Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people’s perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours
By: Strain, E.M.A., Alexander, K.A., Kienker, S., Morris, R., Jarvis, R., Coleman, R., Bollard, B., Firth, L.B., Knights, A.M., Grabowski, J.H. and Airoldi, L., 2019. Science of The Total Environment, 658, pp.1293-1305. | Find with Google Scholar »
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Hi all,
It’s been a busy week with Welcome to HDRs morning tea, the Early Career Researchers lunch and kick-off meeting for the year, the first Department meeting of the year, and the Biology Social Club gathering. I encourage everyone to come along to department meetings to find out what is happening around the Department and to join in all the activities that are happening.
The presentation from Tuesday’s Department meeting can be found here. On the last page is the draft of the Department’s Cultural Statement that has been developed by the Diversity & Inclusion committee. Please have a look and provide any feedback to Mariella or myself.
Enjoy the photos from Raf’s retirement send-off!
Cheers,
Michelle
– click thumbnail for larger image –
Save the Date
This coming week 11th – 15th February
Wed 13th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11am; 205b Culloden Rd, Dining Area.
Thu 14th: REP – MQRF Showcase; 9.00am – 12.30pm; level 1 lecture theatre, Australian Hearing Hub building, Macquarie University.
Fri 15th: 4WW (F7B) Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9.30am – 11:30am; 4WW (F7B) – 105.
Fri 15th: Engaging Software Workshop – Kath McClellan; 10am – 11:30am; 6WW (E8C) – 212.
Following week 18th – 22nd February
Mon 18th: HDR Supplementary Conference, 11:30am-12, Biology Tea Room (14 Eastern Road 280), Interviews: 2:30-4pm.
Please see Conference Booklet (will be updated as abstracts are submitted)
Tue 19th: 14EAR (E8A) Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9.00am – 12:00pm; 14EAR (E8A) – 120 (Red Lab).
Wed 20th: 6WW (E8C) Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9.00am – 11:30am; 6WW (E8C) – 106. **please note the new date**
Wed 20th: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11am; 14EAR(E8A)-280 (Biology Tea Room).
Fri 15th: 4WW (F7B) Digital Teaching Lab Induction; 9.30am – 11:30am; 4WW (F7B) – 105.
Future Events
June 11th-13th: HDR Conference 2019, 9am-1pm, Panel Interviews: 2-5pm; venue TBD – Save the date!
General News and Announcements
Research Enrichment program finishes up
Dear biologists,
It is with regret that we inform you that the Research Enrichment Program is no longer running. Uncertainty of funding for the Research Enrichment Program in 2019 and beyond means that we can no longer run the Program.
This e-mail is to thank you all for your support and engagement with the Research Enrichment Program. Together we have achieved many excellent collaborative activities and outcomes from which outputs are still to come. You have all contributed to something bigger than your own research areas and we hope you feel an enhanced sense of connectedness to your fellow researchers within Biology and across the other Faculties as a result.
The last Research Enrichment Program activity will be the MQRF showcase run by Adam Dunn, Maria Kangas and MQ Research Services on the 14th of February (https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mqrf-showcase-tickets-54913402465), which we hope you can attend.
We wish you all the very best in your future endeavours,
Marie Herberstein and the Research Enrichment Program Executive Committee.
Royal Society Award Talk by Fiona McDougall – On Wednesday 6th Feb, PhD student Fiona McDougall presented a talk to the Royal Society of New South Wales on her PhD research, entitled “Human-associated bacteria and antibiotic resistance in grey-headed flying foxes”. Fiona was a recipient of one of the Royal Society’s 2018 Scholarships. The Royal Society of New South Wales Scholarships recognise outstanding achievements by individuals working towards a research degree in a science-related field within New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.
Fiona’s presentation was extremely well received and led to lots of interesting discussions at the meeting and the dinner that followed. She received a medal (see picture) as well as complimentary membership of the society, in addition to the $500 scholarship. The Faculty of Science and Engineering was represented at the evening by the Deputy Dean, Professor Bernard Mans. – click thumbnail for larger image –
Have you completed the MQ Inclusion Survey? – The FSE inclusion survey can be accessed here:
https://mqedu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezm6mqVZkOhnonX
This survey has been designed to help us understand Macquarie’s current culture and provide information to help us to continue to build a community that is diverse, inclusive and where all staff are able to flourish. The data from this survey will enable our Department and the University to identify where progress is being made but also where further work and changes are needed to ensure all staff at MQ are supported, safe and treated equitably. An overview of the results and responses to the data will also be shared with the university community. Analysis will be conducted by the Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Team. Responses and personal details gathered in the course of the survey will remain anonymous. No data will be shared or made available where individuals can be identified. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Please take some time to respond to this survey as your feedback will be extremely valuable to our department and to the University. For more information on the survey, please see that attached FAQs, or contact the Workplace Diversity & inclusion team – <workplacediversityinclusion@mq.edu.au>.
