BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | July 29, 2016

Dear all,

We had a great few days at G2G Outlook with some fascinating and even confronting talks (those who were there will know what I mean!) – thanks to Michael Gillings and the G2G team for their organisation. Next week we have the regular department meeting on Tuesday at lunchtime – these meetings are important for everyone to catch up with colleagues and know what is happening around the Department and Faculty – all welcome! And please come along to the next of our PhD completion seminars on Thursday at 3pm, followed by drinks and nibbles.

cheerio

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 1st – 5th August

Tue 2nd: Department meeting; 1pm – 2pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 3rd: Morning tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11:00am; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Wed 3rd: Departmental Seminar – Dr Gabriel Machovsky-Capuska; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Thu 4th: Morning tea at the Plant Growth Facility to celebrate the commissioning of the new growth cabinets; 10am.

Thu 4th: HDR Completion Seminar – Elke Vermeulen; 3pm – 3:30pm, followed by drinks and nibbles; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Fri 5th: Special Seminar – Dr Allison Daley (University of Oxford); 1pm – 2pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Following week 8th – 12th August

Wed 10th: Morning tea with HoD; 10:30am – 11:00am; The Hill.

Wed 10th: Departmental Seminar – Alison Downing; 1pm – 2pm; E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Coming up

Aug 20th; Open Day.

Sept 15th; Department Secret Safety Activity

Sept 19th: ECR research showcase day.

Sept 20th: Graduation for biological sciences, 2.30-4pm.

Oct 26th; Faculty Safety day

Oct 31st: Applications for domestic (APA) PhD scholarships due.

General News and Announcements

Plant Growth Facility celebration

To celebrate the commissioning of our new plant growth cabinets we are having a morning tea with special guests DVC-Research Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Dean Bernard Mans and representatives from Property and industry. All biology staff and students are welcome but for catering purposes please RSVP by Tuesday via this link.

Curriculum evolution

The renovation of the curriculum continues, with the next big step being the development of two new 200-level units to replace BIOL208 Animal Structure & Function and BIOL210 Plant Structure and Function. The new units will be BIOL228 Organismal Biology and BIOL229 Comparative Physiology, convened by John Alroy and Brian Atwell respectively. These units are an exciting new development in our teaching program and provide the opportunity to really transform the student learning experience in biology. John & Brian presented an update on the units’ development on Thursday and are seeking more input such as ideas on pracs and lecture content. I have attached their presentations here (BIOL228 and BIOL229). Please have a look and talk with John & Brian about your ideas.

Departmental Seminar

Date/Day/Time/Location: 3rd August, Wednesday, 1-2pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Speaker: Dr Gabriel Machovsky-Capuska (USYD, Charles Perkins Centre)

Title: Diving into field nutritional ecology

Abstract: Understanding the relationships between nutrition, behaviour, ecology, morphology and physiology is a central aim in nutritional ecology. Nutrition is a complex process that involves mixtures of nutrients parcelled at different ratios that fluctuate in dynamic environments. Foragers have continuously adapted to these changes to meet their own nutritional requirements. Nutritional Geometry (NG) has simplified the complexities of modelling foods in relation to foraging behaviour, geographic location and social interactions, providing a novel ecological view of nutrition. Field-based nutritional ecology studies have the challenge to overcome complex logistical constrains to collect reliable data. Nevertheless, NG has been increasingly used to contribute to the development of a conceptual framework for the study of animal nutrition in the wild. Here, I will present some examples that span a range of species (from fish, to mammals, including fish, gannets, dolphins and gorillas) and research habitats (marine and terrestrial animals in the wild), contexts (wildlife conservation, companion animal nutrition, biological invasions and production animals) and objectives (generalist-specialist concept).

Are you new?  Do you want to give a Seminar?

If you are a new Postdoc in the Department and want to get the message out about your research, there is no better way than signing up to give a 50 or 25 min seminar for the Department.  Please contact Dan Warren <dan.warren@mq.edu.au> or Fleur Ponton <fleur.ponton@mq.edu.au> to arrange a time.

