Shi, Pei-Jian, Yi-Rong Li, Ülo Niinemets, Edward Olson, and Julian Schrader. Trees (2020): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-020-02058-8 | Find with Google Scholar »The oldest Cambrian trilobite – brachiopod association in South China
Zhang, Zhiliang, Mansoureh Ghobadi Pour, Leonid E. Popov, Lars E. Holmer, Feiyang Chen, Yanlong Chen, Glenn A. Brock, and Zhifei Zhang. Gondwana Research 89: 147-167. | Find with Google Scholar »Comparison of wrack dynamics between mangrove forests with and without seawalls
Critchley, Lincoln P., Ana B. Bugnot, Katherine A. Dafforn, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, and Melanie J. Bishop. Science of The Total Environment 751 (2020): 141371. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
David Mabberley gave his last presentation in a series of five on The Science Show with Robyn Williams, Radio National, last Saturday 12th December at 12.05 pm: Australian trees growing all over the world.
Read more »
Professor Rob Harcourt was featured in The Herald Sun and syndicated publications and The Daily Mail regarding the areas with the highest risk of shark attack.
Read more »
Distinguished Professor Lesley Hughes provided comment to the Sydney Morning Herald about the Government committing not to use ‘Kyoto carryover credits’ to meet its climate targets.
Read more »