Plant of the Week* – click the images for larger versions –
Magnolia champaca forms a large tree of up to 50m at maturity. It is native to the Indomalaya ecozone, consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia−Indochina, and southern China. It is difficult to establish its origin more precisely as its economic and cultural values have ensured it has been widely planted over this entire region for centuries. The flowers are yellow/orange and heavily scented and much used in temples and domestically.
*Prepared by Roger Hiller
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Biological Sciences Seminar – Date/Time: Friday, 27th February, 2019; 1pm – 2pm. Speaker: Professor Jutta Schneider, University of Hamburg. Title: Sex specific plasticity in life-history and the mating system of Nephila senegalensis. Venue: 14EAR-280 (Biology Tea Room). More information on this and all department seminars ON OUR WEBPAGE HERE.
MolSci Seminar – Date/Time: Tuesday, 12th February, 2019; 1pm – 2pm. Speaker: Professor Reto Dorta, School of Molecular Sciences, the University of Western Australia. Title: Exploring Iridium Complexes; From Bond Activations to their Use as Catalysts in Asymmetric Hydroamination Reactions. Venue: 4WW 322 seminar room. For more, visit: https://goto.mq/6s
Take 2! – Date/Time: Tuesday, 19th February, 2019; 1pm – 2pm. Speaker: Dr Fabien Plisson from National Laboratory in Genomics for Biodiversity, LANGEBIO, Mexico. Title: Machine Learning in Drug Discovery: Can marine-derived kinase inhibitors pass the blood-brain barrier? Venue: 4WW 322 seminar room. For more, visit: https://goto.mq/6q
Behaviour and Evolution Journal Club – every Friday at 12:30 (bring your lunch).
What: discussion of a recent (or not-so-recent) journal article in behavioural or evolutionary (or ecological) research. There is also the opportunity to discuss any aspects of how we do or should do science. Held in the 205B Culloden Rd Boardroom, i.e. the big meeting room in the new building up the hill.
Who: anyone ready to get critical of or inspired by some science (and preferably has read that week’s paper)
Upcoming papers:
Friday 8th Feb: Young, R. L., Ferkin, M. H., Ockendon-Powell, N. F., Orr, V. N., Phelps, S. M., Pogány, Á., et al. (2019). Conserved transcriptomic profiles underpin monogamy across vertebrates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(4), 1331–1336. http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1813775116
Send Callum McDiarmid (Griffith Lab) an email <callum.mcdiarmid@hdr.mq.edu.au> to get on the mailing list.
Register your interest for Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training – delivered by Phil Duncan from Walanga Muru. The Manawari – “Respect, Reciprocity & Relationships workshops are focussed on creating a greater understanding of cultural values, knowledge and perspectives that will lead to greater cultural sensitivity.
This will take the University forward with a more supportive environment that is culturally safe, defined by shared respect, meaning, knowledge and experience in learning together with dignity and genuine listening. Macquarie University is committed to increasing the capabilities of both staff and students leading to a greater appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal cultural values, history, beliefs, practices, knowledge and philosophies. The University has clearly reinforced its commitment to create a campus that is truly supportive of Aboriginal staff, students and visitors.
There are two components to the training – Online – must be completed at least 4 days prior to the Face 2 Face Workshop. Staff must complete the online component prior to participating in the Face 2 Face workshop.
We encourage staff to come to the Face 2 Face workshop with a “wondering mind’ and a sense to having some fun.
To register your interest in attending please respond to the following Doodle Poll, please indicate all times/dates that you are available to attend the Face 2 Face workshop – https://doodle.com/poll/awwk9n2ftb8bhxi3
Please respond to this survey by Friday, 15 February 2019. Workshop size is limited so please respond quickly to secure your spot. Once the date is set, Jenny Ghabache will be in touch to arrange access to the online component of the workshop.
