BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT MATTERS | June 10, 2016

Dear all,

Thanks to all who came to the department meeting this week – you can find the slides here.

Next week is our annual HDR conference on Wednesday and Thursday – I look forward to seeing all staff and students there for what should be a fantastic 2 days of research talks, followed by the social event of posters, drinks and pizza from 3pm on Thursday – see you there!

Have a great long weekend,

Michelle

Save the Date

This coming week 14th – 17th June

Wed 15th – Thurs 16th June; 2016 Annual HDR Conference; 9am onwards each day; Location E8A labs.

Thursday 16th June; MRes poster session, announcement of HDR conference prizes and DRINKS from 3pm; E8C foyer.

The following week 20th – 24th June

Wed 22nd; Morning Tea with HoD; 10:30 – 11:00am; E8A-280 (tea room).

Coming up

July 5th; Formal Department meeting for S1 grades

July 31st; applications for PhD scholarships due

Aug 20th; Open Day

General News and Announcements

Pride of Place

Muhammad Masood’s Paper, Two Oyster Species That Show Differential Susceptibility to Virus Infection Also Show Differential Proteomic Responses to Generic dsRNA, made the cover of “Journal of Proteome Research” June 3, 2016, Volume 15, Issue 6.  You can see the cover here.

Which platform do you prefer for online collaboration with colleagues? Google Drive or Office 365?

As you probably know, the switch from gmail to Office365 has meant that many Google applications (including mail) associated with gmail have been switched off. One that has remained is Google Drive (or Googledocs) – this is a tool for collaboration on Word and other documents (spreadsheets, powerpoint) – it allows multiple users to view and edit simultaneously. You may have used Google Drive if working on documents as part of team, or to enter info for the schedule of units or programs (not webforms, but the spreadsheets circulated by faculties/departments).

In This Week at Macquarie, the University is running a poll to determine University staff preferences with respect to collaborative tools. They are only giving the choice of Google Drive or Office365.

If you are a user of either or both, and have an opinion about which you prefer, we urge you to go to This Week (http://www.mq.edu.au/thisweek/), scroll down to the Notices section (because the useful stuff is conveniently placed right near the bottom), follow the link to the poll, and vote. Just the once, mind.”

Round 2, Departmental Strategic Research Funding closes 29 July

A reminder to continuing academics that Round 2 of the Departmental Strategic Research Funding closes on 29 July, so start planning your applications now! Applications can be for up to $5000 for the activities listed in the attached funding rules. The application process is not onerous (< 1 page). The scheme was under-subscribed in round 1, so chances are that if you propose something worthwhile, that conforms with the funding rules, you are likely to be funded! Any questions about eligibility should be directed to Melanie <melanie.bishop@mq.edu.au>.

Plant of the Week!

Scaevola aemula – Fairy Fan Flower

Updated Plant species list for the Ecology Reserve

The dedicated team at The Downing Herbarium have just finished updating the plant species list for the Ecology Reserve.  Please see below.

MacUni Ecology Reserve Plant Species List_May 2016_KM (excel)

MacUni Ecology Reserve species list May 2016_KM (word)

NCI HPC Training Course

Macquarie University, in conjunction with the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) is presenting a one-day course “Introduction to Raijin” on Monday 20 June 2016 in Continuum Meeting Room located on Level 3, 75 Talavera Road.  Raijin is the NCI’s 1.2 petaflop peak high-performance computing system. This course is designed to help new users get started on Raijin. Topics to be covered in the course include:

1. NCI Brief Overview
2. Accounts, Projects and Resources
3. Connecting to Raijin
4. Raijin Software Environment
5. Resource Quotas
6. Batch Processing on Raijin
7. Filesystems
8. Performance and Parallel Programming Tips and Tricks
9. Question and Answer, and Individual Consultation

The course combines lectures and practical exercises. Attendees are expected to bring a laptop computer with internet access and a Unix command line terminal application such as putty (windows) or terminal (Mac.) The optimum course size is 20-25 attendees. No prior knowledge of Linux or high-performance computing is assumed, however attendees with some Linux command line knowledge and experience will get the most from the course.

If you are panning to attend, please also let Irina Zakoshanski know at <sci.research@mq.edu.au>.

Life Sciences Guide in relation to export controls

Defence Export Controls (DEC) has been consulting with a Life Sciences Working Group to create a guide to assist the sector in understanding to export controls regarding the physical export, intangible supply or brokering of life sciences related goods, software and technology.  The result is the attached guide which was approved and published on 20 April 2016.  The guide can also be accessed via the following link on DEC’s website – http://www.defence.gov.au/deco/LifeSciences.asp

Life Sciences Guide

Research facilities on the NSW Far South Coast

Research facilities are available at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre (SCMDC) in Eden on the far south coast of NSW. The Sapphire Coast is a wonderful area for marine wildlife and offers a beautiful and biodiverse environment to cover a wide array of research topics. A major role of the SCMDC is to “facilitate research into the temperate marine environment”.  Onsite we have a marine laboratory to support visiting researchers and students. The lab is equipped with the following:

• stainless steel benches
• fresh water and deep work sinks
• overhead power
• basic microscopes
• storage areas
• refrigerator and freezer
• wireless broadband internet
• scientific staff on hand to assist

Exclusive use of the laboratory is charged at only $100/day (inc. GST) with all the above included.

The staff at SCMDC have a large network of local contacts to further support researchers and students. We have strong links with local industry and community and can assist in organizing volunteers to help with your work if required. Even if you do not need to use the facilities, please call in to the centre or make contact with us if you are planning on visiting the Sapphire Coast region to conduct research, as we are willing to offer assistance in other ways.

If you would like any more information please contact me or visit www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

Sydney Chapter – Society for Conservation Biology

We have two events coming up in June:

Conservation Cafe: THIS SATURDAY 11th June, Macquarie’s own Julia Riley and James Baxter-Gilbert will join us for a chat about conservation and canada’s reptiles. It will start at 10am at the Learning Centre, Education Precinct, Centennial Park. This is a free event and includes morning-tea nibblies.

For more information and to RSVP on Eventbrite (https://conservationcafejune2016.eventbrite.com.au)

Scientific Illustration Workshop:

Sydney Society for Conservation Biology presents a Scientific Illustration Workshop. It is designed for people of all skill levels, no artistic or scientific expertise is required.  The workshop will be led by scientific illustrator Erin Walsh, based out of the Australian National University. Erin Walsh has been a professional scientific illustrator for five years. She has worked in a wide range of mediums, from traditional pen and paper through to 3D computer modelling.

This workshop will cover:

• What makes a scientific illustration more than just…illustration
• Three key scientific illustration skills (or: how we learned to not use photos and love the drawing)
• Artistic techniques to make your life easier
• Working with deadlines, scientists, and printeries

Price:

$5 for Sydney SCB members

$7 for for non-members

For more information and tickets, go to our Eventbrite (https://scientificillustration2016.eventbrite.com.au)

Room to Let

Master bedroom in our house in Eastwood will be available soon. It comes furnished (BYO mattress), with a full length built in wardrobe, window seat with leadlight windows and a nice looking chimney. Looking for someone reasonably long term (min. stay 4 months). Rent is $190/week, plus bills. Bond is $700. 5 minutes walk to Eastwood shops, 10 minutes walk to Eastwood Station. Now/soon available.

Let me know, if you are keen to check it out.

Phone: 0472542016; E-Mail: caroline.candebat@students.mq.edu.au

For more details: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/eastwood/flatshare-houseshare/large-house-close-to-eastwood-train-station-with-3-room-mates/1115039041

New Publications

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