BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | January 26, 2018

Dear all,

Welcome back to all students and staff for 2018 and to the first biology newsletter of the year – I hope that you all had a happy and restful break with friends and family and are ready for the challenges and opportunities offered by 2018! This week’s newsletter is packed with information and upcoming activities.

cheers,

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 29th January – 2nd February

Tue 30th: R Users Group; 3pm – 5pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 31st: Department Morning Tea; 10.30am – 11.30am; The Hill.

Thu 1st: Departmental Thursday Drinks; 4.00pm – 6.00pm; The E8 Courtyard.

Next week 5th – 9th February

Tue 6th:  E8A AV Make-up Induction; 9.30am – 10.10am; E8A-120.

Tue 6th:  Departmental Meeting; 1.00pm – 2.00pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

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.

Coming up

Tue Feb 13th: E8C Digital Teaching Labs Induction; 9 – 11.30am; E8C-106.

Thu Feb 15th: E8A AV Make-up Induction; 9.30am – 10.10am; E8A-120.

Thu Feb 15th: Engaging technologies: ALP, MEAP & PLD with Kath & Fidel; 2.00pm – 3:30pm; E8C212 (sign up here).

Fri Feb 16th: F7B Digital Teaching Labs Induction; 9.30 – 11.30am; F7B-108 & 105.

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).

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

COMINGS AND GOINGS

A Fond Farewell!

Last week we said goodbye to Sarah Collision, Technician and Terrestrial Fieldwork Manager.  She’s not going far, however.  Just over to EPS/Environmental Sciences.  All the best for the new role!

Terrestrial Fieldwork in the interim

Our former Terrestrial Fieldwork Manager, Sarah Collison, has moved across to manage fieldwork in EPS/Environmental Sciences. Nick Harris (Marine Fieldwork Manager) will now be filling this role in the interim. Please see Nick for all your fieldwork queries and inductions moving forward. 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.

New PhD Student

Kate has just started a PhD with Mel Bishop in the benthic ecology lab. Her research will be looking at retro-fitment strategies for existing seawalls as part of the sustainable seawalls and world harbours projects. She is still finalising her focus but it will likely be on the effects that colour and texture of the settlement plate/tile have on settling communities and whether this is affected by location within the intertidal zone and in different sections of an estuary. She plans to then quantify the ecological benefits provided by retro-fitment solutions in economic terms. This would hopefully improve the attractiveness of using such approaches for biodiversity offsets in future development/infrastructure projects.

Kate is from Cape Town, South Africa. Her undergrad and postgrad studies have been split between the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University and focused on environmental science, marine biology, oceanography and fisheries science. Since finishing masters she has been working as an environmental and marine consultant for ERM and Lwandle Technologies, both based in Cape Town. Kate loves the outdoors and can’t wait to get involved with as much field work as possible, and is really looking forward to exploring NSW’s running and mountain biking trails!

Welcome to Dr Michael Stat      

Michael joins the department for six months and will be teaching BIOL368 Evolutionary Ecology in S1. Michael was most recently at Curtin University in WA. He uses genetic techniques to address questions on the biodiversity, biogeography and adaptation of marine organisms. He has a particular interest in the evolution and ecology of coral-algal symbiosis and in the conservation of coral reef ecosystems. More recently he has been exploring how environmental DNA (eDNA) can reveal incredible insights into biodiversity across the tree of life, its application in the surveillance of marine invasive species and in understanding food web dynamics.

RESEARCH OUTCOMES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Funding Congratulations!

Congratulations to our successful MQ Research Infrastructure Scheme (Large) Funding applicants:

• Dr Fleur Ponton and colleagues for Pipetting robot
• Dr Matthew Bulbert and colleagues for High Resolution Macro & Micro Digital Imaging System

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>

VWS Application Form 2018

VWS Application Form 2018

One for the R Enthusiasts

LEARNING AND TEACHING

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).

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.

Unit Guides –  Exam Info to Include in:

Each unit guide where there is a final exam must provide information on supplementary exams. Please include this wording, including links to relevant pages:

“If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.”

And additionally, only for units with a final examination hurdle:

“If you are given a second opportunity to sit the final examination as a result of failing to meet the minimum mark required, you will be offered that chance during the same supplementary examination period and will be notified of the exact day and time after the publication of final results for the unit.”

100 Level Unit Convenors

Please note that the Faculty Board has resolved that, from S1 2018, all 100-level units in the Faculty will have a compulsory (hurdle) requirement on participation in tutorials, practicals and laboratories.