MQRF Showcase: Thursday 14th February 2019 (9:00am to 12:30pm), level 1 lecture theatre, Australian Hearing Hub building, Macquarie University.
The MQRF Showcase will celebrate Macquarie University research talent supported by the Macquarie University Research Fellowship scheme. It will also offer postgraduate students, ECRs, and potential supervisors of MQRFs extra insight into the process and the value of the scheme. Twelve current Macquarie University Research Fellows will present their research projects and participate in panel discussions discussing their experiences with the fellowship from application through to managing their programs of research since. The schedule of the event is attached. Please register here for the MQRF Showcase:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mqrf-showcase-tickets-54913402465
Adam Dunn, Maria Kangas, MQ Research Services and the Research Enrichment Program
Engaging Software Workshop – Kath McClennan
Come learn how to use ALP, iLearn Insights, MEAP, PLD and other technologies to engage your students!
E8C212 meeting room, Friday 15 February 2019, 10-11:30am.
Registrations open for Wildlife Translocation Health Symposium in February 2019 – The Symposium will provide a comprehensive review of the health disciplines that should be taken into consideration during translocations and intensive wildlife management actions, along with some key note addresses about the ecology of translocations and disease ecology. Carl Jones, Chief Scientist with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, will be delivering the translocation ecology keynote. Carl has extensive experience with intensive wildlife recovery programs on Mauritius, Africa and the UK.
Personal meetings can be organised with ecologist Carl Jones the following morning for select personnel who are involved in wildlife translocation or similar intensive management.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Environmental Research Program Grants Now Open – The NSW Environmental Trust is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to its Research Program. The closing time and date for Research EOIs is 3pm 11 March 2019. This year’s Research Program is offering grants up to $200,000 primarily for applied research relating to the following priority areas:
1. Mechanisms for social engagement
2. Resource management
3. Landscape management
4. Wetlands and river systems
Applicants must demonstrate a collaborative approach that engages end-users from the outset of their proposal, through to dissemination of research findings. Program information: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/research.htm.
Questions? Please contact <info@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au>
HDR FUNDING
PhD students: got a grant? Dept. will co-fund up to $1500 – The Department would like to encourage students to seek external sources of funding, and has a small budget with which support successful candidates. New limits from 2019: PhD students ONLY: Dept. will match up to $1500 of external (non-MQ) funding ONCE per candidate.
Unfortunately, due to budget cuts at the Faculty level, the Department will not be able to provide this funding to MRes students. If you have received a grant (student is chief investigator) and wish to request co-funding, please forward a copy of the award letter to <sharyon.odonnell@mq.edu.au> and <julian.may@mq.edu.au>.
Val Williams Scholarship in Botany – Applications are invited from scholars 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 thirteen scholars have used their scholarship money to augment their research. It amounts to $3,000 for Round Eleven in 2019.
Application forms are attached or can be downloaded from our web site at
Applications close on 8th March 2019 and the successful applicant will be notified by 5th April 2019. In addition, a complementary one-year membership of Australian Plants Society sponsored by Australian Plants Society NSW will be offered to the successful applicant.
VWS Application Form 2019
VWS Application Form 2019
VWS Applic Information 2019
Applications for STEP’s John Martyn Research Grant for the Conservation of Bushland in Sydney are welcomed from Honours, Masters and PhD students. The value of the grant is $2,500. To apply, complete the attached application form electronically, save it and email it to <secretary@step.org.au> by 31 March 2019. We will announce the winner by 7 April 2019. For more information go to http://step.org.au/index.php/grants and if you have any queries, please email <secretary@step.org.au>.
If you are, or supervise, a female PhD candidate who is an Aust citizen or permanent resident, please take a look at these Fellowships:
The 2019 Barbara Hale Fellowships and the 2019 Georgina Sweet Fellowship will close to applications on the 30th April 2019.
The 2019 AFGW Barbara Hale Fellowships are offered to women graduates who are Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia and are enrolled for a PhD degree by research in any discipline at an Australian university. Only citizens of Australia or Australian permanent residents may apply. In 2019, two (2) AFGW Barbara Hale Fellowships will be offered at $7500 each.
The 2019 AFGW Georgina Sweet Fellowship is offered to women graduates who are Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia and are enrolled for a PhD degree by research in any discipline at an Australian university. Only citizens of Australia or Australian permanent residents may apply.