Have your say: investment in national research infrastructure 
The Government is presently seeking feedback on its National Research Infrastructure Capability Issues paper.  The  Issues paper will inform the development of a road map for investment in national research infrastructure. The road map will set out the key priority areas for investments in creation, re-investment, decommissioning or defunding of projects and facilities. We will discuss at the department meeting on Tues 2 August so please come prepared with any suggestions. Alternatively, you can email feedback to Melanie Bishop (melanie.bishop@mq.edu.au) by Mon 15 August.

2016-National-Research-Infrastructure-Capability-Issues-Paper

2016_research_infrastructure_roadmap_submission_template

From our roving reporter on research metrics (aka Andy Beattie)

I recommend an interesting article from Nature 14 July, written by a Professor of Law and Science and Technology at UC Davis. Two quotes from it: 1) All metrics of scientific evaluation are bound to be abused, 2) The audit culture of universities – their love affair with metrics, impact factors, citation statistics and rankings – does not just incentivize this new form of bad behavior. It enables it. You can read it here.

Also of interest is this article on how editors of major journals are rejecting impact factors – you can find that here.

Special Seminar

Date/Day/Time/Location: 5th August, Fridayday, 1-2pm, E8A-280 (Biology Tea Room).

Speaker: Dr Allison Daley (University of Oxford)

Title: The Cambrian Explosion and Earth’s Earliest Predators

Abstract: The Cambrian Explosion was a major biodiversification event that saw the rise of nearly all animal phyla in a rapid evolutionary burst over 500 million years ago. The anomalocaridids are iconic members of these early animal ecosystems, owing to their large size, bizarre morphology and complicated history of description. In this talk, I will discuss the ecology and evolutionary significance of the anomalocaridids. These animals have been interpreted as highly specialised apex predators attacking trilobites, but my research has shown that they actually employed a diverse range of feeding strategies, including generalised predation and even suspension feeding. Anomalocaridids occupied a critical position in the early evolutionary lineage of the arthropods, and their morphology helps us to understand the evolution of key features of this successful animal phylum, including biramous limbs, exoskeletons and head appendages.

Workshop Announcement for Environmental Scientists

Workshop on Water & Nutrients in Soils & Plants

Improve your research and management skills with this one-day workshop on advanced techniques and instrumentation for measuring and monitoring water and nutrients in soils and plants.

Already we have received significant interest from researchers, engineers and growers across diverse fields including soil science and soil columns, plant physiology, horticulture, viticulture, wastewater and biogeochemistry.

Places are limited so reserve one now.

Read more details on the workshop here.

Plant of the Week – Hardenbergia violacea – False Sarsparilla or Purple Coral Pea

Scholarship Alert: 2017 APA/MQRES Round Open and Application Due Dates

2017 APA Application Processing Timetable FINAL

SIMS Job Opportunity

SIMS is currently looking for a new Facility Assistant – please find attached a copy of the position description for circulation.

The primary purpose of the Facility Assistant is to support senior technical staff with the day to day operation of research facilities as well as assist with the maintenance and upkeep of SIMS vehicles, vessels and field equipment.

Applications can be sent to hr@sims.org.au by 15^th August 2016.

SIMS Facility Assistant

Job Opportunity

PART-TIME MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

The Ecological Society of Australia is seeking to appoint a part-time Media Communications Officer to work directly with our Media Working Group to deliver a suite of media and communication services that will enhance public awareness of ecology and ecological research, and its relevance to environmental policy and biodiversity management and conservation. We are looking for someone who can help the Society improve and promote external communication and outreach initiatives, help us build skills and resources for public liaison and communication with the media, and develop mechanisms to effectively engage with the public to build ecological awareness.

The ideal candidate must display excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated organizational abilities and evidence of success in media communications, public outreach and liaison. An understanding of ecological and conservation sciences will be an advantage.

This position may be offered as a part-time employee contract or as a service provider contract (equivalent to 1 day per week, ~7.5 hours per week).

Contact:

Gail Spina, Executive Officer

E: executiveofficer@ecolsoc.org.au

M: 0409 279 068

Applications close: Monday August 29, 2016.

New Publications

In the Media

Recent Completions