Predicting Predator Recognition in a Changing World
By: Carthey, Alexandra JR, and Daniel T. Blumstein. Trends in ecology & evolution (2017). | Find with Google Scholar »
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Dear all,
The Department leadership team held a very successful planning day this week, mapping out objectives and activities for 2018 and beyond. Make sure you come along to the next department meeting on Tuesday 6th February to hear all about that and other news for 2018. And if you missed Lesley’s hilarious article about her personal struggles with a bush-turkey, you can read it here.
cheers,
Michelle
Save the Date
This coming week 5th – 9th February
Tue 6th: Departmental Meeting; 1.00pm – 2.00pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room). Lunch will be provided from 12.30.
Tue 6th: MolSci Department Seminar – Professor Pauline Rudd: The Glycobiology of Cancer; 1.00pm – 2.00pm; F7B-422.
Wed 7th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11.30am; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).
Thu Feb 8th: E8A AV Make-up Induction; 9.30am – 10.10am; E8A-120.
Thu Feb 8th: Key Thinkers Key Concepts 2018: The Scholarly Gaze; 10.30am – 12.00pm; PG Price Theatre, 23WW.
Next week 12th – 16th February
Tue 13th: E8C Digital Teaching Labs Induction; 9 – 11.30am; E8C-106.
Wed 14th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11.30am; The Hill.
Thu 15th: E8A AV Make-up Induction; 9.30am – 10.10am; E8A-120.
Thu 15th: Engaging technologies: ALP, MEAP & PLD with Kath & Fidel; 2.00pm – 3:30pm; E8C212 (sign up here).
Fri 16th: F7B Digital Lab Induction; 10.30am – 12.00pm; 9.30 – 11.30am; F7B-108 & 105.
Coming up
Tue Feb 20th: E8A AV Make-up Induction; 9.30am – 10.10am; E8A-120
Thu Feb 22nd: E8A Digital Teaching Labs Induction; 9 – 12.00pm; E8A-129 & 150 (Red and Blue Labs).
Thu Feb 22nd: Research Enrichment Program ‘Launch Event 2018’; All Morning; Level 8 of 12 Wally’s Walk (E7A).
Tues Apr 17th: Commitment, engagement and learning in a large cohort of students by Maruizio Manuguerra; 1-2pm; E8C212 for (sign up here).
General News and Announcements
RESEARCH OUTCOMES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Poster Award – British Ecological Society and the Corresponding Publication
Congratulations to PhD student Rene Heim, supervised by Ian Wright, for winning the prize for best student poster at the recent Ecology Across Borders conference in Ghent, Belgium. Rene’s poster was titled “Multiscale Remote Sensing of Plant Pathogens: Detecting Myrtle Rust in Australia” and was judged the best from over 320 entries! You can read about it here. The first paper from his PhD has also just been accepted at Plant Pathology.
Student Research Grants
The Australian Wildlife Society University Research Grants are scholarships offered to honours or postgraduate students at Australian universities. Each year, ten $1,500 grants are awarded. Applicants must be a member of the Society, and those wishing to join can do so at http://www.aws.org.au/
Grants are available for research projects of direct relevance to the conservation of Australian wildlife – plant or animal. Grants may be used for the purchase of equipment and consumables, travel expenses related to field research, or attendance at conferences at which you are presenting your work. The grant is paid direct to the student. Application forms available at http://www.aws.org.au/
Val Williams Scholarship in Botany
Applicants would be undertaking scientific research at the Honours, Masters or PhD levels. The research should contribute to the knowledge, conservation or propagation of *Australian native plant species* in the Sydney or surrounding regions.
The *North Shore Group *of*Australian Plants Society NSW* awarded the inaugural $2,000 scholarship in 2009 and since then eleven scholars have used their scholarship money to augment their research. It has been increased to *$3,000 for Round Ten in 2018*. Application forms are attached or can be downloaded from our web site at https://austplants.com.au/North-Shore
*Applications close on 9th March 2018*and the successful applicant will be notified by 6th April 2018. An independent selection committee of three North Shore Group members will have the responsibility of selecting the recipient. Please publicise our Scholarship to your biological sciences research units and other staff of local universities and to prospective students. In addition, a complementary one-year membership of Australian Plants Society sponsored by Australian Plants Society NSW will be offered to the successful applicant. For more information, contact the Convener, Val Williams Scholarship in Botany, Australian Plants Society North Shore Group, Phone: 91445600 (0419 323 035), E-mail: <scholarship@blandfordia.org.au>
The NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee (FSC) is now accepting applications for their 2018 round of Student Research Grants
The FSC has available $3,000 to fund 1-2 student projects, aimed at filling gaps in research information for threatened and rare species of fish and marine vegetation in NSW. The grants are intended for use by undergraduate 3rd year major project students, or as part of an Honours, Masters or PhD project.