Workshops Calendar – See my Researcher Development Calendar
myRDC allows anyone to filter and search workshops offered across the University – including training for academics who supervise HDR students.
Australian Plant Society Scholarships – Applications are now invited from scholars 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 thirteen scholars have used their scholarship money to augment their research. It amounts to $3,000 for Round Eleven in 2019. Application forms are attached or can be downloaded from our web site at 
https://austplants.com.au/NS-4
Applications close on 8th March 2019 and the successful applicant will be notified by 5th April 2019. An independent selection committee of three North Shore Group members will have the responsibility of selecting the recipient. VWS Applic Information 2019 VWS Application Form 2019 VWS Application Form 2019
Are you a HDR student? Need help with writing? – HDR Mentors in collaboration with HDR Learning Skills is running another round of Peer Writing Assistance (PWA) for the rest of the year! This program is designed to support MRES and HDR candidates in managing thesis writing and research-related concerns. All peer writing assistants have undergone training for their role and are current PhD candidates at Macquarie. Registrations are now open for individual consultation bookings. If you are interested, please go to book in for a 30-minute session with a PWA. If you have questions about the PWA program please email hdrmentors@mq.edu.au>.
ADMIN THINGS
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ON LEAVE OVER XMAS – legacy (guttenburg) printing ended last year. You must set up iPrint ASAP if you have not done so already, and update your campus card (old fobs will not work) if you use an old fob or old campus card. If you have trouble setting up the iPrint drivers on your computer, please contact FSE IT for assistance.
Faculty Staff (Professional & Academic) Travel Grants – grants for staff travel are now provided centrally by the Faculty. Funding is available for ECR travel, international collaboration, teaching and professional staff development. If you would like to apply, please discuss with your supervisor and the Andrew Barron (for research travel) or Drew Allen (for teaching travel). Research Eligibility and application details can be found here.
https://staff.mq.edu.au/intranet/science-and-engineering/faculty-awards,-schemes-and-procedures
Two rounds remain for the rest of the year:
– Round 2 closes Friday 31 May 2019
– Round 3 closes Friday 27 September 2019
Apply as soon as possible for any travel you intend on taking in 2018, that meets the criteria. Funds awarded must be spent in 2019 and will not be carried into 2020.
Not receiving general emails? – We have had some trouble with the email lists. If you or anyone you know seems to have dropped off the email lists to receive department seminar notices, Department Matters, etc, please email or drop in to see Jenny Ghabache in the admin office.
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
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.
THIS AND THAT
Accommodation Wanted for Cotutelle PhD Student – Isabelle (3rd year Marine Ecology) is looking for share house accommodation for 1 year in Sydney, starting in May (preferably in the Manly area, but basically she would be more than happy with any room at all!!). She is Dutch, doesn’t mind pets, is a non-smoker, loves diving and spends her spare time doing sports and being outdoors. Please contact her if you have any accommodation, questions or extra tips on <i.b.c.van.der.ouderaa@rug.nl>
Shark and Marine Research Institute and Volunteer Programme – The SMRI is an NPO that is dedicated to protecting and conserving shark and ray populations, and safeguarding the health and vitality of our oceans. They have an exciting opportunity available for students or post-graduates who are looking to gain some hands on experience in the field of marine biology (and particularly elasmo branch research) by volunteering with our organisation in Gansbaai, South Africa – the great white shark capital of the world.
They are currently recruiting volunteers for 2019 & 2020! Positions are available for a period of one to three months; longer stays are subject to additional visa requirements. To learn more please click on the link below:
https://www.sharkcagedive.com/research/overview/
Alternatively, please email <volunteer@sharkcagedive.com> or <info@sharkcagedive.com>.
Position Available on Daydream Island – Aquarist job vacancy is currently being advertised on the SEEK website and applications from suitably trained and experienced marine science graduates are highly encouraged. A Reef Attendant role will likewise be advertised shortly.
https://www.seek.com.au/job/38251208
Title: BirdLife Australia Volunteering – The BirdLife Discovery Centre in Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park, is looking for volunteers. The Discovery Centre is open on the weekends from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm. There are no live birds but plenty of displays of stuffed ones; lots of things for kids to do and short videos to watch. There is also live streaming on the internet of the White-bellied Sea Eagles’ nest in the forest behind the Discovery Centre. There is also a free guided bird walk the last Sunday of each month commencing at the Visitors Centre next to the bicycle hire at the wharf. Some knowledge of the common, local Australian birds would be required.