• It is participation not attendance, however this could be a simple as the staff member observing the students and ticking a box.
• It’s a hurdle requirement e.g. 10 out 12 but no need for second chances. If the convenor wants more, they need to talk to Michael Hitchens.
• Needs to be in the unit guides and clearly conveyed to students.
• Doesn’t need to be a separate hurdle for tutorials, practicals and laboratories.

In addition, all 100-level units are required to run a tutorial in the first week of session. This tutorial should be used to introduce students to each other, the tutor and the subject in an engaging way. Contact fse-lt@mq.edu.au for activity ideas.

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

Worm Farm and Tea Bags

Our worms are healthy and enjoying the lovely coffee, banana and salad scraps you’ve been providing. The worm farm is about to be refreshed, with lovely worm castings available for the home veggie garden. A quick inspection reveals a layer of tea bags and tags. Further investigation, via google, has revealed some interesting information about tea bags:

1. Most teabags (including the Dilmah tea supplied by the department) is 70-80% biodegradable
2. T2 tea bags are made of Nylon (not biodegradable)
3. Loose leaf tea is fully biodegradable and tastes better

Therefore, for the sake of our worms, our gardens and or planet, please switch to loose-leaf tea, or non-T2 teabags where possible. If you absolutely must use a T2 tea bag, or a bag sealed with a staple, please throw the used bag into the general waste, not the worm container. If you would like to take home some worm castings for your garden, please email Samantha Newton, <samantha.newton@mq.edu.au>

JOB POSITIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cape Research And Diver Development

Cape RADD is a marine field course which specialises in scientific SCUBA diving and free diving as approaches to data collection on the marine ecology of South Africa. We facilitate training courses for individuals or groups who want to learn more about the marine environment, conservation and research through hands on field experience and diver development. Cape RADD courses include training in multiple data collection and field operation techniques, theoretical workshops and presentations from field biologists and dive experts in their field.

As a Cape RADD student you will enroll in a fascinating and hugely rewarding program that will give students a hands on experience and valuable contribution to the marine research projects taking place at Cape RADD. The field training and diver development program gives students an opportunity to be involved with valuable research projects, collecting data and gaining knowledge and understanding of the techniques, methods and challenges experienced in the field whilst working alongside field biologists and dive experts. Throughout this course students will also complete theoretical workshops on subjects relating to your practical training.
This program is designed for students and graduates with a marine biology interest looking to gain extra knowledge and field experience in their area of training to gain new skills and show some real life experience on their CV. For more information about the research projects please visit www.caperadd.com

AUSTRALIAN Cape RADD course poster

Two Research Positions in Plant Science (Biosecurity) at JCU – Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow

The Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow is an ongoing appointment; the Postdoctoral Fellow is a three year appointment. The two positions will be appointed together. We seek outstanding scientists with complementary capabilities to build an internationally significant research team in plant and environmental biosecurity, with scope to also contribute to research in the fields of ethnobotany and biology of crop wild relatives. Particularly relevant skill sets include genetics, systematics, ecology, bioinformatics and niche modelling.

These vacancies are now open and interested persons can access further details and apply online via Jobs@JCU (under ‘Current Vacancies’ search for position numbers 16248 – Postdoctoral Research Fellow and 16249 – Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow). Applications will close at Midnight on 1 March 2018.

16248 & 16249 – positions briefs

June 10 – July 6, 2018
Applications Accepted: Now through January 29, 2018.

The SFI Complex Systems Summer School (CSSS) offers an intensive 4-week introduction to complex behavior in mathematical, physical, living, and social systems. Lectures are taught by the faculty of the Santa Fe Institute (SFI). The school is for students and professionals seeking to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and ask big questions about real-world complex systems.

The program consists of an intensive series of lectures, labs, and discussion sessions focusing on foundational concepts, tools, and current topics in complexity science. Participants collaborate in developing novel research projects throughout the 4 weeks of the program that culminate in final presentations and papers.

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals are eligible to apply. Women and members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

More Information and to Apply: santafe.edu/CSSS

New Publications

In the Media

Recent Completions

Maria Vozzo submitted her thesis entitled “Sources of spatio-temporal variation in habitat provisioning by the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata

Supervised by Associate Professor Melanie Bishop

---

Simon Klein submitted his thesis entitled “Causes and consequences of individual forager variability in social bees.”

Supervised by Associate Professor Andrew Barron

---