The FSC assesses nominations for the listing (or de-listing) of threatened species, populations and ecological communities of fish and marine vegetation in NSW, and key threatening processes. This task relies on the availability of up-to-date scientific data on species distribution, abundance, habitat and ecology. Projects funded through the Student Research Grants provide the FSC with information on threatened fish and marine vegetation species and communities in NSW to help support their listing or de-listing. This information may also assist in managing species recovery through initiatives undertaken by NSW Department of Primary Industries.
How to apply
Visit the FSC website to access the online application form. Applicants should read the Student Research Grants Terms and Conditions, and the Information for Applicants available on the website prior to commencing their Application. Any questions should be directed to the FSC’s Executive Officer at <fsc@dpi.nsw.gov.au>
Applications close 11.59 pm (AEDT) on Friday 16 February 2018.
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
MolSci Department Seminar Tue 6 Feb 1pm in F7B-422 – Professor Pauline Rudd: The Glycobiology of Cancer
Speaker: Professor Pauline Rudd from National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT), Ireland and BTI, A-Star, Singapore
Abstract: When cells become cancerous their glycoprotein products are usually found to have altered glycans. Since glycosylation involves more than 600 different proteins and numerous pathways it is challenging to determine the processes which lead to these changes and the potential effects of altered protein glycosylation in the patient. We have developed technologies that give us detailed, semi-automated analytical data and insights into how altered glycosylation is linked to protein, lipid and genetic alterations. In a project focused towards personalised medicine we are beginning to collect large data sets from individual patients in order to map pathways, disease progression and markers as well as to identify which patients will respond to particular treatments.
Research Enrichment Program ‘Launch Event 2018’
Come along and see what the Research Enrichment Program is about and it’s menu of offerings for 2018. Everyone is warmly welcome:
Morning of Thursday the 22nd February, level 8 of 12Wally’s Walk (E7A).
Tea/Coffee and biscuits will be provided.
‘Key Thinkers Key Concepts’ 2018: The Scholarly Gaze
Thursday, 8 February 2018 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Research is a process of seeing, seeing something new or seeing something old in a new way. We don’t just see with our eyes, we see with our brains. In research, we recruit a variety of technologies for seeing. We can use machines to help us see – either to magnify what is too small, to bring closer what is too far, or to look inside ourselves and the other creatures and things we study. We set up experiments to provoke a process which we can watch unfold under laboratory conditions. We observe natural processes in their natural eco-social environments. We use made-up ideas – what we call theories – which help us get a better view of what we are studying.
Our panel of speakers across different disciplines will talk about the process of seeing in research. They will tell us about “how they see” in the process of research – what kinds of technologies and theories help them to do the best research they can do.
Our panel discussion and question session will be followed by a light lunch where you can stay and meet other Macquarie staff and students. Lunch will include vegan and gluten free options. Please register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/key-thinkers-key-concepts-2018-the-scholarly-gaze-tickets-41470932676
Confirmed speakers: Professor Ewa Goldys, A/Professor Jen Cornish, A/Prof Kevin Brooks, A/Prof Goran Štrkalj
ADMIN THINGS
Terrestrial Fieldwork in the Interim
Nick Harris is currently acting Fieldwork Manager, see him for all your fieldwork queries and inductions. He will be off campus and unavailable to deliver new fieldwork inductions between 5th and 19th of February, however still contactable via email or phone. Please see Tarun Rajan should have any urgent fieldwork requirements during this time.
Photo Competition – February 2018 – Two Chances a Year to Win a $100 Gift Card
This month’s theme is BIOLOGY 2017.
Looking for photos from any events, activities, team photos, plants, animals or anything else of interest. Remember you must have taken the photo in 2017.
Your images could be used on our Department website, in this newsletter and on our social media. The two lucky winners a year will each receive a $100 Gift Card! A winner will be announced at the Biology EOY party and another in early April.
Criteria
- photo captured in 2017
- must provide caption information including details of what/where/who/date
- all photos must have been taken by you
Please provide the details to <jenny.ghabache@mq.edu.au> and the follow the drop box file request link to submit your images.
Submission close: 28 February 2018
You can enter as many photos as you like.
Changes to HoD sign off for HDR/MRes Documents
Do you require sign-off for HDR or MRes forms and documents?
All forms such as nomination of examiners, supervisor memos, thesis corrections etc, no longer come through to our HoD Michelle Leishman for signing.
What do you need to do?