If interested please contact the volunteer coordinator Deborah Harris via email <daisyproctor@yahoo.co.uk>.
BLOGS AND OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST
The Corporatization of Universities: two high-profile opinions:
- The Guardian – Advertising versus Quality:
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/jan/22/weekly-letters-the-devils-choice
- Nature – Getting paid for your publications! The South African experience
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00120-1
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>
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.
- Keep your submission short and direct (two paragraphs) and if possible provide a document, email or link where readers can get more information. Any long submissions will be cropped.
Keeping to these guidelines will streamline your article’s addition to the newsletter. Thank you.
Have You Missed Out on an Issue of Department Matters? Back issues can be found at this newsletter archive link for your reading pleasure.
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New Publications
Implementation strategies for systematic conservation planning
By: Adams, Vanessa M., Morena Mills, Rebecca Weeks, Daniel B. Segan, Robert L. Pressey, Georgina G. Gurney, Craig Groves, Frank W. Davis, and Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero. Ambio (2018): 1-14. | Find with Google Scholar »Unicellular Cyanobacteria Are Important Components of Phytoplankton Communities in Australia’s Northern Oceanic Ecoregions
By: Moore, Lisa R., TaoTao Huang, Martin Ostrowski, Sophie Mazard, Sheemal Kumar, Hasinika Kalhari Ariyaratne Hewawasam Gamage, Mark V. Brown, Lauren Frances Messer, Justin Robert Seymour, and Ian T. Paulsen. Frontiers in Microbiology 9 (2018): 3356. | Find with Google Scholar »Co-occurring secondary foundation species have distinct effects on the recruitment and survival of associated organisms
By: Vozzo, Maria L., and Melanie J. Bishop. Marine Ecology Progress Series 608 (2019): 61-72. | Find with Google Scholar »Experimental ethology of learning in desert ants: Becoming expert navigators
By: Freas, Cody A., Pauline N. Fleischmann, and Ken Cheng. Behavioural processes (2018). | Find with Google Scholar »Is xylem of angiosperm leaves less resistant to embolism than branches? Insights from microCT, hydraulics, and anatomy
By: Klepsch, M., Zhang, Y., Kotowska, M.M., Lamarque, L.J., Nolf, M., Schuldt, B., Torres-Ruiz, J.M., Qin, D.W., Choat, B., Delzon, S. and Scoffoni, C., 2018. Journal of Experimental Botany, 69(22), pp.5611-5623. | Find with Google Scholar »Hidden diversity and evolution of viruses in market fish
By: Geoghegan, Jemma L., Francesca Di Giallonardo, Kate Cousins, Mang Shi, Jane E. Williamson, and Edward C. Holmes. Virus evolution 4, no. 2 (2018): vey031. | Find with Google Scholar »Australian bat lyssavirus
By: Merritt, Tony, Taylor, Kathryn, Cox-Witton, Keren, Field, Hume, Wingett, Kate, Mendez, Diana, Power, Michelle and Durrheim, David. 2018. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Pages: 93-96. | Find with Google Scholar »Context-specific response inhibition and differential impact of a learning bias in a lizard
By: Szabo, Birgit, Daniel WA Noble, and Martin J. Whiting. Animal Cognition (2019): 1-13. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Culum Brown provided comment to ABC News
Professor Culum Brown from the Department of Biological Sciences provided comment to ABC News about fish recognising themselves in a mirror.
Adam Stow was featured in the Northern District Times
Associate Professor Adam Stow from the Department of Biological Sciences was featured in the Northern District Times regarding the declining population of grey nurse sharks.
Lesley Hughes was featured in The Guardian
Distinguished Professor Lesley Hughes from the Department of Biological Sciences was featured in The Guardian regarding how Australian summer sports could be affected by climate change.
Andrew Barron contributed to The Conversation and Australasian Science Magazine
Associate Professor Andrew Barron from the Department of Biological Sciences contributed the article ‘Bees can learn the difference between European and Australian Indigenous art styles in a single afternoon’ to The Conversation and Australasian Science Magazine.
Rick Shine was interviewed on ABC Capricornia Breakfast
Professor Rick Shine from the Department of Biological Sciences was interviewed on ABC Capricornia Breakfast regarding methods of eradicating cane toads.