Please send an email with a soft copy (PDF or Word file) attachment through to the following delegates for approval/signature. Please remember to CC Jenny Ghabache on the email. Please note that hardcopies will no longer be accepted at the HoD office.
HDR documents – Culum Brown
MRes documents – Grant Hose
Recurring Room Bookings – Contact Admin to Re-book for 2018
We still have some recurring room bookings within Biological Sciences (E8A280, E8B215, E8C212) that were set up some time ago. Please contact admin (fse.bio-adm@mq.edu.au) to re-book your recurring meetings for 2018 – for those who have already done this, thank you. Any meetings that have not been re-booked before the end of February will be deleted from the calendar.
As a courtesy, if you know you will not be using a room in your usual time, please let us know – particularly during busy periods (e.g. exams), when many rooms are needed.
2018 Wall Calendars/Planners available in Biol HoD reception (E8C 206)
These have finally arrived! If you would like a wall planner for 2018, please collect one from HoD reception.
Are you getting credit for your Outreach Activities? Have participated in an activity for Biology recently?
Don’t forget to fill in the super-quick form here – ACCESS OUTREACH FORM HERE
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Congratulations to our lecturers who received great student feedback
Glenn Brock, Matt Bulbert and Martin Whiting all received an average Learner Experience of the Unit score of over 4 for each of their respective units BIOL381 Evolutionary Palaeobiology, BIOL391 Biological Sciences Capstone and BIOL328 Animal Communication – well done!
Upcoming Department L&T special seminars:
- Thurs 15th Feb: Engaging technologies: ALP, MEAP & PLD with Kath & Fidel; 2-3:30pm; E8C212 (sign up here).
- Tues 17th April: Commitment, engagement and learning in a large cohort of students by Maurizio Manuguerra; 1-2pm; E8C212 for (sign up here).
Sessional teaching position available in S2
We are seeking a sessional staff member to convene and deliver a large 200-level planet unit, BIOL260 Science of Sex, in S2 2018. The successful applicant will be required to organise and deliver all aspects of the unit, including delivering lectures and co-ordinating guest lectures, marking assessments, answering student enquiries and maintaining the iLearn page. While the position mostly entails work during S2 (i.e. August –November 2018), some unit organisation before the start of S2 will also be necessary. Applicants should have at least 2 years tertiary teaching experience, and significant knowledge in the areas of animal behaviour and/or reproductive biology would also be helpful.
If you are interested, please send a CV with cover letter by Feb 16th to the Head of Department fse.bio-hod@mq.edu.au
Advanced Biology PACE Projects
Advanced Science students enrolled in BIOL388 are required to complete a research project as part of the PACE requirements of the unit. As we are expecting a large enrollment of students in BIOL388 this year, we are aiming to provide students with project ideas that fit the unit requirements. We are particularly looking for projects that are suitable for small groups of students (2-3 students per supervisor).
If you have a small research project that would be suitable for bright and enthusiastic undergraduates, please email Koa Webster (koa.webster@mq.edu.au) and she will send you a brief template to provide more information about the project.
Projects will be advertised to students from mid-March. The deadline for submitting project information to Koa is Monday 5th March.
Disruptions to Studies is Now Special Consideration
Special Consideration policy replaces the Disruptions to Studies policy from S1 2018. Please see policy and procedure here.
Echo 365 – ALP Changes & iLearn Workshop
The Echo356 block needs to be deleted from your unit and the Active Learning Platform (ALP) block needs to be added then connected to your unit. Don’t worry though, I have you covered! I am organising a workshop on February 15th to help you do this. Fidel and I will show you the wonders of the ALP (ever wanted to use “clickers” in the classroom?), some other really cool engagement software for getting students to turn up and work harder and we will be there to help you sort out any other iLearn issues before Session 1 starts.
- iLearn Workshop – Engaging software: MEAP and PLD and ALP, with Kath (Thursday 15th February 2-3:30pm, E8C212) sign up here.
SUSTAINABILITY
World Wetlands Day 2018
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the international Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
Did you know Macquarie Uni has its own wetland, with lots of plants and animals to study?
Read the attached pdf for more information. World Wetlands Day
JOB POSITIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Senior Scientific Officer (Terrestrial) Position @ Biological Sciences MQU
We need a new Terrestrial Feildwork Manager. If you or someone you know would suit this role, please see the full job discretion and requirements for application on the main MQU website. Applications close February 25.
A Free Online Career Management Course for Research Students and Research Staff
Announcement from the HDR Learning Skills iLearn unit (Sally Purcell)
A new online course (MOOC) for research students and research staff has just opened for bookings: Career Management for Early Career Academic Researchers. It aims to support researchers to explore their career options and make career plans.
Through a series of articles, videos, discussions, and reflective exercises, researchers will be encouraged to consider what they want out of a career; to explore the academic career path and many other career options; and to increase their confidence in job search and applications.
In part of the course there is a focus on the academic job market in the UK, which may be of interest to researchers in other countries. However, most of the course will be of relevance to researchers wherever they are based.
DANTA Tropical Biology Field Courses 2018
Do you have an interest in wildlife, tropical ecology and/or conservation? Are you looking to gain valuable field experience? Would you like to learn about other cultures? Would you like to learn more about yourself?
DANTA is pleased to announce our 2018 field courses in tropical biology. Our course are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical ecosystems and conservation, but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Participants may enroll on either a credit or non-credit basis. DANTA operates on a cooperative and collaborative teaching model with multiple international instructors on each course. Co-instruction allows for more individualized instruction, and the sharing and appreciation of different ideas. Visiting scholars are often incorporated into the curriculum to broaden student experience.
As much of our advertising is done by word-of-mouth, we encourage you to spread the word by forwarding this information to students or friends who may be interested in our programs.
For more information, please visit our website at www.DANTA.info and/or email conservation@danta.info. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For an alumni perspective on our programs, please see our new blog DANTAisms http://dantablog.wordpress.com/
BLOGS AND OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST
Arabic translation of ‘A Primer of Conservation Genetics’
A contract has been negotiated with Cambridge University Press for an Arabic translation of ‘A Primer of Conservation Genetics’ (authors Dick Frankham, Jon Ballou and David Briscoe). The translator(s) have not been revealed to the authors. The translation is expected to take 2 years.
Scientists Are Writing Honest Reviews of Amazon Products, And They’re Just So Good
#reviewforscience
Spare PC
There is a spare PC at the Bio Research Park. It is Sci-IT secondhand stock so comes as is, without support, although there does not appear to be any faults apart from each user having to install their own Printers on their own login. It is running Window 10 on an Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.4 GHz with 8 GB RAM. Come to collect from Robby Miller’s office W19E, x4109.
New Publications
Localized zinc distribution in shark vertebrae suggests differential deposition during ontogeny and across vertebral structures’
By: Raoult, Vincent, Nicholas Howell, David Zahra, Victor M. Peddemors, Daryl L. Howard, Martin D. de Jonge, Benjamin L. Buchan, and Jane E. Williamson. PloS one 13, no. 1 (2018): e0190927. | Find with Google Scholar »Measuring the embryonic heart rate of wild birds: An opportunity to take the pulse on early development
By: Sheldon, Elizabeth L., Luke SC McCowan, Callum S. McDiarmid, and Simon C. Griffith. The Auk 135, no. 1 (2017): 71-82. | Find with Google Scholar »Envisioning the Future of Aquatic Animal Tracking: Technology, Science, and Application (vol 67, pg 884, 2017)
By: Lennox, R.J., Aarestrup, K., Cooke, S.J., Cowley, P.D., Deng, Z.D., Fisk, A.T., Harcourt, R.G., Heupel, M., Hinch, S.G., Holland, K.N. and Hussey, N.E., 2017. BioScience, 67(10), pp.884-896. | Find with Google Scholar »A multi-species synthesis of physiological mechanisms in drought-induced tree mortality
By: Adams, H.D., Zeppel, M.J., Anderegg, W.R., Hartmann, H., Landhäusser, S.M., Tissue, D.T., Huxman, T.E., Hudson, P.J., Franz, T.E., Allen, C.D. and Anderegg, L.D., 2017. Nature ecology & evolution, 1(9), p.1285. | Find with Google Scholar »Individual Ranging Behaviour Patterns in Commercial Free-Range Layers as Observed through RFID Tracking
By: Larsen, Hannah, Greg M. Cronin, Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich, Carolynn L. Smith, Paul H. Hemsworth, and Jean-Loup Rault. Animals 7, no. 3 (2017): 21. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Kathryn Korbel was interviewed by ABC New England
Kathryn Korbel from the Department of Biological Sciences was interviewed by ABC New England on the health of ground water dependent ecosystems in the Namoi and Gwydir valleys. See page 1 of the report.
Rob Harcourt featured in ABC online
Professor Rob Harcourt from the Department of Biological Sciences featured in ABC online in relation to new data mapping the movements of Australian marine life over the past decade, which will provide insight into how climate change might affect sea animal behaviour.
Lesley Hughes contributed to an article in the Sunday Age, the Sun Herald and The Canberra Times.
Professor Lesley Hughes from the Department of Biological Sciences contributed the article ‘Talking Turkey: A battle of wills began when a brush turkey took up residence in Lesley Hughes’s garden’ to the Sunday Age, the Sun Herald and The Canberra Times.